Where is the new Stevenson Sensor Located?

[jgda]

I see there is a new sensor at Stevenson. Does anyone know where this is located and whether it will read more reliably than the old sensor?

[combs]

I believe it is located on the light tower at the end of the sand bar by the mouth of rock creek. Typically the wind is stronger at this location versus the launch sites and pier meter.

[windfind]

Hi Gang,

The image below shows the location of both the old and new sensor.

I spent the afternoon today watching the new sensor's output vs. the actual wind on the water vs. sail sizes on the water.

Preliminary thoughts.

1. This location will solve the issue with the old sensor reading temps 10 degrees high.

2. The new sensor reflects the fact that the winds are stronger just west of Bob's beach. So if you sail mostly on a beam reach straight across the river the sensor will probably read 3-4 knots high. When it was reading 18 knots all the 6.0 range sails straight out from Bob's were bobbing. While the same size sails in the area of the new sensor and westward were mostly planing.

3. This sensor should not be impacted by the presence or absence of the stern wheeler so you can forget about this cam correction factor.

4. In East winds my guess is that this sensor read about the same as the old sensor but it will be more accurate on those days when the winds are more ENE since the old sensor was partially in a wind shadow.

You can send me your observations at mike AT iwindsurf.com

Thanks to Stuart Hill for this great install!

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com/ikitesurf.com
Weatheflow.com

[schweitzer]

Are THE "SKY" And "AIR" Sensors there now?

[katosandog]

This is a very good idea, and Mike is exactly right with all his observations.

People should pay careful attention to his second point: 2. The new sensor reflects the fact that the winds are stronger just west of Bob's beach. So if you sail mostly on a beam reach straight across the river the sensor will probably read 3-4 knots high. When it was reading 18 knots all the 6.0 range sails straight out from Bob's were bobbing. While the same size sails in the area of the new sensor and westward were mostly planing.

[westender]

Do people look up a wind speed on Iwindsurf to decide on a sail size?
I sailed Bob's on the 13th pm

[cgoudie1]

Nobody I sail with rigs by the Iwindsurf meters, but I do use them to decide
where and when I'm going, so a fudge factor (of 3 or 4 knots) is always
appreciated.

-Craig

[windfind]