LEAD, S.D. – A new weather monitoring station is now online in Lead, giving forecasters and residents more detailed information about weather conditions in the northern Black Hills.
The station, located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, is part of South Dakota State University’s Mesonet network, a statewide system of weather stations that collects highly localized weather data. The equipment measures temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, atmospheric pressure, snow depth, soil moisture, and other conditions.
Meteorologists say the Black Hills’ rugged terrain creates unique and rapidly changing weather patterns, making additional data especially valuable for forecasting in communities like Lead.
Officials say the new station will help improve weather predictions, track drought conditions, monitor snowfall and provide important information for researchers and the public.
The Mesonet network is expected to grow to 158 stations statewide by the end of 2027, providing long-term weather data for communities across South Dakota.
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