Using computational fluid dynamics and field experiments to improve vehicle-based wind measurements for environmental monitoring

Hanlon, Tara; Risk, David

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-191-2020

Articles | Volume 13, issue 1

https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-191-2020

© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-191-2020

© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 13, issue 1

Research article

|

16 Jan 2020

Research article |

| 16 Jan 2020

Using computational fluid dynamics and field experiments to improve vehicle-based wind measurements for environmental monitoring

Tara Hanlon and David Risk

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-191-2020-supplement

Data sets

Mobile_and_Stationary_Anemometer_Wind-SoutheasternSK_May2017_v2 T. Hanlon and D. Risk https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.9922274

Short summary

In this study, we aimed to improve accuracy of wind speed and direction measurements from an anemometer mounted atop a research vehicle. Controlled field tests and computer simulations showed that the vehicle shape biases airflow above the vehicle. The results indicate that placing an anemometer at a significant height (> 1 m) above the vehicle, and calibrating anemometer measurements for vehicle shape and wind angle, can be effective in reducing bias in measurements of wind speed and direction.