Weather and climate plays critical role in all aspect of socio-economic activities. Timely availability of weather and climate information significantly reduces vulnerability of these activities. As a result, Kentucky Climate Center (KCC) has taken an initiative to establish a Mesonet to provide near real-time weather data for the citizens of the state. Funding for the first phase of Mesonet establishment is transferred through the National Weather Service.

With potential funding for the second phase, our intent is to establish about 100 stations across KY and collect and disseminate data for precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and soil moisture and temperature up to 1 meter. Instruments will be mounted on and around a 10 meter tower. It is expected that the data will be collected every 5 minutes and available through the world wide web every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day and throughout every day of a year. This paper discusses the rationale for selected instrumentation package and benefits of current collaboration and partnerships between the KCC and the NOAA, the National Park Service, the NRCS, and various local government offices. We believe our learning is valuable for other similar initiatives.