The Overton Center has been collecting weather data of some type since 1968. This wealth of records has been, and continues to be, useful to many people both locally and across the state of Texas. With improvements in the technology used to collect weather data, we have been able to accumulate different types of data and with greater accuracy. The weather station sensors are calibrated annually and we have the ability to communicate with the station remotely via computer.
Since a major overhaul of the weather station equipment in 2004, we have been collecting potential evapotranspiration (PET) data. These numbers are used to calculate the water requirements of crops and landscape plants, thus allowing adjustment of irrigation schedules in a way that encourages efficient water use, reduces waste, and saves money. Reduction in over-watering also reduces pollution from fertilizer and chemical run-off into waterways. With projected increases in water demand as populations grow, conservation methods must be implemented now, as one method of addressing future needs. The Overton weather station is one of many belonging to the Texas ET Network, a central repository for weather data across the state.