This website was created as a public service for residents of Gig Harbor, Washington. This weather station is privately owned and operated, and is not affiliated with the City of Gig Harbor and should not be considered an officially recognized station for weather reporting.

Never base important decisions on this or any weather information obtained from the Internet.

Weather Station Equipment

The Gig Harbor Weather station consists of a Davis Weather Instruments Vantage Pro2 Plus wireless weather station and wireless anemometer station. Whenever possible, sighting of weather sensors was done following established guidelines as detailed in the CWOP Weather Station Sighting, Performance, and Data Quality Guide in order to provide the most accurate data.

Temperature and Humidity

The Integrated Sensor Suite(ISS) contains the temperature and humidity sensors. Temperature is measured using a thermistor. The thermistor has a range of -40° to +150°F (-40° to +65°C) and an accuracy of ±1°F (±0.5°C). Temperature readings are updated every 10 seconds. Humidity is measured using a film capacitor element. The humidity sensor range is 0 to 100% RH. Accuracy is ±3% (0 to 90% RH), ±4% (90 to 100% RH). The update interval for humidity is 50 seconds to 1 minute. Dew point is calculated from humidity and has an accuracy of ±3°F (±1.5°C). The dew point update interval is 10 to 12 seconds. A 24 hour FARS (Fan Aspirated Radiation Shield) is attached to the ISS to provide better airflow around the sensors.

Wind

Wind data is provided by the anemometer and wind vane. The main wind equipment is located on a tower approximately 30 ft above the ground. Wind speed information is provided by the anemometer. Wind speed is measured in 1 mph units. Other units are converted from mph and rounded to nearest 1 km/h, 0.1 m/s, or 1 knot. Wind speed range is 2 to 150 mph, 2 to 130 knots, 1 to 67 m/s, 3 to 241 km/h. Update intervals are 2.5 seconds for instantaneous readings. The 10-minute Average wind speed is updated at 1 minute intervals. Accuracy is ±2 mph (2 kts, 3 km/h, 1 m/s) or ±5%, whichever is greater. Wind Direction is measured with the wind vane. The wind vane has a resolution of 16 points (22.5°) on compass rose, 1° in numeric display. The accuracy is ±4°, and update interval is every 2.5 seconds.

Rainfall

Rainfall is measured by the automated rain gauge with a tipping-bucket type mechanism. The rain gauge measures rainfall in 0.01 inch increments. Accuracy for rain rates up to 2"/hr (50 mm/hr): ±4% of total or +0.01" (0.25 mm)(0.01" = one tip of the bucket), whichever is greater. For rain rates from 2"/hr (50 mm/hr) to 4"/hr (100 mm/hr): ±5% of total or +0.01" (0.25 mm) (0.01" = one tip of the bucket), whichever is greater. The rainfall update interval is 10 to 12 seconds.

Special Note Regarding Rainfall Data: Automated rain gauges tend to underestimate heavy rainfall events. At times, the tipping mechanism cannot keep up with the heavy rainfall. The automated rain gauge is not heated and therefore of limited value in some of the winter months.

Snow Data

Snow Data
Snowfall is measured the old fashioned way -- with a snow stick measured in 0.1 foot increments. Snow boards are used to facilitate new snow and total snow readings when conditions are ideal. Windy conditions with drifting snow require several readings in representative areas that are averaged to determine the depth.

Solar and UV Data

The Solar Radiation Sensor, or solar pyranometer, measures global radiation, the sum at the point of measurement of both the direct and diffuse components of solar irradiance. The sensor’s transducer, which converts incident radiation to electrical current, is a silicon photodiode with wide spectral response. From the sensor’s output voltage, the console calculates and displays solar irradiance. It also integrates the irradiance values and displays total incident energy over a set period of time. 1 W/m2. The sensor range is 0 to 1800 W/m2, and accuracy is ±5% of full scale (Reference: Eppley PSP at 1000 W/m2). Sensor drift is up to ±2% per year. the update interval is 50 seconds to 1 minute.

The Davis Instruments UV Sensor is a precision instrument that detects ultraviolet (UV) radiation at wavelengths of 290 to 390 nanometers. The spectral response is closely matched to the Erythema Action Spectrum, defined by McKinlay and Diffey (1987) and internationally recognized as the radiation that is most responsible for causing redness of the human skin. The Davis Instruments Solar Radiation Sensor is a precision instrument that detects radiation at wavelengths of 300 to 1100 nanometers. The spectral response of the silicon photodiode detector is a good match to the spectrum of solar irradiance. The UV sensor has a range of 0 to 16, and an accuracy of ±5% of full scale. The update interval is 50 seconds to 1 minute.

Barometric Pressure

The station pressure sensor is housed inside the Vantage Pro2 Console. Pressure is measured in 0.01" Hg. The corrected range is 26.00" to 32.00" Hg, 660.0 to 810.0 mm Hg, 880.0 to 1080.0 hPa/mb. The update interval is 15 minutes, and accuracy is ±0.04" Hg (±1.0 mm Hg, ±1.4 hPa/mb).

Vantage Pro2 Console

The Vantage Pro2 console displays and records weather data, provides graph and alarm functions, and interfaces to the Gig Harbor Weather Station computer using the Davis datalogger and WeatherLink® software. The console receives the wireless transmissions from the ISS and wireless anemometer station.

About This Website

This site is a template design by CarterLake.org with PHP conversion by Saratoga-Weather.org.
Special thanks go to Kevin Reed at TNET Weather for his work on the original Carterlake templates, and his design for the common website PHP management.
Special thanks to Mike Challis of Long Beach WA for his wind-rose generator, Theme Switcher and CSS styling help with these templates.
Special thanks go to Ken True of Saratoga-Weather.org for the AJAX conditions display, dashboard and integration of the TNET Weather common PHP site design for this site.

Cloud height graphic courtesy of Bashewa Weather

Thermometer graphic courtesy of Bashewa Weather (adapted from Saratoga Weather)

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