BBY Weather Site Specs – September, 2007

The remote weather station is an Oregon Scientific WMR960. It has been in operation since September, 2006. The consol is connected to a laptop computer running Virtual Weather Station. The camera is a Microsoft webcam connected directly to the laptop via a USB connection running Willing Webcam software.

The backyard temperature/humidity sensor, and rainguage are co-located with a manual thermometer and rainguage for comparison and calibration purposes. All of the equipment, including the solar cells and transmitters, are discretely incorporated into a backyard trellis. The temperature/humidity sensor is housed inside an aspirated radiation shield using a modified Davis fan unit and an Ambient Weather radiation shield. The anemometer is located about 7 metres above ground level – extended about 3 metres above the roof of the house.

Exposure to the system is not quite up to climatological standards. To the south, there are large spruce and poplar trees which shelter the area from strong southerly winds. The house shelters the equipment to the north. In winds over 20 km/h, reported winds appear to be half of what YWG (the International Airport) reports. Temperature and humidity readings are representative with the station being north of the City of Winnipeg in a more rural setting.

Pictures to follow.