In late October, the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) weather data collection modernized thanks to a new weather station provided by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The WCROC joined several other ROCs in partnering with the MDA to join and collect data for the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN). This project upgrades the ROCs’ current weather stations with technology that is standardized across the MDA’s network and provides current weather updates every 15 minutes.
The WCROC has a long and rich weather record dating back to 1885, which has provided local farmers with accurate and reliable information to make decisions on their farms. WCROC is one of six institutions nation-wide that have been presented with the United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 100-year institution award. 2025 will mark the 140th consecutive year of weather data collection at WCROC. These records are invaluable sources of weather trends in the region, supporting scientists and researchers as they study the changing climate of Minnesota.
“WCROC is honored to carry on the historic legacy of providing key weather data to our region. The advanced technology provided by the MDA brought our weather recording into the 21st century, joining the rest of the innovative work we conduct at WCROC. Our new weather station became operational in early November, and local residents can find that information automatically updated on our website,” said Mike Reese, WCROC Director of Operations.
Weather data is available at wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/weather and includes the current air temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and speed, current rainfall total, and more.
ROCs in the Network
So far, the Northwest ROC in Crookston, the Southern ROC in Waseca, and the Southwest ROC in Lamberton, and the West Central ROC in Morris have been added to the MAWN initiative. Discussions are underway to add 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.”
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 you alerts when there is an inversion in your area, which is valuable information for farmers spraying their fields. The app is called “NDAWN Inversion”.