Snow control measures of 2D ultrasonic anemometer

Abstract

An anemometer could cause measurement omission due to heavy snow. Snow melting heaters have been installed in general ultrasonic anemometers. However, they will cause power supply restrictions in long-term measurement with snowy cold conditions. Thus, it is difficult to apply them to a weather observation in snowy mountainous areas. We performed wind tunnel experiments and outdoor experiments for snow control measures of the 2D ultrasonic anemometer without snow melting heaters. The snow-hood has been effective for the protection against snow. In addition, the method of setting the anemometer upside down was effective. By applying these methods, power consumption and measurement omission can be greatly reduced in the weather observation by using the 2D ultrasonic anemometer in snowy mountainous areas.