Welcome to the 3D Mesonet
The Oklahoma 3D Mesonet is a first-of-its-kind atmospheric observing system that represents a significant leap forward in weather monitoring.
About
The Oklahoma 3D Mesonet integrates uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) with the Oklahoma Mesonet ground network to capture real-time, three-dimensional atmospheric data. Since December 2025, scientists from the Oklahoma Mesonet, the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO), and the OU School of Meteorology have been conducting quasi-operational UAS flights at the Washington, Oklahoma, Mesonet station as part of the National Mesonet Program (NMP). That site now also hosts flights from NMP partner, Meteomatics, expanding the depth and reach of this observing capability.
Upper-air Observations
For decades, National Weather Service (NWS) upper-air sites have regularly launched weather balloons (usually twice daily) to collect observations of wind, temperature, and humidity as they change with height. These vertical atmospheric profiles are key information in weather forecasting and critical inputs into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.
Increasing coverage of vertical profiles is key to enhancing the skill of NWP systems and therefore to improve the accuracy of forecasts and warnings. In addition to the NWS weather balloon sites, there has been explosive growth in upper-air data from other providers over the past several years using modern technologies, including the use of UAS to capture upper-air data much more often and at far greater density while being cost-effective.
Our Partners
Oklahoma Mesonet
Commissioned in 1994, the Oklahoma Mesonet is a network of environmental monitoring stations providing real-time weather data at 120 locations every five minutes. The Mesonet is a joint project of the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU).
National Weather Service (NWS)
The NWS is the U.S. government's primary provider of weather forecasts, warnings, and climate information for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
National Mesonet Program (NMP)
Led by Prime Contractor, KBR, and Lead Subcontractor, Synoptic Data PBC, the NMP is a nationwide "network of networks" for high-resolution weather data for research, forecasting, and decision-making purposes. The NMP partners with the NWS through the Commercial Observations Program to enhance the availability and quality of weather observations.
Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO)
CIWRO is a partnership between OU and NOAA that conducts interdisciplinary research to improve understanding and prediction of severe weather events. CIWRO develops the CopterSonde, a weather UAS.
Meteomatics
Meteomatics is a company that provides weather data and analytics to businesses to improve decision-making. Meteomatics also develops the Meteodrone system, a weather UAS.