Automated stations deployed on Lake Erie near Erie, Pennsylvania, collect real-time meteorological and hydrological data. These platforms, equipped with sensors, measure parameters such as wind speed and direction, wave height, air and water temperature, and atmospheric pressure. This data is transmitted to shore and made publicly available.
Access to this information is vital for a range of stakeholders. Boaters, anglers, and other recreational users of the lake rely on these observations for safety and planning. Commercial shipping also benefits from accurate, up-to-the-minute conditions. Furthermore, meteorologists utilize the data to improve forecasting accuracy, particularly for localized events impacting the shoreline communities. The historical record provided by these stations allows for analysis of long-term trends and informs studies on climate change and its effect on the Great Lakes region.
