2.5.19 - A year in, the New York State Mesonet comes into its own for weather tracking
'The New York State Mesonet, based at the University at Albany, consists of more than 126 weather stations that literally blanket the state, with each one located about 20 miles apart, or the width of a typical thunderstorm system. Every five minutes, the stations upload 20 data points including precipitation measurements, wind speed, humidity, even solar radiation as well as photos.'
'On Tuesday, UAlbany meteorologists showed off the system for members of the media to commemorate the completion of the system’s first anniversary, with final installation of the 126th station a year ago. While about half the states have mesonets, UAlbany staffers view New York's as particularly important due to the volume of people and commerce, as well as the weather variability, that exists in the Empire State.'
'While they are professional weather watchers, people like Williamson, Talamo, and Brotzge don’t have an actual view of the sun, rain or snow that may be developing outside, since their current location is in the sub-basement amid a warren of tunnels underneath UAlbany’s podium or academic quad area. By 2021, though, they are scheduled to be in UAlbany’s new Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex going up on the Harriman state campus.'