Anatomy of a Mesonet Tower
A mesonet tower can host multiple sensors to collect
meteorological data. Adjacent sensors collect rainfall, soil
moisture, and soil temperature data. All collected data is
sent to UMD data servers in real-time via cellular
transmission. The entire mesonet site is solar powered, with
battery backup.
Above: The first Maryland Mesonet tower, located in Howard County,
is installed.
Above: The first Maryland Mesonet tower, located in Howard County,
is installed.1
10m - AnemometerMeasures horizontal wind speed & direction
R.M. Young Model 05108
Range:
0 to 100 m/s (224 mph)
360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
R.M. Young Model 05108
Range:
0 to 100 m/s (224 mph)
360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
2
2m - PyranometerMeasures global (direct + diffuse) solar
radiation
Apogee Model CS320
Range:
0 to 2000 W/m2
Apogee Model CS320
Range:
0 to 2000 W/m2
3
2m - Digital Snow Depth DetectorMeasures snow depth
Campbell Model SnowVUE10
Range:
0.40 to 10m (1.3 to 32.8 ft)
Campbell Model SnowVUE10
Range:
0.40 to 10m (1.3 to 32.8 ft)
4
2m - Temperature + Relative Humidity ProbeMeasures air temperature and relative humidity
Campbell Model HygroVUE10
Range:
-40° to 70° C (-40° to 158° F)
0 to 100% humidity
Campbell Model HygroVUE10
Range:
-40° to 70° C (-40° to 158° F)
0 to 100% humidity
5
1.3m - DataloggerA low-power device that reads the tower's sensors,
drives communication, controls external devices, then
analyzes and maintains the data in onboard, nonvolatile
storage.
Campbell Model CR1000X
1.3m - Digital BarometerMeasures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
Campbell Model CR1000X
1.3m - Digital BarometerMeasures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
6
Base - Rain GaugeMeasures rainfall intensity and derives amount of
rainfall
Campbell Model RainVUE20
Range:
1500 mm/h (60 in/h)
Campbell Model RainVUE20
Range:
1500 mm/h (60 in/h)
7
Underground (.05m, .1m, .2m, .5m, 1m) - Soil
SensorsMeasures permittivity, electrical conductivity,
temperature, and water content of the soil
Campbell Model CS655
Range:
Permittivity: 1 to 81
Conductivity: 0 to 8 dS/m
Temperature: -50° to 70° C (-58° to 128° F)
Water Content: 0 to 100%
Campbell Model CS655
Range:
Permittivity: 1 to 81
Conductivity: 0 to 8 dS/m
Temperature: -50° to 70° C (-58° to 128° F)
Water Content: 0 to 100%
1
10m - AnemometerMeasures horizontal wind speed & direction
R.M. Young Model 05108
Range:
0 to 100 m/s (224 mph)
360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
R.M. Young Model 05108
Range:
0 to 100 m/s (224 mph)
360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
2
2m - PyranometerMeasures global (direct + diffuse) solar
radiation
Apogee Model CS320
Range:
0 to 2000 W/m2
Apogee Model CS320
Range:
0 to 2000 W/m2
3
2m - Digital Snow Depth DetectorMeasures snow depth
Campbell Model SnowVUE10
Range:
0.40 to 10m (1.3 to 32.8 ft)
Campbell Model SnowVUE10
Range:
0.40 to 10m (1.3 to 32.8 ft)
4
2m - Temperature + Relative Humidity ProbeMeasures air temperature and relative humidity
Campbell Model HygroVUE10
Range:
-40° to 70° C (-40° to 158° F)
0 to 100% humidity
Campbell Model HygroVUE10
Range:
-40° to 70° C (-40° to 158° F)
0 to 100% humidity
5
1.3m - DataloggerA low-power device that reads the tower's sensors,
drives communication, controls external devices, then
analyzes and maintains the data in onboard, nonvolatile
storage.
Campbell Model CR1000X
1.3m - Digital BarometerMeasures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
Campbell Model CR1000X
1.3m - Digital BarometerMeasures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
6
Base - Rain GaugeMeasures rainfall intensity and derives amount of
rainfall
Campbell Model RainVUE20
Range:
1500 mm/h (60 in/h)
Campbell Model RainVUE20
Range:
1500 mm/h (60 in/h)
7
Underground (.05m, .1m, .2m, .5m, 1m) - Soil
SensorsMeasures permittivity, electrical conductivity,
temperature, and water content of the soil
Campbell Model CS655
Range:
Permittivity: 1 to 81
Conductivity: 0 to 8 dS/m
Temperature: -50° to 70° C (-58° to 128° F)
Water Content: 0 to 100%
Campbell Model CS655
Range:
Permittivity: 1 to 81
Conductivity: 0 to 8 dS/m
Temperature: -50° to 70° C (-58° to 128° F)
Water Content: 0 to 100%