By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri Extension is enhancing its network of weather stations to provide valuable information on soil moisture conditions across the state.
This initiative, led by Michael Sunde, State Natural Resources Specialist, and Zack Leasor, State Climatologist, aims to improve flood and drought forecasting and response.
By adding new soil moisture sensors to the existing network of 45 weather stations, MU Extension will contribute to a statewide soil and atmospheric monitoring plan.
The collected data will be used to create daily updated soil moisture maps using machine learning technology.
“Sound science and data are essential elements for developing informative statewide soil moisture and temperature maps,” says Sunde. “This work will provide state and federal partners a monitoring plan to guide the expansion of long-term soil and atmospheric monitoring stations across the state.”
The expanded soil moisture data will be invaluable for studying droughts and floods, which have significantly impacted Missouri's environment and agricultural economy.
The Missouri Mesonet, established in 2000, currently measures various weather parameters including air temperature, soil temperature, rainfall, humidity, solar radiation, and temperature inversions.
The Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership, part of the MU School of Natural Resources, will use geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and environmental modeling to analyze the collected data and provide practical information for the agricultural community.
This project is a collaborative effort between MU Extension, the Missouri Mesonet, the Missouri Climate Center, the Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership, the Missouri Hydrological Information Center, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
It is supported by the Flood Recovery Advisory Working Group, convened by Missouri Governor Mike Parson.
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