Multi-Plate Radiation Shield for Weather Sensors

 Air Temperature in Meteorology

The measurement of air temperature in meteorology is a difficult task. Accurate air temperature measurements require minimization of local effects (e.g. trees and buildings) and minimization of environmental effects that influence the actual sensing of the temperature at the position of the sensor. World Meteorological Organization - WMO defines internationally  the temperature of the air nearby the earth's surface as “the temperature indicated by a thermometer exposed to the air in a place sheltered from direct solar radiation” (WMO, 1992).

The main functions of thermometer shields are to protect the sensor from direct or indirect radiation from the sun during the day and from radiation from the sensor to the sky at night and to protect the sensor from wetting. Wetting of the sensor and screen is caused by fog, drizzle or rain. But protection against radiation and wetting conflicts with the requirement of sufficient ventilation. Due to insufficient ventilation a microclimate develops within the screen. In fact, all screens develop their own microclimate and the difference with the ambient climate depends on screen type and design.   It may be stated that the larger the bulk of a screen, the stronger the microclimate within the screen and the more the sensed temperature deviates from the real air temperature. From the above, it follows that thermometer screens should have a high reflectivity to minimize heating of the plates and subsequent warming of the air as it flows over the plates to the sensor. To decrease the time the air is in contact with the plate, the plate radial distance should be as small as possible. To prevent the development of microclimates within screens, also the blockage of ambient airflow by the screen should be minimized by making the plate spacing as large as possible, taking into account the requirement that wetting of the sensor should be prevented. Any design of a thermometer screen is a result of compromises. Finding the optimal design is a serious challenge that may require the use of different methods for studying the behavior of screens. In the field, the actual differences between the air temperature in the screens and the ambient air temperature depend mainly on the prevailing weather conditions. Furthermore, the state of the ground and humidity of the soil will also affect the air temperature in the screen as radiation or reflection will cause screen dependent biases. This can easily occur in areas with snow cover and in deserts.

Applications:

Meteorology - COMET sensors together with COMET radiation shields are the ideal basis for weather stations for long-term weather, climate and air monitoring.

Snow Guns

Building management - Our instruments which measure temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and CO2 are an integral part of these industry-leading solutions.