The guidelines for placing a weather station suggest having temperature sensors at 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 2.0 meters) above the ground and wind sensors at 30 feet (9.1 meters) high. However, there are other factors to think about besides just the height. For example, placing an anemometer at 33 feet (10.1 meters) between tall buildings or a temperature sensor right above a hot asphalt parking lot may not give you accurate data for your specific needs. It’s important to have data that is relevant to your environment and what you want to know.
Following these guidelines may not always be possible, but it’s essential to get as close to them as you can when setting up your weather station. For more precise placement, the Vantage Pro2 is recommended as it allows for separate mounting of sensors, with the anemometer on the roof or a tower and other sensors at 6 feet (1.8 meters).
In the case of the Vantage Vue, where the sensors cannot be separated, they should be mounted at the same height. It’s important to consider which weather information matters most to you. If wind is your main interest and your yard has many trees, mounting the station on the roof at 6 feet (1.8 meters) above the ground could be the best choice. However, if you are more concerned about rain and temperature, placing the station at 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) will provide accurate readings for these variables and make maintenance easier. Keep in mind that obstructions on the ground can affect wind readings.