A Message from the Director

Please consider supporting your local Mesonet station. Accurate, localized weather and water data are essential—for protecting livelihoods, supporting agricultural decision-making, and predicting and preparing for extreme events such as drought, floods and fire.

In an effort to fill critical monitoring gaps in Montana’s rural areas we launched the Montana Mesonet in 2016 with $85,000 from the Montana Research and Economic Development Initiative and a handful of grass root partners and efforts. Since then, thanks to strong partnerships and over $21 million in federal grants and contracts, we have built the weather network to 170 stations, with 79 more funded for construction by 2027.

Officially part of the NOAA National Mesonet Program and the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Network, data from our network are being used by:

  • The National Weather Service for weather forecasts,
  • NOAA River Forecast Centers for streamflow predictions,
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for reservoir and flood management, and
  • The Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee for drought monitoring.

These data also directly support more accurate drought characterization by the U.S. Drought Monitor, which triggers federal disaster relief programs that have disbursed over $1.12 billion in assistance to Montana agricultural producers since 2012.

Beyond federal impact, we’re building tools based upon University of Montana Science to benefit Montana’s producers directly and improve on-farm cost savings. These include plant-available water calculators based upon soil property analysis, reference evapotranspiration, irrigation calculators, inversion modeling for spraying applications, satellite estimates of productivity, cattle comfort indices, and growing degree day models tailored for Montana’s key crops.

Unfortunately, federal funding in support of maintenance and operation of the Mesonet is uncertain, and the University-operated network currently receives no direct financial support from the state.

Thank you for your consideration. Together, I hope we can preserve this critical infrastructure and continue building tools that serve Montana’s producers and communities.

Kelsey Jencso

Funding Map of Mesonet Stations

This map shows all stations within the Montana Mesonet and its current supporters. Click on a station to see details.


Support of the Montana Mesonet

The operations and maintenance of the Montana Mesonet require more than you might initially think! This includes data transmission fees, equipment upgrades, computing infrastructure, web tool development, IT and field staffing, site travel, and maintenance costs for each station.

The Montana Mesonet received tremendous support for the development and short-term maintenance primarily from federal partners. Unfortunately, federal funding in support of the Mesonet is uncertain, and the University-operated network currently receives no direct financial support from the state.

Consider helping sustain the Montana Mesonet. This donation can be for the Mesonet efforts as a whole or dedicate your contribution to a station important to you or your area.

Learn more about the AgriMet and HydroMet!

Exposure

The Montana Mesonet dashboard has over 100,000 views per year! The users of the Montana Mesonet include all entities affected by drought, floods, climate events in their land-based livelihoods and require live data and advanced modeling to best adapt to current and future conditions. The users are your partners and customers.

Sponsorship Levels

Annual Friend: $25 – $999

Annual Partner: $1000 – $2,499

  • Donor name and logo listed on supporter page on Montana Mesonet website
  • Donor name and logo listed in Mesonet newsletters

Annual Station Collaborator: $2,500 AgriMet or $8,000 HydroMet/Year

  • Highlight a specific station with your support
    • $2,500 for Agrimet station
    • $8,000 for Hydromet station
  • Donor name and logo listed on Mesonet dashboard as part of Station Sponsors section
  • Donor name and logo listed on supporter page on Montana Mesonet website
  • Donor name and logo listed on the specific station page of the Mesonet Dashboard
  • Donor name and logo listed in Mesonet newsletters

2-Year Station Champion: $4,000+ AgriMet or $14,000+ HydroMet

  • Requires 2+ year commitment at Station Sponsor level (see above)
  • Exclusive sponsorship: only one available per station in a given year, and only available for stations without current a station sponsor
  • Donor name and logo listed on metal sign at station indicating station sponsorship (in camera view, HydroMet only)
  • Donor name and logo listed on Mesonet dashboard as part of Station Sponsor section
  • Donor name and logo listed on supporter page on Montana Mesonet website
  • Donor name and logo listed on the specific station page of the Mesonet Dashboard
  • Donor name and logo listed in Mesonet newsletters

Other Support Opportunities

Other supporters and partnerships are available and may include targeted research, support of enhanced tools for the dashboard, and improved predictive modeling.