Topic: Strange Place for a Weather Station

[SlowModem]

While traveling to Nashville this morning, I noticed a weather station in the median of I-40 at mile marker 304.5, just inside Cumberland County.  I suppose it's for TDOT.

The anemometer is not 33' high.  It seems to me that every time a truck goes by, it would show a wind gust.   

I guess it's ok for temp and RH.  The wind speed/direction would be way off though.   

[blackjack52]

Why does the wind always blow east and west? 
Why does the OAT always rise and fall b/w 7a-9a and 4p-6p? 

[Mark / Ohio]

They have them around here too.  I suspect what look's like an anemometer might also be used to charge the battery when the solar panels are not being hit by sun.  It is the airplane type with a large thin bladed propeller on the front.  Blades are probably 10" or so across.  Pretty good size.  Then as I recall some have more normal size anemometer with wind cups below the big one.  They also monitor road moisture and measure speed in the both driving and passing lane in both directions.  Here's one just South of town on ODOT's website:  http://www.buckeyetraffic.org/

(This state 4 lane divided highway is posted 65mph.  When I looked a little bit ago one lane registered an average speed of 82mph.  The highway patrol is in the process of building a new post in the area to replace the one on the highway through the city that was bypassed.  They have been raking in the money over there on speeding tickets.  Should be helping pay for the new building.    )

SITE:     12-US-33 @ SR793
LAST UPDATE:    11/16/2009 11:27:00 PM
AIR TEMP:    47.1 ° F
REL HUMIDITY:    72 %
DEWPOINT TEMP:    37.4 ° F
AVG WIND SPEED:    0.0 mph
MAX WIND SPEED:    0.0 mph
WIND DIRECTION:    NE
PRECIPITATION:    None
PRECIP RATE:    0.0 iph
VISIBILITY:    1.2 miles


SURFACE SENSOR:    US33 EB Driving
LAST UPDATED:    11/16/2009 11:27:00 PM
SURFACE STATUS:    Dry
SURFACE TEMP:    47.1 ° F
SUBSURFACE TEMP:    55.0 ° F
AVG SPEED:    57.8 mph
PERIOD COUNT:    13


SURFACE SENSOR:    US33 EB Passing
LAST UPDATED:    11/16/2009 11:27:00 PM
SURFACE STATUS:    Dry
SURFACE TEMP:    46.4 ° F
AVG SPEED:    75.8 mph
PERIOD COUNT:    5


SURFACE SENSOR:    US33 WB Passing
LAST UPDATED:    11/16/2009 11:27:00 PM
SURFACE STATUS:    Dry
SURFACE TEMP:    46.8 ° F
AVG SPEED:    75.2 mph
PERIOD COUNT:    1


SURFACE SENSOR:    US33 WB Driving
LAST UPDATED:    11/16/2009 11:27:00 PM
SURFACE STATUS:    Dry
SURFACE TEMP:    47.1 ° F
AVG SPEED:    62.1 mph
PERIOD COUNT:    2


SURFACE SENSOR:    Bridge Deck Simulator
LAST UPDATED:    11/16/2009 11:27:00 PM
SURFACE STATUS:    Other
SURFACE TEMP:    46.9 ° F

I'm going to have to stop with my camera sometime and take pictures of it.  Then maybe I can figure out who made it and more about how it works.

[floodcaster]

These are normally owned/operated by state DOT's or toll authorities. I believe they are most interested in surface/pavement temps for ice formation especially at bridges as well as snow removal.

[SlowModem]

Well, it seems TDOT has several stations around.  Someone has posted an article and picture of one in Kingsport, TN.  This one looks like it's farther off the road, so it is probably a little more accurate than the one I mentioned.

[mmorris]

Here is the one that is closest to my site and I have it listed on my index page:  http://www.buckeyetraffic.org/dialogs/rwis/ViewSite.aspx?id=612011&bg=000000&c=FFFFFF