CoAgMET Stations Description

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