Davis VP2 vs. NWS MMTS: Temperature Performance Comparison
This chart compares continuous temperature data between the Davis VP2, equipped with a daytime fan-aspirated radiation shield, and Adrian’s Weather Cooperative observation thermometer. The primary objective is to quantify the performance and radiation shield efficiency of the Davis VP2 relative to NWS reference standards under varying solar and wind conditions. The live MMTS observation display can be viewed here. The sensor setup, including placement and exposure, can be viewed here. The graph updates automatically every minute.
MMTS temperature observations are collected using an automated Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system. A Raspberry Pi captures an image of the MMTS display every 10 seconds, and the reading from the first image of each minute is extracted and stored in the website database. These values are then plotted alongside the corresponding Davis VP2 observations. Because the data are obtained through OCR, occasional missing or inaccurate readings may occur due to variations in lighting conditions, display clarity, or image quality. Occasional spikes or sudden changes in the graph may also occur due to temporary OCR recognition errors when reading the MMTS display. Ongoing software refinements are being implemented to further improve data reliability.