The Influence of Wind Direction on Campbell Scientific CSAT3 and Gill R3-50 Sonic Anemometer Measurements

Abstract

easurements from the Campbell CSAT3 and Gill R3-50 anemometers were conducted in four different experiments, in laboratory and field environments. Consistent differences between these two sonic anemometers were observed. The data have revealed that the differences were strongly correlated with the wind direction. According to the datasets used, the CSAT3 was the anemometer whose measurements were more sensitive to the instrument?s orientation relative to the wind direction. While the mean wind speed and direction remained within the manufacturers? specifications (a few percent for the wind speed and a few degrees for the wind direction), the estimates of the friction velocity from the CSAT3 differed from the R3-50 by up to 20%.