Futureproofing Your Mesonet - Considerations from a Developing Network

Through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet (Wisconet) has been able to rapidly develop and grow. Starting with 14 existing stations across eight counties in 2023, Wisconet expanded to 44 stations in 37 counties by August 2024. Eighty stations across all 72 Wisconsin counties are expected to be operational by the summer of 2025. Given significant initial investments to build out a network and the benefits of a network’s data to its stakeholders, long-term plans for mesonet development and operations are essential.

Using examples from Wisconet’s development, we examine ways to futureproof mesonets – from stakeholder engagement, field infrastructure (land use and system technology), backend infrastructure (data collection platforms and web technologies), and program personnel. Examples include roadmapping and course corrections, simplicity of design and standardization, diversifying your infrastructure, and staff development. Through these real-life examples, we hope to demonstrate to existing and developing mesonets, as well as those who desire to build a network in the future, ways to build resilient and long-lasting networks that serve the needs of all stakeholders.