Automatic weather station: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:IMG 0430-aws-rothera 1200x900.jpg|thumb|right|An [[Antarctic Automatic Weather Stations Project]] AWS in Antarctica]] |
[[Image:IMG 0430-aws-rothera 1200x900.jpg|thumb|right|An [[Antarctic Automatic Weather Stations Project]] AWS in Antarctica]] |
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An '''automatic weather station''' (AWS) is an automated version of the traditional [[weather station]], either to save human labour or to enable measurements from remote areas.<ref name=AWSs/> An AWS will typically consist of a weather-proof enclosure containing the [[data logger]], [[rechargeable battery]], [[telemetry]] (optional) and the meteorological sensors with an attached [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]] or [[wind turbine]] and mounted upon a mast. The specific configuration may vary due to the purpose of the system.<ref name="AWSs">{{cite web|url=http://www.automaticweatherstation.com/index.html|title=Automatic Weather Stations|last=King|first=Jeremy|accessdate=2009-04-15| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090522121225/http://www.automaticweatherstation.com/index.html| archivedate= 22 May 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> The system may report in near real time via the [[Argos System]] and the [[Global Telecommunications System]],<ref name="AWSP">{{cite web|url=http://uwamrc.ssec.wisc.edu/aboutaws.html|title=About the Automatic Weather Station project|work=Automatic Weather Station project|publisher=The National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs|accessdate=2009-04-15 |
An '''automatic weather station''' (AWS) is an automated version of the traditional [[weather station]], either to save human labour or to enable measurements from remote areas.<ref name=AWSs/> An AWS will typically consist of a weather-proof enclosure containing the [[data logger]], [[rechargeable battery]], [[telemetry]] (optional) and the meteorological sensors with an attached [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]] or [[wind turbine]] and mounted upon a mast. The specific configuration may vary due to the purpose of the system.<ref name="AWSs">{{cite web|url=http://www.automaticweatherstation.com/index.html|title=Automatic Weather Stations|last=King|first=Jeremy|accessdate=2009-04-15| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090522121225/http://www.automaticweatherstation.com/index.html| archivedate= 22 May 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> The system may report in near real time via the [[Argos System]] and the [[Global Telecommunications System]],<ref name="AWSP">{{cite web|url=http://uwamrc.ssec.wisc.edu/aboutaws.html |title=About the Automatic Weather Station project |work=Automatic Weather Station project |publisher=The National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs |accessdate=2009-04-15 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20090204082102/http://uwamrc.ssec.wisc.edu:80/aboutaws.html |archivedate=February 4, 2009 }}</ref> or save the data for later recovery.<ref name="ADDI">{{cite web|url=http://www.aadi.no/Aanderaa/Products/AWS/default.aspx|title=ADDI Automatic weather stations|publisher=ADDI|accessdate=2009-04-15| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090326051841/http://www.aadi.no/Aanderaa/Products/AWS/default.aspx| archivedate= 26 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> In the past, automatic weather stations were often placed where [[electricity]] and communication lines were available. Nowadays, the [[photovoltaic module|solar panel]], [[wind turbine]] and [[mobile phone]] technology have made it possible to have wireless stations that are not connected to the electrical grid or hardline telecommunications network.<ref name=ABM/> |
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==Sensors== |
==Sensors== |
Revision as of 09:15, 11 January 2016
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/IMG_0430-aws-rothera_1200x900.jpg/220px-IMG_0430-aws-rothera_1200x900.jpg)
An automatic weather station (AWS) is an automated version of the traditional weather station, either to save human labour or to enable measurements from remote areas.[1] An AWS will typically consist of a weather-proof enclosure containing the data logger, rechargeable battery, telemetry (optional) and the meteorological sensors with an attached solar panel or wind turbine and mounted upon a mast. The specific configuration may vary due to the purpose of the system.[1] The system may report in near real time via the Argos System and the Global Telecommunications System,[2] or save the data for later recovery.[3] In the past, automatic weather stations were often placed where electricity and communication lines were available. Nowadays, the solar panel, wind turbine and mobile phone technology have made it possible to have wireless stations that are not connected to the electrical grid or hardline telecommunications network.[4]
Sensors
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/2012-12-22_NJDOT_Road_Weather_Information_System_%28RWIS%29_on_New_Jersey_Route_29_near_Interstate_95_in_Ewing_in_New_Jersey.jpg/220px-2012-12-22_NJDOT_Road_Weather_Information_System_%28RWIS%29_on_New_Jersey_Route_29_near_Interstate_95_in_Ewing_in_New_Jersey.jpg)
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
- Rain gauge for measuring liquid-equivalent precipitation
- Ultrasonic snow depth sensor for measuring depth of snow
- Pyranometer for measuring solar radiation
Unlike manual weather stations, automated airport weather stations cannot report the class and amount of clouds. Also, precipitation measurements are difficult, especially for snow, as the gauge must empty itself between observations. For present weather, all phenomena that do not touch the sensor, such as fog patches, remain unobserved.[1] The change from manual observations to automatic weather stations is a major non-climatic change in the climate record.[6] The change in instrumentation, enclosure and location can lead to a jump in, for example, the measured temperature or precipitation values, which can lead to erroneous estimates of climate trends. This change, and related non-climatic changes, have to be removed by homogenization.
Data-logger
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Data-logger_for_automatic_weather_station.png/220px-Data-logger_for_automatic_weather_station.png)
The data-logger is the heart of the Automatic Weather Station.
In high quality weather station, the data-logger is designed by the supplier to have the solution which is perfect for meteorological client.
Indeed, usually data-logger found in the market doesn't fit the requirement in terms of consumption, inputs, communication, protection against animals (ants, rats...), humidity, salty air, sand,...
The main function of a data-logger are:
- Measures: the data-logger collects the information of each sensors and archive 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 it own memory or on uSD memory card.
- Power supply: the data-logger manages the power supply of the Automatic Weather Station such as solar panel.
- Communication: the data-logger does manage the communication protocols with the remote server. The different communication protocols are usually GSM, GPRS, RTC, WIFI, uSD, and RS232.
Enclosures
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Weather_Station_Enclosure.png/220px-Weather_Station_Enclosure.png)
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 regulator and one or more rechargeable batteries. As a rule of thumb, solar output is at its optimum for only 5 hours each day. As such, mounting angle and position are vital. In the Northern Hemisphere, the solar panel would be mounted facing south and vice versa for the Southern Hemisphere. The output from the solar panels may be supplemented by a wind turbine to provide power during periods of poor sunlight, or by direct connection to the local electrical grid. Most automated airport weather stations are connected to the commercial power grid due to the higher power needs of the ceilometer and present weather sensors, which are active sensors and emit energy directly into the environment.[4]
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 feet) 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 feet) 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 (32.8 feet) 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 (98.4 feet) 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
References
- ^ a b c d e f King, Jeremy. "Automatic Weather Stations". Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "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.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "ADDI Automatic weather stations". ADDI. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Automatic Weather Stations for Agricultural". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "North Hants Weather - AWS". 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). Retrieved 2013-12-16.