Texas Tech University News & Publications Lubbock, TX 79409-2022
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MESONET SYSTEM TO PROVIDE FUTURE RELIEF
LUBBOCK -- Texas and many other states in the South that are currently suffering through drought conditions may be better prepared to handle future droughts due to a weather tracking system Texas Tech University researchers are developing.
The system known as MesoNet will be a network of weather tracking and monitoring stations. The stations will provide information on increaesed soil temperature and moisture that will help farmers in the planning of planting, irrigating and harvesting of crops.
"We can help farmers better use available water both in good times and bad," said Tim Doggett, Ph.D., assistant professor of geosciences at Texas Tech. "If we can conserve water during the good times that will lessen the effects during the drought period like we're having now."
The MesoNet system will also help weather forecasters predict severe thunderstorms. "With the MesoNet data we'll be able to predict where thunderstorms are apt to develop, which thunderstorms are apt to become severe. That will save both lives and money for the general public," said Doggett.
MesoNet will also have an effect on utility companies by helping them determine power consumption needs of a region by pinpointing hotter or colder areas. The result could be lower utility costs for residents.
During floods, measurements from MesoNet could assist hydrologists in forecasting runoff. Also transportation companies will be able to know how wind and weather will affect driving conditions.
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