Automatic weather station
An automatic weather station (AWS) is an automated version of the traditional
In the past, automatic weather stations were often placed where
One of the main advantages of an automatic weather station is that it can provide accurate and reliable weather data in remote, inaccessible or hazardous locations. The AWS can be programmed to alert authorities in case of severe weather events.
Sensors
Most automatic weather stations have[1][5]
- Thermometer for measuring temperature
- Anemometer for measuring wind speed
- Wind vane for measuring wind direction
- Hygrometer for measuring humidity
- Barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure
Some stations can also have[4]
- Ceilometer for measuring cloud height
- Present weather sensor and/or visibility sensor
- precipitation
- Ultrasonic snow depth sensor for measuring depth of snow
- solar radiation
Unlike manual weather stations,
Data-logger
The data-logger is the heart of the Automatic Weather Station.
In high quality weather stations, the data-logger may be designed by the supplier to be the perfect solution for a particular meteorological client.
Indeed, usually data-loggers found in the market don't fit the requirement in terms of power consumption, inputs, communication, protection against animals (ants, rats, etc.), humidity, salty air, sand, etc.
The main functions of a data-logger are:
- Measurement: the data-logger collects the information from every sensor and archives it.
- Calculation: the data-logger processes most of the meteorological data for the users (avg, min, max...).
- Data storage: the data-logger saves all the data either on its own memory or on uSD memory card.
- Power supply: the data-logger manages the power supply of the Automatic Weather Station, using a solar panel for instance.
- Communication: the data-logger manages the communication protocols with the remote server. The different communication protocols are usually uSD, and RS-232.
Enclosures
Enclosures used with automatic weather stations are typically weather proof fiberglass, ABS or stainless steel, With ABS being the cheapest, cast aluminium paint[7] or stainless steel the most durable and fiberglass being a compromise.[1]
Power supply
The main power source for an automatic weather station depends on its usage. Many stations with lower power equipment usually use one or more solar panels connected in parallel with a
Mast
The standard mast heights used with automatic weather stations are 2, 3, 10 and 30 meters. Other sizes are available, but typically these sizes have been used as standards for differing applications.[1]
- The 2-meter (6.6 ft) mast is used for the measurement of parameters that affect a human subject. The mast height is referenced to head height.
- The 3-meter (9.8 ft) mast is used for the measurement of parameters that affect crops (such as wheat, sugar cane etc.) The mast height is referenced to crop top.
- The 10-meter (33 ft) mast is used for the measurement of parameters without interference from objects such as trees, buildings or other obstructions. Typically the most important weather parameter measured at this height is wind speed and direction.
- The 30-meter (98 ft) mast is used for the measurement of parameters over stratified distances for the purposes of data modelling. A common application is to take measurements of wind, humidity and temperature at 30, 10, and 2 meters. Other sensors are mounted around the 2 meter or lower height.
See also
- Personal weather station
- Mesonet
- Cooperative Observer
References
- ^ a b c d e f King, Jeremy. "Automatic Weather Stations". Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ "About the Automatic Weather Station project". Automatic Weather Station project. The National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ "ADDI Automatic weather stations". ADDI. Archived from the original on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ a b c "Automatic Weather Stations for Agricultural". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ "North Hants Weather - AWS". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
- ^ Begert, M., Schlegel, T., and Kirchhofer, W.: Homogeneous temperature and precipitation series of Switzerland from 1864 to 2000. Int. J. Climatol., 25, 65–80, 2005.
- ^ "AWS with cast aluminium enclosure" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-12-16.