Requirements for Meteorological Station Site Selection and Its Importance

Meteorological stations are essential for monitoring climate elements and collecting data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and sunlight. The site selection of these stations directly impacts the accuracy and reliability of the data. Improper location choices can lead to distorted measurements, which in turn can affect weather forecasts, agricultural management, and other decisions that depend on meteorological data. Therefore, scientific site selection is key to ensuring the proper function of meteorological stations. This article will analyze the specific requirements for site selection and its importance in detail.

1. Basic Requirements for Meteorological Station Site Selection 

1.1. Open Surroundings, Avoid Obstructions

   - Reason: Meteorological stations need to accurately measure wind speed, wind direction, sunlight, and other elements. Tall buildings, trees, or other obstacles can interfere with air flow, causing turbulence or blocking sunlight, leading to data deviation. For example, wind sensors may underestimate wind speed due to obstructions, while sunlight sensors may fail to reflect the true intensity of sunlight due to shadows.

   - Requirement: The site should ensure that there are no tall obstructions within at least a 10-meter radius, providing an open view and unobstructed air flow. 

1.2. Avoid High Magnetic Field Areas

   - Reason: Meteorological stations rely on sensors to collect data, and strong magnetic fields (such as those from transformers, high-voltage power lines, or communication towers) may interfere with the sensors, causing inaccuracies in temperature, humidity, or pressure data.

   - Requirement: The installation site should be far from sources of electromagnetic interference to ensure the stable operation of sensors. 

1.3. Avoid Pollution Sources and Human Disturbance

   - Reason: Industrial emissions, traffic exhaust, or human activities (such as urban heat island effects) can alter local climate conditions, affecting the representativeness of the data. For example, a site near a road may show an elevated temperature reading due to heat from passing vehicles.

   - Requirement: The site should avoid factories, busy roads, or densely populated areas, maintaining the natural state of the environment. 

1.4. Flat and Stable Ground

   - Reason: Uneven or soft ground may cause the equipment to tilt or shift, affecting measurement accuracy and the safety of the equipment.

   - Requirement: A flat, stable foundation should be selected, and if necessary, the ground should be reinforced with cement to ensure the equipment is securely installed. 

1.5. Consider Natural Environmental Features

   - Reason: Soil type, terrain elevation, and humidity levels can impact measurements of ground temperature, precipitation, and other factors. For example, low-lying areas may accumulate water, disturbing rain gauges and ground temperature sensors.

   - Requirement: Priority should be given to areas with stable soil and moderate terrain, avoiding extreme environments such as swamps or steep slopes.

 2. Special Site Selection Requirements for Different Types of Meteorological Stations 

2.1. Agricultural Meteorological Stations

   - Cloud and Visibility Observation: A clear view is needed to monitor cloud cover and distant weather phenomena, avoiding obstructions such as trees or buildings that may block visibility.

   - Sunlight and Ground Temperature Monitoring: The site should ensure adequate sunlight and avoid shadows, while being far from heat sources (e.g., building walls) to accurately reflect ground temperature. 

2.2. Forestry Meteorological Stations

   - Forest Microclimate: When installed in forested areas, the station should be located in a representative area of the forest climate, but not directly under the tree canopy to avoid interference with wind speed and sunlight data.

   - Topographical Considerations: Site selection should be adjusted according to the terrain of the forest (such as slopes or valleys) to ensure the data reflects the real environment. 

2.3. Urban Meteorological Stations

   - Heat Island Effect Monitoring: The site should avoid green spaces and bodies of water, prioritizing open areas in the city center to capture the urban climate characteristics.

   - Traffic Interference: The site should be far from main roads and dense buildings to reduce the impact of human-generated heat and emissions.

 3. Specific Advantages of an Open Site 

3.1. Improves Data Accuracy  

   - In open areas, air flows smoothly without interference from obstacles, ensuring that wind speed and direction data are closer to the real values. In contrast, turbulence near buildings may lead to underestimated wind speeds or inaccurate wind direction readings. 

3.2. Optimizes Observation Conditions  

   - Open views make it easier to monitor cloud cover, visibility, and weather phenomena, which is especially important for agriculture and aviation meteorology. For example, obstructions may hinder accurate rainfall or sunlight measurements. 

3.3. Reduces Environmental Interference  

   - Open spaces avoid the effects of building heat reflections or changes in local humidity, ensuring that temperature, humidity, and ground temperature data reflect the natural state of the environment.

 4. Importance of Site Selection 

4.1. Ensures Data Reliability  

   - Only with scientific site selection can a meteorological station provide accurate data, avoiding measurement errors caused by environmental interference. This lays the foundation for weather forecasting and climate analysis. 

4.2. Supports Practical Applications  

   - Agriculture depends on meteorological data to optimize irrigation and planting plans, while forestry uses it to monitor fire risks, and urban planning relies on it to improve the heat island effect. Improper site selection can undermine the effectiveness of these applications. 

4.3. Enhances Long-term Benefits  

   - Proper site selection reduces the need for later adjustments or relocations, saving costs and ensuring the stable operation of equipment over the long term.

Conclusion：

The site selection of meteorological stations is the first step in ensuring the quality of monitoring data. When selecting a site, factors such as open surroundings, avoidance of magnetic fields and pollution sources, and a stable ground must be prioritized. Additionally, site selection should be adjusted based on the specific use case, such as agriculture, forestry, or urban monitoring. An open site not only improves data accuracy but also optimizes observation conditions and reduces environmental interference, providing reliable support for weather forecasting and related industries. Through scientific site selection, meteorological stations can fully play their role as essential tools for climate research and decision-making.