The University of South Alabama is using a $3 million award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve weather prediction across the state.

The funding will allow for expansion of the South Alabama Mesonet, a ground-based weather monitoring system, from 26 to 46 stations, connecting areas previously covered only by satellite.

The first station in the expansion project will be installed at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery on April 9 and 10, 2026. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the plant Monday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m.

“I am tremendously excited about the installation of our first weather station of the Mesonet Expansion project,” said Dr. Sytske Kimball, professor of meteorology at USA. “I would like to thank Hyundai for their willingness to work with us to identify a suitable site and to also provide sponsorship for continued operation and maintenance of their weather station.”

Kimball launched the South Alabama Mesonet in 2004 with the long-term vision of expanding it into a comprehensive statewide system. The installation of a station at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama marks a significant milestone, bringing that vision closer to reality.

“Safety and preparedness are closely connected,” said HMMA’s Chief Safety Officer Stephen Tunnell. “By providing the location for this University of South Alabama Mesonet weather station, we’re not only strengthening our ability to respond proactively to severe weather but helping advance weather science that we hope will help save lives and property in communities through the state of Alabama.”

When the project is complete, 28 of Alabama’s 67 counties will be covered by the Mesonet. The stations collect 24 atmospheric and soil parameters every minute, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, soil temperature and moisture.

The information is used by a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, aviation, energy and forestry. The data are integrated into weather models and can help the National Weather Service issue more accurate severe weather and tornado alerts.

“The more weather stations we have in Alabama, the better we can protect life and property and ensure the continued success of Alabama’s economy,” Kimball said.