Good placement of your NEWA-linked weather station is very important. NEWA risk tools and crop management models depend on accurate and precise readings throughout both day and night time periods. For example, the NEWA carbohydrate thinning model will present incorrect thinning recommendations if the solar radiation sensor over- or under-reports measurements through the day.
Recommendations
- Read the manufacturer instructions before installation.
- Choose a site that most closely represents field conditions for the area of interest.
- Place the weather station in an open area no closer than ten times the height of the nearest obstruction, such as trees, fences or buildings.
- Concrete or paved surfaces must be at least 100 feet (30 meters) from the weather station.
- Orient the weather station and wind meter (anemometer) exactly to specific manufacturer instructions.
- Precisely level the weather station, and rain gauge, to prevent inaccurate readings.
- Protect the weather station from spray applications.
- Mount the weather station on a sturdy wood fence post well-set in the ground, to prevent tractor blight and other inadvertent damage from farm equipment.
- Check all sensors and visually inspect the rain gauge for debris once monthly.
Things to avoid
- Do not install a weather station on steep slopes or unusual terrain.
- Do not place a weather station near ponds or other small bodies of water that influence temperature and humidity in the immediate surroundings.
- Do not use data from a single weather station to estimate conditions across an area with variable topography and very localized environmental conditions.