The National Mesonet Program

In 2009, following the release of the National Academy of Science's "From the Ground Up" report, Congress provided funding for the establishment of the National Weather Service's National Mesonet Program. The Oklahoma Mesonet, referred to in that report as the "Gold Standard" for a mesoscale observing network, was a founding partner in the national effort. During the last 6 years, the program has grown to encompass more than two-dozen networks covering all 50 states, with more than 8000 stations. Most recently, the National Mesonet has grown to encompass a variety of boundary layer observing technologies that are expanding the traditional understanding of the concept of a "mesonet," and is serving as a prime example of a successful collaboration among government, the private sector, and academia for leveraging non-federal observations in National Weather Service operations. This talk will review recent developments, look to the future, and reflect on Professor Crawford's fundamental contributions.