Gill’s MaxiMet compact weather stations will provide weather data to the first ever BBC CountryFile Live, one of the UK’s largest country shows.
From 4th-7th August 2016, the MaxiMet GMX 500 will be collecting data across the Countryfile Live site at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The weather station will be streaming live information on wind speed, wind direction, dew point, humidity and temperature in order to ensure the weather condition around the 2000 acre site remain within health and safety regulations. The data collected by MaxiMet is available to view in real-time on the Richard Paul Russell Weatherfile website.
Supplied by distributor Richard Paul Russell (R-P-R), MaxiMet has been chosen due to its compact nature, multitude of weather parameter options, Gill’s renowned reliability and the ease of integration into Weatherfile.
Gill Instruments has expanded the MaxiMet range of compact weather stations by introducing two new variants with additional precipitation options. Developed to meet customer needs in areas subjected to heavier rainfalls, the new models capabilities can provide improved rainfall data to applications including PV parks, hydrological stations and coastal monitoring stations.
GMX 531 is supplied with an aerodynamic tipping bucket rain gauge and 20m cable.
The latest models, GMX531 and GMX551 offer precipitation measurement via a separate connector for tipping bucket rain gauges in addition to the existing features such as solar radiation, temperature, humidity, pressure and wind measurement all combined into a single output available via multiple digital interface options.
The GMX 531 is supplied with an aerodynamic tipping bucket rain gauge and 20m cable, allowing it to be positioned in accordance with WMO guidelines. The aerodynamic rain gauge supplied with the GMX531 features a typical 0.2mm resolution and is capable of measuring precipitation up to 1000mm per hour at±2% accuracy.
GMX551 offers precipitation measurement via a separate connector.
The GMX551 is fitted with the integrated connector, which users can link with any 0.2mm rain gauge.
“The new MaxiMet weather stations with expanded precipitation measurements have been developed in response to customer requests for high performance in areas where heavy rainfall is often experienced” says Richard McKay at Gill Instruments. “Since its launch, MaxiMet has proven incredibly popular with a wide variety of users and its popularity is partly due to the many configurations available and flexibility offered throughout the range.”
Gill’s MaxiMet compact weather stations are being used as part of the University of Bristol’s environmental project to monitor bee activity.
‘Live from the Hive’ is a research project put together by The University of Bristol, At-Bristol – a UK interactive science centre, and BeeBristol which aims to use social media and technology to educate people about the effects of human activity on bees.
The ‘Live from the hive’ project has features on the BBC Two programme Springwatch
A beehive on the science sites greenhouse roof is being monitored using an array of scientific equipment, including Gill MaxiMet all-in-one weather stations, to gather data on air quality and weather to see how it affects bee behaviour. This data will be compared with another bee colony located in the the city of Langford to compare how human behaviour impacts the bees. It is predicted that implications of the seven day air quality cycles which is influenced by commuter traffic and city living will have an effect on the activity of the bees.
MaxiMet GMX 100 and 501 have been chosen to provide the essential weather information for the project. MaxiMet 100 provides data on rain fall, while the 501 measures multiple weather parameters on wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, pressure and solar radiation. The Gill weather stations offer multiple benefits over other instruments on the market, its flexibility to monitor a vast range of environmental parameters through different configuration options is foremost.
MaxiMet GMX 100 & 501 are used to monitor weather on the site.
“We are delighted to be able to supply our MaxiMet weather station to the project” says Richard Mckay, Product Manager at Gill Instruments. “The 501 and 100 were chosen due to their weather monitoring options, compact design, ease of installation and the known reliability of Gill products.”
The project is the first of its kind to use social media and live webcams in this way to engage people with the project. Webcam images, in-character tweets and weather data reported from MaxiMet will be shared on the project website, Twitter accounts and has also run for three weeks as part of a feature on the BBC Two programme Springwatch.
Gill’s WindSonic chosen for tsunami detection buoys after tests prove it is the most reliable.
On 22nd September 2015, the Chilean Navy research vessel Cabo de Hornos departed from Valparaiso, Chile, loaded with two experimental 4th generation buoys known as DART-4G (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami) which feature Gill WindSonic ultrasonic wind sensors.
DART-4G buoys uses Gill WindSonics for reliable wind speed measurement.
The deployment is part of a trial by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with the Servicio Hidrografico y Oceanografico de la Armada de Chile (SHOA), to monitor the seismically active Chilean subduction zone.
Tsunami waves involve the movement of water all the way down to the sea floor, but the effects of wind-driven ocean waves are only seen near the surface. In order to distinguish a tsunami wave from wind generated waves, it is essential to have reliable wind measurements.
WindSonic was tested against alternatives and chosen because it was the only anemometer to remain operational in such extreme conditions. With its solid-state ultrasonic technology the WindSonic has a robust corrosion-free construction providing reliable operation for many harsh environmental conditions.
On September 16th 2015 a massive earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale hit some locations of the Chilean coast causing a 5 metre tsunami. The DART-4G instrument buoys can separate the seismic noise from the tsunami wave signal allowing forecasters to measure the tsunami wave as the earth is still shaking and greatly improve warning time. As NOAA’s Tsunami Program Director, Michael Angove, described, even an additional 20 minute warning is “an ‘eternity’ in terms of near-field tsunami forecasts where waves can begin inundating coastlines within 15-20 minutes (or less)”.
The NOAA/SHOA research partnership is the result of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both organizations in June of 2015 and over the next 5 years, the DART-4G instrument buoys with WindSonic, will provide coverage for improved forecasts throughout the Pacific.
For more information on Gill’s range of ultrasonic anemometers contact +44(0)1590 613500.
Sources: US Chile Embassy, Tsunami Alarm Systems, NOAA, SHOA
Gill Instruments’ MaxiMet Compact Weather Station has been chosen to provide weather data across one of the UK’s busiest stretches of water.
Working in collaboration with Rock Seven, Hydrosphere and the ABP Port of Southampton, a new weather website has been launched to support safety and voyage planning for users of the Solent. The website reports the real-time conditions from data captured on the Calshot Spit Light Float and is available for both professional and recreational users.
The Solent is a major shipping route for passenger, freight and military vessels carrying over 42 million tonnes of cargo each year. Recreational water sports including yachting also populate the water, as it hosts the annual Cowes Week sailing event.
The Solent divides the Isle of Wight from the mainland and has a complex tidal pattern, known as a “double high tide” which varies the width of the water by an additional one to four miles, extending the tidal window when deep-draught ships can dock.
Gill’s MaxiMet GMX600 is used to provide superior real-time meteorological data to provide current weather conditions affecting the water and tide levels. The weather station sits at the top of the float and is integrated into Rock Seven’s RockFLEET vessel tracking and communication system, reporting data on wind direction, speed, air temperature, humidity and precipitation.
The Calshot Spit float is a collaboration of the best instrumentation from local organisations to create a high profile weather float. It is managed by ABP Southampton and alongside MaxiMet is fitted with instrumentation from Hydrosphere, with satellite technology provided by Rock Seven.
The new Solent weather website is now live to browse via www.rock7.com/wind
For more information on how MaxiMet Weather Stations can be used for superior meteorological measurement please contact 01590 613500.
The new WindObserver 90 is the latest high speed ultrasonic anemometer in the WindObserver range.
WindObserver 90 is the latest high speed ultrasonic anemometer in the stainless steel WindObserver range, so now the quality, reliability and intelligent processing in WindObserver will measure wind speeds up to 90 m/s, making it suitable for cyclonic regions around the world. It is now available with optional high power heating – effective against quickly accreting rime-icing or freezing rain conditions.
The new WindObserver IS (75m/s) which is certified for use in intrinsically safe zones now offers faster processing, improved performance and customisation together with two intrinsically safe power supply options. Further improvements across the range include customisable outputs and averaging options.
Next generation Software
Next generation MetView and Met Set software
Powerful, next generation, browser-based user software is on its way. Demo the new smart-device compatible MetSet and MetView software, which allows advanced customisation through its ergonomic and simple web interface. Users can configure and manage instruments, store data locally and view live and historic data using wired/wireless networking technology including Bluetooth.
MetSet and MetView user software features an intuitive GUI. Configure your device using clearly presented sliders and drop down options and stream data directly via the real-time display. Using MetView, live or historic data can be presented and built-in trend graphs allow configurable time periods.
Configure your instrument to log data directly to your storage device and export CSV data.
Intelligent 3 Axis Anemometer Heating
Gill’s technology is adapted for best available data in cold conditions.
To address customer challenges with current market approaches to high power heating with 3-axis anemometers, Gill are developing new hardware and signal processing solutions to achieve intelligent and continuous measurements in cold, condensing conditions including extreme events such as freezing rain. Visit the stand for further information and to view/discuss the results from cold weather testing over the past 12 months.
Labcal – testing and calibration services
Labcal Calibration company joins Gill
Gill has recently acquired Labcal, a UKAS calibration service company, providing professional calibration services to internationally recognised standards. A range of instrumentation can be tested and calibrated including gas, pressure, temperature, air speed, liquid flow and humidity. Labcal has over 35 years’ experience and is able to provide the best testing and calibration services for any instrumentation.
Meteorological Technology World Expo takes place from 13th-15th October 2015, in Brussels, Belgium. Visit us on stand 4070 for demonstrations and discussions on how these latest developments can benefit your applications.
From 4th-7th August 2016, the MaxiMet GMX 500 will be collecting data across the Countryfile Live site at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The weather station will be streaming live information on wind speed, wind direction, dew point, humidity and temperature in order to ensure the weather condition around the 2000 acre site remain within health and safety regulations. The data collected by MaxiMet is available to view in real-time on the Richard Paul Russell Weatherfile website.
