Meteorological Measurements and Instrumentation

This book describes the fundamental scientific principles underlying high quality instrumentation used for environmental measurements. It discusses a wide range of in situ sensors employed in practical environmental monitoring and, in particular, those used in surface based measurement systems. It also considers the use of weather balloons to provide a wealth of upper atmosphere data. To illustrate the technologies in use it includes many examples of real atmospheric measurements in typical and unusual circumstances, with a discussion of the electronic signal conditioning,  data acquisition considerations and data processing principles necessary for reliable measurements. This also allows the long history of atmospheric measurements to be placed in the context of the requirements of modern climate science, by building the physical science appreciation of the instrumental record and looking forward to new and emerging sensor and recording technologies.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Principles of Measurement and Instrumentation
Chapter 3 Electronics and Analogue Signal Processing
Chapter 4 Data Acquisition Systems and Initial Data Analysis
Chapter 5 Temperature
Chapter 6 Humidity
Chapter 7 Atmospheric Pressure
Chapter 8 Wind Speed and Direction
Chapter 9 Radiation
Chapter 10 Clouds, Precipitation and Atmospheric Electricity
Chapter 11 Upper Air Instruments
Chapter 12 Further Methods for Environmental Data Analysis

Appendix A Writing a Brief Instrumentation Paper
Appendix B Anemometer Coordinate Rotations