See also: Station Metadata | Station Map

The sensors and hardware described here reflect a typical CoAgMET weather station, constituting the majority of network. There are a number of non-typical stations that may have a different mix of sensors and hardware.

Measurements: temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, solar radiation, soil temperature, and precipitation. Soil moisture is measured at select stations. Typical stations use a tipping bucket rain gage that is only suitable for liquid precipitation and is not suitable for measuring snow water equivalent (SWE). All-season precipitation gages will be installed at select stations enabling measurement of annual precipitation totals, including snow water equivalent.

Station Structure: Most network stations use a tripod for mounting data acquisition system components. There are a number of select stations that use 10-meter instrumentation towers.

Power: A system consisting of a solar panel, battery, and charge regulator is used to meet station power demands.

Communication: Most stations utilize cellular connectivity for communication between the station and the data retrieval system.

For official, more detailed information on station components, please contact the manufacturer. Please contact Lane Simmons for information on specific stations.

Datalogger
Model	CR1000X	CR1000
Manufacturer	Campbell Scientific	Campbell Scientific
Web Link	CR1000X Info	CR1000 Info

Temperature & Relative Humidity
Model	EE181	HMP45	HC2S3
Manufacturer	E+E Electronic	Vaisala	Rotronic
Air Temperature Accuracy	± 0.2°C (at 23°C)	± 0.2°C (at 20°C)	± 0.1°C (at 23°C)
Air Temperature Range	-40°C to +60°C	-39.2°C to +60°C	-40°C to +60°C
Relative Humidity Accuracy	Varies with temperature and RH	Varies with temperature and RH	± 0.8% (at 23°C)
Relative Humidity Range	0 to 100% (non-condensing)	0.8 to 100% (non-condensing)	0 to 100% (non-condensing)
Installation Height	1.5 m	1.5 m	1.5 m

Wind Speed and Direction
Model	05103 Wind Monitor	03002 Wind Sentry
Manufacturer	R.M. Young	R.M. Young
Wind Direction Accuracy	± 3°	± 5°
Wind Direction Starting Threshold	1.1 m/s at 10° displacement	0.8 m/s at 10° displacement
Wind Speed Range	0 to 100 m/s (224 mph)	0 to 50 m/s (112 mph)
Wind Speed Accuracy	± 0.3 m/s or 1% of reading	± 0.5 m/s
Wind Speed Starting Threshold	1.0 m/s	0.5 m/s
Installation Height	2m or 3m; 10m at select stations	2m or 3m

Solar Radiation
Model	LI200X and LI200RX	LI-200R-SMV	CS320
Manufacturer	LI-COR	LI-COR	Apogee
Sensor	Silicon Photovoltaic Detector	Silicon Photovoltaic Detector	Thermopile Detector, Acrylic Diffuser, Heater
Sensitivity	0.2 kW/m2/mV	75μA per 1000 W/m2	0.057 mV/W/m2
Calibration Uncertainty	± 3% to ± 5%	± 3% typical, ± 5% maximum	± 2.6%
Spectral Range	400 to 1100 nm	400 to 1100 nm	385 to 2105 nm

Soil Temperature
Model	107
Manufacturer	Campbell Scientific
Sensor	Thermistor
Tolerance	± 0.2°C (0° to 50°C range)
Range	-35°C to 50°C
Installation Depth	5 and 15mm (2 and 6 inches)

Precipitation
Model	TE525
Manufacturer	Texas Electronics
Sensor Type	Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch
Rainfall per Tip	0.254 mm (0.01 inches)
Measurement Uncertainty	1.0% up to 50 mm/hour (2 inches/hour)
Operating Temperature Range	0°C to 50°C
Notes	Liquid precip only, not suitable for snow.
Installation Height	1m

Soil Volumetric Water Content (VWC), Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Soil Temperature
Model	HydraProbe	CS650
Manufacturer	Stevens	Campbell Scientific
Sensing Volume	Length: 5.7 cm; Diameter: 3.0 cm	7800 cm3
VWC Accuracy	± 1% WFV (for most soils)	± 1% (with soil-specific calibration)
Installation Depth	4 and 20 inches	6 and 24 inches