Juneau Airport Wind System (JAWS). Wind Sensor Severe Weather Performance Test Report
Abstract
The Weather Group of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center performed a wintertime assessment of wind sensors near Juneau International Airport (JNU), Alaska during the period November 2000-June 2001. The purpose of the field investigation was to assess the severe-weather performance capabilities of wind sensors currently used in the prototype JNU Wind Hazard Information System (JWHIS) developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). In addition, alternate heated anemometers including ultrasonic, mechanical, and pressure-type sensors were assessed as possible candidates for use in the operational successor to JWHIS, the Juneau Airport Wind System (JAWS). Pretest activities included wind sensor checkout and calibration in a wind tunnel at the Technical Center. A test bed was then set up on an existing equipment tower on a well-exposed mountain overlooking JNU. This ridge-top weather station has a suitable tower, equipment, and communications infrastructure to support installation and continuous operations of the test equipment. The site is subject to extreme meteorological and climatic conditions where snow and the buildup of rime ice on exposed surfaces can be substantial. Nine anemometers, all with heater capabilities, were installed along with other instrumentation including an ice detector, temperature/relative humidity probe, and Internet-capable video cameras. Data was acquired from the mountain via a high-speed wireless network in an unattended mode during the 6-month period. Continuous remote monitoring of sensor and video data was accomplished via a server with Web and FTP capabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410984
Entities
People
- Francis Law
- Michael Mckinney
- Thomas Carty
- William Benner