Core Weather Station

About the Weather Stations:

All systems are built upon the ICT International Datalogger, which is optimised for the Dataview data handling platform. Providing an all-in-one datalogger, with power management and data handling, the datalogger platform is expandable with optional communication and sensor expansion modules.

The systems contain all parts required for the installation of the system, enabling the deployment of the system from the box. The sensors are pre-installed on the crossarm, and the RIM-7499-STD or RIM-7499-BOM include the stand to raise the rain gauge above the surrounding area.

Data

The Weather Station measures the following parameters which can be visualised in the Dataview platform:

Furthermore, these values can be used to calculate the evapotranspiration rate using the Penmen-Monteith FAO56 equation. Evapotranspiration is a key measurement when understanding the water relationship in the agricultural or natural environment, and can be used to understand urban cooling and urban forest water requirements.

About the sensors

Tier 1 Sensors (CWS-T1)

Ideal for field work installations where measurement locations may change from season to season, the CWS-T1 weather station is mounted to the ICT International cross arm, ready to be installed (once the sensors are orientated to the north/equator as required). Requiring minimal installation infrastructure, the CWS-T1 is designed for repeatable measurements in many locations.

The use of reliable and proven technologies makes the ideal solution for widespread evapotranspiration networks across a study site. Designed for ease of installation with the crossarm, the Tier 1 sensors are a compact system that provides quality data for evapotranspiration calculations.

• Temperature/Humidity (Vaisala HMP60): For the measurement of vapour pressure deficit (VPD), a reliable, robust, and proven sensors is essential. The Vaisala HMP range of temperature and humidity sensors utilise a replaceable calibration chip that ensures high quality data is collected for the calculation of VPD – the atmospheric driver within the soil, plant, atmosphere continuum and a key parameter in the calculation of Evapotranspiration. The temperature/humidity sensor includes a matt radiation shield to reduce reflection, ensuring that there is minimal measurement interference.
• Wind (Calypso): A compact ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor, the Calypso wind sensor measures gusts, direction, and speed at a user defined frequency. With no moving parts, the Calypso wind sensor is ideal for installation in long-term measurement and monitoring applications.
  With a compact profile, the Calypso can be discretely installed in urban environments, whilst when used as part of an evapotranspiration installation effects on other sensors are minimised.
• Rain (PRP-02): A robust tipping bucket rain gauge with 0.2 mm resolution, the PRP-02 is mounted on the crossarm, alongside the other sensors ensuring the station is easy to install and transport.
• Pyranometer (SP-421): With traceability to ISO9060, the Apogee SP-421 is a proven, reliable, calibrated pyranometer for the measurement of solar radiation. Ideal for shortwave radiation measurement in agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks, the SP-421 is essential in the calculation of FAO Evapotranspiration models.
• Power System: Supplied with the Low Power system containing a 10-watt solar panel and matching mount, and an internal 6,000mAh battery. The power system can be expanded with a supplementary 10-watt solar panel and mount to provide additional charge when used in low light conditions (EP-L).

Tier 2 Sensors (CWS-T2)

The Tier 2 sensors are ideal for long-term installation; the rain gauge is set above the ground using the included stand, whilst the other sensors can be mounted to a tripod or pole using the included crossarm.

• Temperature/Humidity (Vaisala HMP110): Vaisala HMP110: The HMP110 builds upon the benefits of the HMP60, but is a higher accuracy for both humidity (±1.5 %RH vs ±3 %RH) and temperature (±0.1 °C vs ±0.5 °C). The temperature/humidity sensor includes a matt radiation shield to reduce reflection, ensuring that there is minimal measurement interference.
• Wind (Windsonic): A high-performance ultrasonic anemometer, for use in measuring up to 60m/s (26km/h) wind speeds. With no moving parts, ultrasonic anemometers are ideal for installation where access may be difficult, providing low ongoing costs and reliable data. The Windsonic is a low power solution that still provides high quality data for decision making and monitoring.
• Rain (RIM-7499-STD): Stainless steel shell, copper collector, and brass tipping bucket, the RIM-7499 rain gauges are designed for long-term installations that require high quality rainfall data. With the included stand, the RIM-7499 rain gauge can be mounted above the ground to avoid ground-based debris blowing into the collector.
• Pyranometer (SP-421): With traceability to ISO9060, the Apogee SP-421 is a proven, reliable, calibrated pyranometer for the measurement of solar radiation. Ideal for shortwave radiation measurement in agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks, the SP-421 is essential in the calculation of FAO Evapotranspiration models.
• Power System: Supplied with the Low Power system containing a 10-watt solar panel and matching mount, and an internal 6,000mAh battery. The power system can be expanded with a supplementary 10-watt solar panel and mount to provide additional charge when used in low light conditions (EP-L).

Tier 3 Sensors (CWS-T3):

The Tier 3 sensors provide a high-quality research platform for detailed measurement of the hydrological flux. Integrating a highly responsive and accurate temperature humidity sensor, wide measurement range of wind speed (up to 75 metres/second), and a national standard rain gauge, the Tier 3 sensor suite provides the benchmark system for researchers to build their experiments around.

• Temperature/Humidity (Vaisala HMP155): Vaisala HMP155: The HMP155 provides a highly accurate, traceable, temperature and humidity probe for leading research applications. Individually adjusted and calibrated using a six-point calibration across humidity ranges from completely dry to near saturated, the HMP155 is the temperature and humidity sensor for high quality measurements. The temperature/humidity sensor includes a matt radiation shield to reduce reflection, ensuring that there is minimal measurement interference.
• Wind (Windsonic 75): Measuring windspeeds up to 75m/s (270 km/h), the Windsonic 75 is a WMO standard (for wind gust measurement) solution for high quality data acquisition. With a higher resolution output for wind direction (0.1°) than the Windsonic, the Windsonic 75 will provide detailed data for analysis and model building.
• Rain (RIM-7499-BOM): Taking the core structure of the RIM-7499-STD but increasing the accuracy to meet the requirements of national meteorological organisations, the RIM-7499-BOM is a high-quality rain gauge that will provide accurate data for detailed decision making.
• Pyranometer (SP-421): With traceability to ISO9060, the Apogee SP-421 is a proven, reliable, calibrated pyranometer for the measurement of solar radiation. Ideal for shortwave radiation measurement in agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks, the SP-421 is essential in the calculation of FAO Evapotranspiration models.
• Power System: Supplied with the Low Power system containing a 10-watt solar panel and matching mount, and an internal 6,000mAh battery. The power system can be expanded with a supplementary 10-watt solar panel and mount to provide additional charge when used in low light conditions (EP-L).

Specifications