Proper Location for an Outdoor Thermometer
With the proliferation of digital weather stations and online networking of weather watchers, an increasing number of individuals are recording outdoor temperatures near their homes. A variety of factors can influence outdoor thermometers, leading to less accurate results. Fortunately, the National Weather Service has provided tips for properly locating outdoor thermometers to get accurate readings. These tips are appropriate for digital sensors as well as traditional analog thermometers.
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Height of the Thermometer
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Placement of a thermometer or digital temperature sensor is the key to accuracy. The sensor should be placed 4 to 6 feet off the earth. This will prevent ambient ground temperature from affecting the reading.
Distance From Your House
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The sensor should be in a shady location that remains dry, but it should not be too close to a building, because the inside temperature may affect readings. Thermometers placed near a building's window will especially give a less accurate outdoor measurement. NWS standards say the sensor should be placed a distance four times the height of the nearest building away from the building. So if your roof is 20 feet high, the sensor should be placed 80 feet from your house.
Protect the Thermometer from Sun
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Direct sunlight will give a higher reading. The sensor should be located where the sun will not shine on it, if possible. If it is directly in the sunlight part of the day, readings during those times will be higher. Building a small enclosure with ample ventilation and at the proper height and distance from your house may be the best way to get accurate readings.
Insure Good Airflow
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Airflow is important for good readings. Therefore, the sensor should be placed in a flat area where air moves freely, and not in an area sheltered from airflow or at the base of an incline. An exception to the incline rule would be if local terrain is consistently not level.
Distance From Pavement
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Asphalt and concrete store and emit heat, so the sensor should be at least 100 feet away from paved roadways and sidewalks. Locations above dirt or grass are ideal.
If Conditions Are Not Ideal
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Your living situation may not allow for an ideal sensor placement, as defined by the NWS. If this is the case, you can still obtain results from your thermometer, bearing in mind you are measuring only the air temperature near your building, and not the true air temperature in your wider area.
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