NovaLynx Corporation
Weather Monitoring Instruments and Systems
Weather Stations
NovaLynx Corporation specializes in rugged equipment, suitable for industrial applications, that provides the accuracy required by scientific researchers and weather professionals. We can meet your weather measurement needs through custom system configurations, but in many cases one of our packaged weather stations will fit your requirements. We offer several popular packages for applications such as hazmat/emergency management situations, fire management, and meteorological surveys, including stations that support the CAMEO/ALOHA format.
NWS OBSERVING HANDBOOK NO. 2
1.3 TYPES OF STATIONS
Although the majority of cooperative stations record precipitation amounts and maximum and minimum temperatures, there are several other types of stations. For example, one station may record precipitation only, while another station may record precipitation, temperature, and evaporation. One or more of the following parameters may be reported.
a) Precipitation
b) Air temperature
c) River stage
d) Evaporation
e) Wind movement
f) Soil temperature
g) Agricultural data
h) Atmospheric phenomena
I) Flash flooding
j) Road hazards
1.3.1 PRECIPITATION
Measurements are made of the amount of rainfall, depth of snow, and other forms of precipitation. Records are kept of the character, type, and time of occurrence. Each station is normally furnished with a nonrecording or a weighing-type recording gage.
1.3.2 AIR TEMPERATURE
Observations of the current air temperature, and of maximum and minimum temperatures between observations, are taken and recorded daily. The stations are provided with maximum and minimum thermometers and an instrument shelter for housing the thermometers, or a maximum-minimum temperature system (MMTS).
1.3.3 RIVER STAGE
Daily observations of river stages are taken. These stations generally also record precipitation, weather conditions, depth of snow or ice, and status of the river (rising or falling). Each station is normally furnished with a river gage appropriate for the station.
1.3.4 EVAPORATION AND WIND MOVEMENT
Daily measurements are made of the amount of evaporation from an open, freely exposed pan. Measurements are made of wind movement over the pan, temperature of the water, and at some stations, wet- and dry-bulb temperatures of the air. The stations are provided with:
a) An evaporation pan and measuring apparatus (stilling well and gage).
b) An anemometer and, when required, a wet- and dry-bulb psychrometer and storage tank.
1.3.5 SOIL TEMPERATURE
Selected stations record the soil temperature daily. The stations are provided with thermometers or sensing elements located in and under undisturbed bare or grass-covered soil at selected depths.
1.3.6 AGRICULTURAL DATA
At selected stations, observers forward weekly reports containing the effect of weather on crops and a description of current farming operations in the locality.
1.3.7 ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA
Weather occurrences such as rain, cloud cover, hail, and thunderstorms are considered to be atmospheric phenomena. Phenomena of severe enough nature to threaten life and property are usually reported when they take place, rather than waiting to report them at the scheduled time of observation.
1.3.8 FLASH FLOODING
In areas where flash flooding may occur, observations of the conditions which cause flash flooding are reported promptly. These conditions include heavy rainfall, river or creek stage, and the formation or breakup of ice jams.
1.3.9 ROAD HAZARDS
Road hazards are created by weather conditions such as drifting snow, flooding, and blowing dust or sand, and should be recorded.
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