Washington State University’s automated weather station network, is testing a national forecasting model as a tool to predict weather systems, such as hail or freezes, in the state’s tree fruit and grape growing regions. AgWeatherNet, a network of 137 automated weather stations across Washington State, provides current weather conditions updated every 15 minutes, but does not predict air temperature, dew points, wind speed or wind direction. Adding weather predictions would allow growers to make more informed decisions, says Dr. ­Gerritt Hoogenboom, network director. The forecasts could be integrated into models relating to growing degree days, irrigation scheduling, cold hardiness of […]