A new partnership for the future of weather reporting
October 2, 2024
CFANS Research & Outreach Centers across the state partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to join the Minnesota Ag Weather Network.
The CFANS Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs) across Minnesota maintain some of the longest-standing weather records in the state and are trusted sources of accurate weather information within their communities. Building on this legacy, several ROCs are partnering with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to join and collect data for the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN). This project upgrades the ROCs’ existing weather stations with advanced technology that is standardized across the MDA’s network.
These upgrades will automatically feed weather data into ROC websites, enabling local farmers and producers to make day-to-day farm management decisions. Wind speed, humidity levels, temperature, and rainfall impact whether farmers can spray their crops or even get their heavy equipment into the field. Long-term weather data, like those managed by the ROCs, are also critical for scientists studying Minnesota’s changing climate and how weather patterns impact agricultural production.
ROCs in MAWN
So far, the Northwest ROC in Crookston, the Southern ROC in Waseca, and the Southwest ROC in Lamberton have been added to the MAWN initiative. Discussions are underway to add the West Central ROC in Morris and the North Central ROC in Grand Rapids as well. The Sand Plain Research Farm (SPRF) near Becker, previously part of North Dakota’s NDAWN weather network (on which MAWN is based), has also been integrated into the MAWN system.
Stefan Bischof, one of MDA’s leads on the MAWN project, said that partnering with the ROCs is a win-win scenario. “We are both working towards providing tools for farmers to help guide management decisions. A partnership with the ROCs is also a great outreach opportunity to showcase what information is available across the state.”
Each ROC’s website now automatically displays weather data collected through MAWN, ensuring that area residents can easily access up-to-date, localized weather information. “Partnering with the MDA in their initiative will support the important research conducted at the ROCs while providing a valuable resource to each ROC’s local community and stakeholders,” said Ron Faber, ROC Systems Director of Operations.
Ways to get involved
In addition to accessing MAWN weather data on the ROC websites, there are more ways the public can engage with MAWN and utilize the weather stations across the state:
- The MDA is soliciting applications from those within agricultural areas to be a weather station site location. Given Minnesota’s variable climate, the MDA has set a goal of the MAWN initiative to provide accurate weather information within 20 miles of agricultural production.
- There is a free app for the weather network in which the user can set a favorite weather station and check real-time weather data updated every 5 minutes. The app can also send out alerts when there is an inversion in the area, which is valuable information for farmers spraying their fields. The app is called “NDAWN Inversion”.
