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 - Anemometer
Measures 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 - Pyranometer
Measures 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 Detector
Measures 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 Probe
Measures 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 - Datalogger
A 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 Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
Campbell Model CR1000X
1.3m - Digital Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
6
Base - Rain Gauge
Measures 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 Sensors
Measures 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 - Anemometer
Measures 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 - Pyranometer
Measures 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 Detector
Measures 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 Probe
Measures 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 - Datalogger
A 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 Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
Campbell Model CR1000X
1.3m - Digital Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure
Campbell Model BaroVUE10
Range:
500 to 1100 hPa
6
Base - Rain Gauge
Measures 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 Sensors
Measures 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%