Kenkel, Noms
Real-Time Weather Information 371
We would like to determine if farmers and ranchers like yourself would be interested in these
services. Mesonet is a multi-user system (agricultural civil defense, education, media,
utilities, etc.), and we must develop priorities for information products. Because there are
not sufficient funds to develop and distribute all of the potential Mesonet products, we also
need to know what level of fee you would be willing to pay for access to a particular
program(s) or advisory service(s).
Your anonymous response will not commit you to any subscription or enrollment. This
information will help us use our limited development funds to most efficiently meet the need
in Oklahoma (both agricultural and non-agricultural).
MESONET
DESCRIPTION
Mesonet consists of 108 automated weather stations which are located throughout Oklahoma
(an average of 19 miles apart). The Mesonet sensors at each local station monitor weather
and soil parameters at 5 minute intervals and relay the information every 15 minutes to a
central base station and to individual Mesonet users.
BENEFITS
The Mesonet system is one of the most densely-spaced networks in the U.S. Farmers and
ranchers subscribing to the Mesonet system will receive information about their current local
weather conditions. This service has never been previously available. Mesonet will provide
15 environmental measurements from 108 weather stations with the measurements updated
every 15 minutes, including wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity,
solar radiation, barometric pressure, rainfall, soil temperature and leaf wetness.
11. Please indicate the maximum amount which you would be willing to pay each month to
have convenient 24 hour∕day access to the kind of weather data described above. This
weather data would be available at a site within 20 miles of your location as well as other
parts of the state.
I would not be willing to pay for access, and would not use this information
I would use this information only if it was provided free
$ 1- $5 per month
$6-$ 10 per month
$ 11—$25 per month
$26-$50 per month
$50 or more per month
OTHER BENEFITS
Mesonet will also include decision models created by extension specialists which analyze
and interpret weather data for application by farmers and ranchers. Examples of these
decision aids available to farmers and ranchers include:
* Irrigation - Optimal scheduling based on local temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and
crop needs.