How To: Measure Wind Parameters
Weather Stations
There are tens of thousands of weather stations distributed across the world. Weather stations are responsible for recording a variety of meteorological parameters.
- ambient air temperature using a thermometers
- atmospheric pressure using a barometers
- rainfall using a rain guage;
- wind velocity using an anemometers
- wind direction using wind vanes
- humidity using a hygrometer;
- cloud height using a ceilometer;
- visibility using a transmissometer.
Note: The instruments shown in bold are used in wind applications.
Anemometers.
Anemometers can be classified according to their sensors – as shown in the below table:
| Principle of operation | Method |
|---|---|
| Pressure applied to stationary sensors | pitot tubes and drag spheres |
| Momentum transfer | cups, propellers, and pressure plates |
| Doppler effects | acoustics and laser |
| Heat transfer | hot wires and hot films |
| Special methods | ion displacement, vortex shedding ad more |