Measuring Probes and Instruments for Meteorology

For meteorological applications, capacitive humidity sensors and dew point hygrometers are the most commonly used due to their precision and reliability. Humidity sensors are often used in combination with temperature sensors in automated weather stations to provide accurate data.

Analog weather sensors are simpler and less expensive, but are more suitable for basic applications and require additional conversion units for digital processing. Digital weather sensors offer higher accuracy, stability and are easier to integrate into digital systems, making them suitable for more demanding applications in modern weather stations and IoT devices.

In meteorology, humidity, temperature and wet-bulb temperature are key measured variables. They help us to understand the behavior of the atmosphere and make forecasts. In particular, the wet-bulb temperature, together with humidity, provides valuable information on evaporation and the probability of precipitation, while temperature forms the basis for many other meteorological phenomena.

The WMO guidelines also cover specific measurement methods, such as: Wet-bulb temperature: this is measured under standardized conditions to ensure consistent data that is crucial for weather forecasting and health warnings (e.g. in the case of extreme temperatures). Relative humidity: the measurement of moisture in the air is carried out under standardized procedures that ensure that the values are comparable worldwide.

Meteorological data from sensors is first collected and transmitted via communication systems to data centers. There, it is checked for quality, cleaned up and converted into a uniform format using automatic and manual processes. The data is then integrated into numerical weather models that use physical laws to calculate forecasts. Meteorologists analyze and compare the model outputs with current observations to validate and adjust the forecasts. Finally, the interpreted results are used for weather reports and climate analysis.

The daily weather forecast relies on the precise measurement of weather parameters. The science of numerical weather prediction aims to describe the daily water cycle in numbers – humidity plays an important role here – and data errors will multiply in the calculations. Humidity and temperature values influence weather calculations, for example, through the water vapor balance equation – this formula expresses the influence of humidity through rain and condensation, and vice versa. Incorrect or incomplete humidity data directly leads to inaccurate forecasts of a variety of weather phenomena, including the condensation height of clouds, the location of wetlands, fog layers and storms.

The latest development from Rotronic is the HycoClip HC2A-S3A, protected with an additional protective coating and with new connection technology, especially suitable for use in high humidity areas and offshore applications. With the additional protective coating, this probe is also suitable for applications in agriculture with fungicides, pesticides and herbicides.

Any weather monitoring equipment used at sea must, by definition, be robust enough to withstand the harshest conditions. This includes extreme temperatures, stormy winds, snow, ice and salt spray. At the same time, however, these devices must also be sensitive enough to detect slight changes in temperature or humidity, provide reliable and consistent measurements over long periods of time, and be small and light enough to fit easily into a compact weather station.