Mobile Mesonet Weather Stations

[Joey Ketcham]

I'm looking at making a mobile mesonet that will continuously log weather conditions, but I don't know what weather station to go with at this point. Was wondering what you guys might recommend in the way of a weather station to use for this?

 

[Paul Stofer]

Well, you could go scientific with an RM Young anemometer, and vaisala sensors with a campbell scientific data logger. Or you could go with a davis weather station and software on your computer... Here is my setup. I use my computer as the data logger...

 

[John Diel]

Joey,

As Paul states, there are several different options. First off, try a search for "Mobile Mesonet" on the site. There has been some very detailed discussion on these in the past.

It really boils down to what you plan to use the data for. RM Young and Viasila are, arguably, the best quality instruments you will find for mobile applications. They are also very expensive. They give you "scientific" grade data.

The next "commercial/consumer" grade instruments would be the stuff made by Davis Instruments. They are prices much less than the RM Young and other scientific grade instruments.

Below this I would place the Oregon Scientific instruments. I've never been real impressed with their instruments and IMHO are really fancy toys. That's simply my feelings on them and not necessarily an absolute. There are several people on ST that have the OS stuff, but I believe there are more using the Davis with a few using RM Young.

Good, middle of the road instruments would be Davis.

John Diel

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I've heard really good things about Davis, think I'm gonna wait a couple weeks and then order one. I've looked at RM Young, but like you said John they're more on the expensive side... but it's something I might look into come tax return time next year.

Those who have mobile mesonets, did you go with PVC pipes or did you use metal pipes? If metal, did you weld it all together or use screws and bolts to put it together?

 

[John Diel]

When I had one, I used PVC pipe for the radiation shield (The "S" tube) that carries the temp/humidity sensors. This was fan aspirated and the Davis sensor puck (It was an older system) was centered in the tube.

The tube was attached to an old monopod I had that I didn't use anymore. This was in turn bolted to the aluminum camper shell I had on my truck. The advantage I had with using the old monopod was that I could raise or lower the unit as I needed to for clearance. It was tall enough to be out of the Bernoulli effect. It was also ugly as sin, but kids loved it. Grade School kids around here called it a "Meadowlark Masher"

The Anemometer was attached to the very top of the monopod.

The system I had was the old Weather Monitor II

 

[John Diel]

This guy is local to Kay County. You might talk to him and see what he can do for you. I personally like the Scout.

http://www.weatherlabweather.com/Learn-more/scout product.htm

and ....

http://www.weatherlabweather.com/products/spotter-products.htm

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Thanks for the info. I remember a while back Greg Stumpf mentioned that NSSL engineers found that the best placement for the anemometer was 3 feet high and 2 feet forward of the top side of the windshield. This kept it out of the windflow and gave accurate readings. Think I will probably try to design mine close to this so my readings are as accurate as possible.

I'll b going to Home Depot this week an look at some material and then do some measurements and see what I need.

 

[John Diel]

Ahhhh Joey, How soon you forget. I believe it as YOU! that started this back in 2004?? Eh?

Here's Greg's quote to you about placement:

The placement of your anemometer won't work. It is way too close to the vehicle chassis to get an accurate reading. You will be measuring air speed within the compressed airflow about the car - even if the vehicle is stationary (just think "wind tunnel"). In most situations, your measured wind speed will be an overestimate of the true wind.
NSSL engineers obtained information about the windflow about the vehicles that they mounted the mobile mesonets on. They found that the wind equipment had to be mounted pretty far away from the chassis in order to be effectively out of the vehicle airflow envelope. In later designs, this was about 3 feet high and 2 feet forward of the top side of the windshield.
Also, please strongly consider a weather logging system - make your observations useful to the rest of the community, either via post event logs, or via real-time reports to the NWS.
Greg Stumpf, Norman, OK

And the link?? http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=633&highlight=mobile+mesonet

 

[fplowman]

Yep, i remember Joey having many pics of a mesonet he was building with PVC pipe.. It has been a couple years but I remember it well...

Not to rub it in, but.. I also remember posts stating that you were quiting stormchasing a couple of times too..

Lol... We all think it from time to time.. Just not all of us post it.

Being on those awesome storms May 5th weekend reminded me of this, all the hours of driving and all the money I spend that make us challenge our resolve.. Yep! Its all worth it..

Fred

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Yeah I actually came across that old post of mine last night when I did a search. I like to keep things fresh though, between then and now people may have came up with better designs or have more tips/suggestions.

I did have that one back in 2004, but in all honesty it sucked. I didn't invest the time into it that I should have and to do it right, so I scratched the idea until now.

I'm going to take some measurements tonight and then go to home depot tomorrow night and look at some materials just to kinda see what I want to use.

I'll keep you posted, and of course anymore suggestions keep them coming.

PS.. I remember once I said I was giving up storm chasing - and I did for a while in 2005 but not for long, I just had bills to catch up on, which I did.

 

[scott r currens]

Joey,

This might be what you are looking for.

http://www.airmartechnology.com/uploads/brochures/weatherstation.pdf

The cool thing is it has a built in GPS, and it calculates the true wind speed and direction while you are moving. I have seen them on ebay for ~$900.

 

[kc9omv]

about mobile weather station

Well, you could go scientific with an RM Young anemometer, and vaisala sensors with a campbell scientific data logger. Or you could go with a davis weather station and software on your computer... Here is my setup. I use my computer as the data logger...

I would like to know what kind of camera do you have in the camera housing?
I have been shopping around for a mobile weather station that is cabled. I found a couple so far. I found one at Oregon scientific for 349.99 but I don't think it's cabled. the other one was a davis vantage pro2 which is cabled for 535.00.

I would like to know about your thoughts about these.

 

[Grant Wise]

Well, you could go scientific with an RM Young anemometer, and vaisala sensors with a campbell scientific data logger. Or you could go with a davis weather station and software on your computer... Here is my setup. I use my computer as the data logger...

I am a new weather hobbiest and was just curious about your setup. First of all, could you point me toward some sources detailing the steps to building a mobile mesonet. I know it's not a simple cookie cutter project but surely there is a summary out there of someone's build??? (I have done my own digging and can find nothing) Second, the reason I am asking is mainly with regard to the anemometer. From the little bit I know, a gps is required to calculate true wind speed when in motion. How is the gps data ingested and used to override the anemometer? What software do you use? Thanks!

 

[WX4CB]

hey paul,

question, what version of the RMY Jr do you have. we use those at work and was wondering what you're logging the data with specifically. you say a "cambell scientific" but which one?

I have a plentiful supply of the ano's and would love to use those.

Well, you could go scientific with an RM Young anemometer, and vaisala sensors with a campbell scientific data logger. Or you could go with a davis weather station and software on your computer... Here is my setup. I use my computer as the data logger...