Sensors and measurement accuracy
The network uses weather sensors of identical design, namely the METEOHELIX® IoT Pro station marketed by the Barani company. These energy-independent stations are small in size (22.6 cm by 17 cm), weigh just 1.2 kg and offer excellent accuracy for all measured variables. The anemometer-weathervanes are METEOWIND® IoT Pro models, also marketed by Barani, while the rain gauge is from the Davis catalog.
Location and distribution
The stations are installed in the following geographical areas:
- A reference station, ideally located in an agricultural area and away from main roads whenever possible. It enables measurements taken in urban centers to be compared with atmospheric temperatures in less artificial environments. In particular, this station is used to calculate urban heat islands (UHI);
- A station set up in the heart of a large old urban park, to assess the cooling potential of these green spaces in an urban environment;
- A station located in a planted area, usually recently landscaped, designated by the partner local authorities;
- A station located near or within an industrial zone;
- A station installed near a synthetic sports field, to measure the heat release associated with these surfaces;
- A station located near or within a school. These establishments are attended by young people, who are potentially more vulnerable to heat episodes, which justifies specific monitoring;
- The station is located in the heart of a residential area, the density of which may vary depending on the local authority partner;
- A station located near or within a hospital complex. As in the case of schools, the aim is to assess the heat exposure of groups likely to be more vulnerable.
Visualization and analysis
From an open science perspective, the data and synthetic analyses of the latter will soon be available for viewing and downloading, both on the Centre d’Expertise Scientifique sur le Multirisques (CESM) and on the MRN’s open data portal.