Chelmer Park

Hi, I have a Wastson W8686 PWS which is a clone of the HP2550. I've noticed over recent weeks that my PWS would register the odd 0.3mm when there are clear skies. It happened again around lunchtime today. Sun is shining and 0.3mm is recorded. I checked the PWS Friday, cleaned out the tipping bucket (it wasn't dirty as I'd done this the week before because of these odd issues). I'm wondering whether the wind is playing a part and moving the pole it's attached too. For example we had heavy rain this morning so it's possible the bucket could have been almost at tipping point when it stopped raining and the slightest movement tipped it. Had anyone come across this issue of recording rain when there is none? TIA Dave

Found this. Apparently happened in 1957, maybe happened between now and then.

Pleasant day here today. A largely sunny day for a change. Reached 21.3C. Overnight low was just 8.3C.

I've been in Adelaide in 39C and it's more bearable than 25C in this country.

No rain in Chelmsford yet. T-storms forecast from 2pm. Now 4pm. Radar shows t-storms moving this way then they fizzle out before reaching us. For the last two hours there have been very dark skies to the west of us but sunny spells overhead. 22.5C so a pleasant summers day.

Dull, misty and humid here. Overnight low of 16.1C. Yesterday was better than forecast. Only 0.2mm of rain. Radar showing a very wet and possibly thundery afternoon for us. Heading to North West England on Friday just as their weather finally breaks

At the moment we seem to have got off lighlty with the rain in Chelmsford. 0.2mm this morning and cricket now underway in the park. Sun keeps trying to break through.

Hi, Does anyone know of an accurate weather station in the Wigan area that I can get reliable reading from? Many Thanks Dave

You're right but it's the arrows that I drew on the photo that are slightly wrong. They aren't exactly pointing North and South, more NNE and SSW but it was just to give a rough idea where south was.

I suppose the air temperature warms up the air around the sensor when the sun is out. The old school thermometer by the back door which is in shade all the time this time of year was recording a touch over 11C at the time.

That's a good spot. There do seem to be quite a few days that the top temp has been around 2:30pm. It's been in the same location since I set it up on the 23rd Jan. To the south of the PWS is a path and to the south of that a lawn. See pic.

This is today: This is from the first full day I set it up (24th Jan) to today. On this one, I don't now where the 13C reading earlier this afternoon has gone.

Ok that's interesting regarding the WS80 giving better radiation screening. I've put my Watson W8686 PWS in a sunny spot, the closest obstructions are to the north, however I've noticed a couple of times and especially today as it's been sunny that my temperature reading has suddenly spiked. I'm assuming the bit at the bottom is the radiation shield for the temperature sensor but it doesn't seem to be giving much protection. It sits on top of a silver pole and I'm wondering if this could be an issue. Alternatively the sun is still low in the sky so that might be the cause.

Thanks yes I had read that with an all in one it's not possible to get the best readings for everything. I read that the wind sensor should be 33ft high. I took the decision that an accurate temperature reading was the one I was most interested in so that's 5ft above the ground in the corner of my veg patch. See photo. Regarding debris, it had crossed my mind about leaves in Autumn as we have some big trees nearby and when the Ash starts to drop its leave they get everywhere. I hadn't however considered the birds until etaf mentioned it in one of his other threads. Hence my question about a bird spike.

That's great thanks. How do you find the temperature readings with it? Particularly in summer, does it give reliable readings even though it's in the sun? I know it has the protector on it but some I've seen are quite large, I assume to allow airflow and keep it a realistic reading. I've only had mine just over 2 weeks so haven't been through a hot spell yet. I think being on the edge of a park seems to give lower readings that those nearby on housing estates.