Automatic weather stations (AWSs) serve a number of goals in the SASSCAL context and beyond. A sufficient cover and density in geographical space is needed to record spatial climatic variability and to feed climate models and forecast services. In addition, research projects using an ecosystem approach require robust information on local weather. In response to these goals and under consideration of the low density of climate stations in the SASSCAL region (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia), the establishment of a network of weather stations was initiated in 2009-2010. The SASSCAL  network, meanwhile, includes 154 AWSs and has achieved a reputation for providing unprecedented progress in terms of coverage and access to climatic data for the SASSCAL region. This paper presents the most important strategic and technical steps, from setting up the station network for data transmission and data quality controls to the Internet publication of the SASSCAL WeatherNet climatic data.