Storm Chasing Vehicles and Weather Stations

[czenzel]

Hello Everyone,

I have always wondered about how weather stations are mounted on cars, trucks, and SUVs that are used during Storm Chasing. I have a few questions to see what types of weather stations are used and also how it is done:

- What weather stations do you use on your car (Wireless vs. Wired, Brand)?

- How do weather stations mounted on cars deal with going into tunnels, bridges, and other underpasses? (How much extra height does it add to a car?)

- Does anybody have some pictures or instruction sets they used for mounting a Weather Station on their car?

Thanks,
Christopher Zenzel

 

[Benjamin Rock]

I will get pics of mine and post them in the morning. I use a Oregon Scientific wireless mounted on a walmart special cutting board with magnets. It holds to speeds over 110mph(tested) and only adds about 8 inches to the roof height. You can also remove it for safety and security.

 

[Paul Knightley]

I'm interested in what people do with the data they've gathered, or indeed why they have stations on their cars. I can imagine it's very interesting to see what wind speeds you have actually measured. I just wonder whether absolutely everyone looks at their data, or whether a few people have them on their cars to make sure everyone else knows they're storm chasers. (not that I'm accusing anyone on ST of that!).

 

[czenzel]

Hi Ben, Thanks for the info! I look forward to seeing pictures of your setup!

Hi Paul, The data would be very interesting to look into... I have seen some other companies on the Internet that do storm chasing that actually have mobile Internet cards and upload data while they are chasing.

Does anybody have a sampling of their data from chasing a storm, wind speed and gust? How accurate is the data if you are stationary versus moving?

Thanks,
Christopher Zenzel

 

[Dan Robinson]

A simple frame can be built from PVC to which a wireless system can be mounted with ease. In my own tests of such a system, calm-condition wind readings were +-3 mph of the speedometer indication. Not as bad as some would make it seem.

Not directed at Paul, but since he raised the question, I thought I'd give my thoughts about the legitimacy questions about mobile weather stations: Does the data gathered from a mobile weather station have to be research-grade material bound for the laboratory? I suppose then that it isn't OK to have a desire to make one's own observations in the field just because it is of interest to that individual. Either that or it is more noble to go $5000 in debt to buy an RM Young system or use a handheld Kestrel standing outside in hail and rain to gather data.

I wonder what the difference is between someone having a weather station on their car versus one on their house. I wouldn't imagine that the aerodynamic interference of a house, where the majority of consumer-grade stations are used, would be better than that of a car. Since Oregon Scientific and Davis are selling a ton of these stations (mainly to weather enthusiasts who are using them on homes or cars) I would conclude that the world is irrevocably contaminated by skewed weather data.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I suppose that gathering your own data has some personal significance to your enjoyment of storm chasing - then have at it - it's a free country.
I can see the value of a hand-held anemometer/temp/dewpoint/humidity device - however...

I cannot understand why anyone would bother with the expense, and the fact that they make themselves a target for locals to follow you to the storm with those racks.
Or the obviousness of the vehicle that locals can see - only helps to make you the center focus of their hatred.

I cannot understand why a laptop and internet tether isn't sufficient enough (not to mention the expense) to get the same data from the NWS's multi-billion dollar system and multi-billion dollar weather satellites.
How can you do better than that?!?

Not to mention, that when vehicles get the PVC rack and gear - to the point that they look like a retro 90's college research vehicles - they also lose fuel efficiency due to impaired aerodynamics.
And when you decide to sell that same vehicle with all of those extra drilled holes thru the car body; how much less did you have to sell it for?
But - if that makes you happy and helps you chase - then have fun with it.
I'm sorry; I just don't get it...

 

[Dan Robinson]

I used one of these in one season (2006). All of the instruments and the pvc frame weighed no more than 5 pounds, and was attached to the roof rails with wire ties (no holes drilled). During that time:

- There was no impact on fuel economy. The profile of the setup only extended 15 inches, and only at two spots on the frame.

- The realtime dewpoint readings were useful. We could see the effects of mixing as it was happening, in areas far away from the nearest ASOS.

- ASOS updates can be an hour old, especially when using WxWorx.

- Total expense? $30 plus the cost of the station for hardware and frame.

I suppose that gathering your own data has some personal significance to your enjoyment of storm chasing

Bingo. That's all it is. Some don't understand that. While I don't understand what is so hard to understand about it, I guess there are those with which I'll just agree to disagree.

For the record, I have not used a mobile station for the past two seasons and don't have any plans to next year. I actually found mine to be more useful in the winter. The problem I had was that the main console batteries died too quickly. It had an AC adapter, but when the car inverter wasn't running, the console would just drain its batteries. When the batteries died, I had to re-configure the display each time. Too much hassle.

 

[Cory Schuller]

Does anybody have pictures of how they had their setup? I just purchased an Orengon Scientific unit and need some ideas on how to mount it.
Cory

 

[Chris Karstens]

I might suggest reading this paper... could be a little over the top for what you're looking to do, but it may address a number of your questions:

http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0426/13/5/pdf/i1520-0426-13-5-921.pdf

Hope that helps...

Chris

 

[Clarence Bennett]

Ok. So I have a question in regards to this and what I have...I have an Inspeed magnetic mount anemometer. It sits nicely on top of my Tahoe, but quite honestly, my gut tells me it should be mounted on something to get it up in the air at least a foot or so. Can someone give me a recommendation on how to do this? Should I just figure out how to attach it to some pvc? I just think I would get a better reading having it off the body of my vehicle. Am I right or wrong?

 

[Skip Talbot]

Objects on the ground create turbulence in surface winds up to 10x their height. I doubt you'd want the anemometer up 10x the height of the Tahoe, and I doubt it would make much of a difference anyway. As long as your inspeed has a clear view of the horizon, it should be fairly accurate. Mounting it higher is easy if you have a roof rack, just drill into that, your pvc assembly, and use the existing bolt holes in the metal arm of the inspeed, lock it inplace with some bolts or wingnuts.

 

[Dan Robinson]

If you don't want to drill, you can mount an inspeed using a homemade clamp mount. I made my own using aluminum bars from Home Depot. The aluminum is strong, yet easy to drill and bend with basic tools. I used two pieces to clamp down on my roof rail, held in place with bolts and wing nuts (with foam pieces to protect the rail finish.) I used one mounted this way for a little over a year.

Again, even though it was in the vehicle's slipstream, the readings were never more than a couple mph off of the speedometer reading in calm winds. I know that goes against aerodynamic theory, but take it for what it's worth. The Inspeeds will start developing bearing problems after long-term use, and will need regular servicing. The manufacturer is good about supplying replacement parts free or very cheaply. If you mount one this way, when the Inspeed starts vibrating due to worn bearings, the sound is very loud as it reverberates through the metal roof of the car.

EDIT: Inspeed does make a mag-mount version.

 

[Clarence Bennett]

Thanks Dan! I may try to mount it that way to my roof rack. I actually have the mag mount model, but it can be taken apart and re-attached to something with height, ie. pvc or similar peice of metal. That is what I plan on doing anyway...

 

[Benjamin Rock]

Ok, I have the pics of the weather station and even basic instructions to assemble it, but Im having issues posting pics.. I never have been good at that. Can anyone help or would it be easier to post them to my Photobucket and post the link?

 

[czenzel]

Ok, I have the pics of the weather station and even basic instructions to assemble it, but Im having issues posting pics.. I never have been good at that. Can anyone help or would it be easier to post them to my Photobucket and post the link?

I don't know how the attachments work in the forum either. Can you post them to Photobucket and post a link?

Thanks for getting pictures of the setup. I am very interested in seeing the photos and instructions.

Thanks,
Christopher Zenzel