October 22, 2025 Country Life, Crops, Top Headline

By Brianna Smith

For farmers, weather is more than just coffee shop talk; it’s often a deciding factor in how the growing season will go. Ohio has experienced weather extremes over the last two years, from wet, cold springs to hot, dry summers. Drought conditions in the state have affected crops and pastures. More than ever, farmers want to understand not only the forecast but also the broader trends shaping rainfall, temperature, and weather conditions.

That’s the focus of Aaron Wilson, state climatologist of Ohio and assistant professor with Ohio State University Extension. Wilson says Ohio has historically been behind when it comes to weather monitoring, but new technology is beginning to close the gap.

We’ve relied on co-op stations and volunteer observers for years,” Wilson explained. That data has value, but it doesn’t always give farmers the insight and confidence they need to make in-field decisions. Mesonet stations change that.