Evaluation of Weather Sensors for Urban Environmental Monitoring at Cleveland State University*

Accurate environmental monitoring is essential for effective urban planning. This study evaluates weather sensors at Cleveland State University, focusing on their performance in an urban setting, and investigates the methodology for programming and installation, providing valuable insights for future urban environmental monitoring projects. LoggerNet software was used for data collection, and Python was used for analysis. Based on conducted CFD modeling to determine wind direction and minimize obstacles, two installations were made on CSU sites across campus: the first site featured the Young anemometer, CS320, HygroVUE10, and CR1000X, while the second site used the MetSENS500 and CR350. The installations utilize cellular communication across campus. Observations from in-lab testing show that the MetSENS500, WindSonic4, CS320, and HygroVUE10 demonstrated high accuracy with minimal maintenance requirements. The Young 81000V-90L provided precise wind data but required further investigation into its temperature readings. Finally, the SP20/SP90-L effectively restored energy to the rechargeable battery. These findings make the instruments suitable for installations, optimizing weather data usage for energy efficiency and development strategies, and provide valuable information for the installation of three more sensor assemblies on CSU's campus within the next year.