Cyclone Energy Group (Cyclone) is currently conducting an experimental study on the thermal performance of balconies and floor slabs in a high-rise residential building located on the South Side of Chicago. As part of this study, Cyclone’s research team will monitor local weather conditions, such as ambient air temperature; relative air humidity; wind speed, direction, and gust; and direct solar radiation in order to obtain more accurate experimental results.

To observe these local weather variables, the Cyclone team installed a HOBO U30 weather station on the roof of the studied building on February 4^th, 2016. The station had been pre-assembled in the office with all sensors loosely attached to the mast. Once on site, the sensors were properly positioned and attached to the main frame. They include an air temperature and relative humidity sensor (attached to the inside of a plastic sun shield); two black plastic vanes for measuring wind speed, gust, and direction (attached to a horizontal cross arm); and finally, a solar radiation sensor for measuring direct solar radiation on a horizontal surface.

The complete weather station was installed at the southeast corner of the roof with the best solar and wind exposure.  The construction was secured to the roof by wooden planks and masonry blocks.

The HOBO U30 data logger was set to record weather data at a five-minute intervals for a period of one year, and the data will be collected monthly. The logger is powered by a small PV panel.

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