The Whitworth Meteorological Observatory - Specifications
Parameter |
Instrument |
Range |
Resolution |
Accuracy |
Rate |
Wind Speed |
Gill Windmaster Pro Sonic Anemometer |
0-65m/s |
0.01m/s |
1.5%@12m/s |
20Hz |
Wind Direction |
Gill Windmaster Pro Sonic Anemometer |
0-359deg |
0.1deg |
2%@12m/s |
20Hz |
Temperature |
Rotronics MP100-H and Hygroclip S3 both mounted in Rotronics aspirated radiation shield (RS12T) |
-40 - +60C |
0.1C |
0.1C (MP100-H) |
1Hz |
Relative Humidity |
Rotronics Hygroclip |
0-100%RH |
0.1% |
1.5% |
1Hz |
Barometric Pressure |
Vaisala PTB10 Digital Barometer with Vaisala SPH10 Static Pressure Head |
500-1100hPa |
0.01hPa |
0.3hPa |
1Hz |
Direct Solar Radiation |
Kipp & Zonen CMP-11 Pyranometer |
0-4000 W/m2 (310-2800nm) |
|
2% |
5s |
Diffuse Solar Radiation |
Kipp & Zonen CMP-11 Pyranometer with shade ring |
0-4000 W/m2 (310-2800nm) |
|
2% |
5s |
Downwelling Longwave Radiation |
Kipp & Zonen CGR-3 Pyrgeometer |
-250 – 250 W/m2 (4.5-42um) |
|
5% |
18s |
Meteorological Visibility |
VPF-730 Present Weather Sensor |
10m – 75Km |
|
2% |
60s |
Precipitation Type |
VPF-730 Present Weather Sensor |
Rain / Snow / Hail / Drizzle |
|
|
60s |
Precipitation Rate |
VPF-730 Present Weather Sensor |
0.015 – 250mm/hr |
|
|
60s |
Precipitation Type |
Theis Laser Precipitation Monitor |
drizzle (also freezing) |
|
|
60s |
Precipitation Rate |
Theis Laser Precipitation Monitor |
0.005 – 250mm/hr |
0.001mm/hr |
<10% |
60s |
Precipitation size distribution |
Theis Laser Precipitation Monitor |
0.16 – 8mm |
22 bins |
|
60s |
Precipitation velocity distribution |
Theis Laser Precipitation Monitor |
0.2 – 20m/s |
20 bins |
|
60s |
Cloud Height |
MTech 8200-CHS Laser Ceilometer |
10 – 8200m |
3m |
7.5m |
60s |
The observatory is located on the roof of the George Kenyon Building on the University of Manchester South Campus (N53.467374, W2.232006, Alt 43m). At a height of 49m the George Kenyon Building is the tallest building in the immediate vicinity so the observatory is not overshadowed by surrounding structures. The measurement volume of the sonic anemometer is at a height of 5m above the roof surface, temperature, humidity and pressure sensors are at a height of 3.2m above the roof surface, minimizing the effects of the building on the measurements made. The roof itself is constructed of concrete with a light grey membrane, surrounded by a 1.5m parapet. The remaining instruments are mounted at approximately the height of the parapet. Cloud base heights are corrected for the height of the building.