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Errors in turbulence measurements with a sonic anemometer

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Abstract

Errors in surface-layer wind data obtained by sonic anemometers are estimated as a function of relative wind direction using a comparison between two identical anemometers. The maximum errors in mean windspeed and the standard deviations of the horizontal wind components are found to be between 10 and 20%. Agreement between the size of the measured errors and those calculated from wind-tunnel data is fair.

In addition, vertical velocity data are analysed to show the presence of flow distortion induced by the asymmetry in the sonic anemometer probe and the mounting of the probe on the top of a mast.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Meteorological Office Research Unit, MK42 OTH, RAF Cardington, Bedford, England

    A. L. M. Grant & R. D. Watkins

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  1. A. L. M. Grant
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  2. R. D. Watkins
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Grant, A.L.M., Watkins, R.D. Errors in turbulence measurements with a sonic anemometer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 46, 181–194 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118453

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118453

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