Penn State launches statewide environmental monitoring network

Penn State has established a publicly available, environmental monitoring network to provide enhanced surveillance of atmospheric and soil conditions across Pennsylvania.

 Penn State Beaver Mesonet monitoring station diagram 

Each station is solar powered with battery backup and transmits one-minute measurements in real-time via a cell modem connection. Stations measure air temperature and relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, air pressure, rainfall, and feature an environmental camera that shows local conditions. This one is located at Penn State Beaver. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem
February 23, 2023

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has established a publicly available, environmental monitoring network to provide enhanced surveillance of atmospheric and soil conditions across Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Monitoring Network currently consists of 17 stations, with plans soon to more than double that number to 50 stations across the commonwealth. The network consists of monitoring equipment located at Penn State campuses and research facilities, state parks, and airports around the state.

The expanded network will site many stations at K-12 school campuses across the state and, through a collaboration with Greencastle-Antrim school district, STEM curriculum is being developed that will get real-time environmental data into classrooms.

 >> Read the full story on Penn State News.