PROPER EXPOSURE OF METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS
Generally recognized guidelines follow which depict "ideal" sensor mounting locations. These guidelines or "rules
of thumb" are only suggestive in nature in an attempt to aid the user to selecting optimum representative sampling
locations for a particular sensor.
Reference was made to US Weather Bureau Installation criteria in preparing this data (See Reference 1).
WIND EQUIPMENT:
So far as available sites permit, wind sensors should be placed above the ground on a freely-exposed tower (20 feet
or higher) and over terrain that is relatively level and free from obstructions to wind flow. When a compromise
must be made, sensing units should be exposed at least 12 feet above any obstruction within 100 feet and at least as
high as any obstruction within 100 to 200 feet of the wind equipment. Support towers or masts should not be of
such bulk or shape as to create an appreciable obstruction to wind flow. Avoid sites where local obstructions may
create up-or-down drafts, eddy currents or jet-flow effects. When sensors are roof-mounted, they should be
installed at least 10 feet (or greater) from the roof surface depending upon the particular installation site.
Turbulence and other local effects can be reduced somewhat by mounting sensors on the upwind and of the building
(that end of the building exposed to the most common local prevailing winds). Horizontal-mount booms which
extend from existing towers should be fabricated so that sensors will extend a distance of 5 to 10 feet from the
tower assembly (dependent on tower thickness).
Wind direction sensors are oriented upon installation in reference to either true north or magnetic north. True north
is obtained by applying a local magnetic variation correction factor to a magnetic north compass indication
(magnetic variation for a particular locality is obtainable from the nearest Weather Bureau Branch Office).
Indicator readings for a true north sensor orientation will then be in terms of true geographic compass points. All
U.S. Weather Bureau surface wind data used for observational network reporting purposes and general public use is
given in reference to this true north format. Indicator readings for a magnetic north sensor orientation will be in
terms of actual readings as would be obtained from directly viewing a magnetic compass instrument. Wind
direction data at Federal Aviation Agency and other aircraft reporting facilities (for direct control tower-to-pilot
utilization) is always made in reference to this magnetic north format.
REMOTE TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY SENSORS AND INSTRUMENT SHELTERS:
Whenever possible, instrument shelters* as well as remote temperature and/or humidity sensors should be installed
at a height of 4 feet (or greater) over earth or sod at least 100 feet from any concrete or other hard-surfaced area and
not closer to any other object than four times the height of the object above the instrument shelter or remote sensors.
Avoid roof installations if possible. If it is necessary to roof-mount shelters and sensors, they should not be closer
than 30 feet to any large, vertical reflecting surface (walls, etc.), exhaust fans, or cooling towers. Electronic remote
sensors when roof-mounted should be at least 9 feet (or greater) above the roof surface. To minimize radiation
effects from the roof, they can also be mounted on a horizontal boom so that they will extend from the side of a
building roof or existing tower. Horizontal booms should extend approximately 5 to 10 feet from the side of the
building roof or tower assembly.
PRECIPITATION GAUGES:
Rain gauges should be installed on a level plot of ground, at a distance from any object of at least two and
preferably four times the height of the object above the top of the gauge. All types of gauges must be exposed with
the rim of the receiver in a horizontal plane and at a level well above the average level of snow surfaces.
* Standard U.S. Weather Bureau cotton-region shelter (Spec. No. 450.0615, Rev. 8/67)
