Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mesonet?
A mesonet is a network of weather stations with close enough proximity to observe and track mesoscale weather events, such as fronts, thunderstorms, and precipitation bands. Mesonet systems typically collect data on atmospheric conditions, solar energy, soil moisture, and soil temperature. Mesonet data is used for weather forecasting, alternative energy development, agriculture, and for fire, flood, and freeze warnings, among other applications.
When did the Texmesonet start?
May 2016.
What measurements are collected by stations within the network?
All TWDB stations measure rainfall, temperature, soil moisture, and soil temperature. Some stations also monitor atmospheric pressure, wind speed and directions, gusts, relative humidity, and solar radiation. Other provider network stations may or may not contain all sensors.
Who provides the data from the stations that are not owned or maintained by the Texas Water Development Board?
TWDB partners with a number of regional and local entities as well as the National Weather Service to provide data from across the state. The complete list of partner networks is available here.
How often are the measurements updated on the website?
The site is updated every 5 minutes. The update schedules for each station, however, vary.
How do I download data?
Users can create and download custom data sets from the Custom Downloads page. Near real time data can also be accessed through the TexMesonet Viewer by clicking on an individual station and accessing the “Graphs” tab. Click “Download Historical Data” to be redirected to do so.
How far back does collected data go?
It depends on the station. TWDB Stations were first brought online in 2016. The period of record is different for each station and new stations are continually added.
How do I request a custom data download?
Visit the Custom Downloads page to build and download custom data sets. If the data cannot be obtained from there, contact the TWDB at TexMesonet@twdb.texas.gov for assistance
Who should I contact if I have a comment or question about this website?
Contact the team at TexMesonet@twdb.texas.gov.