Stevensons Screen

by Fred Frankland
(Winchester Ca, US)

WHere Can I Buy Wooden Stevensons Screens??

Barry's Response - Here's some instructions on how to make one, take a look at this page. Fred, that's a good question.

That web page can be found here - https://www.google.com/search?q=weatherforschools+me+uk+docs+%22weather_box_louvred.pdf%22&rlz=1C1GGGE_enCA518CA518&oq=weatherforschools+me+uk+docs+%22weather_box_louvred.pdf%22&aqs=chrome..69i57.18182j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Instruments used in meteorology need to be protected. The sun gives false temperature readings. Instruments wear out faster when it rains and winds.

Air needs to flow freely through the box. During sunny weather, the temperature inside, where the thermometers are housed, builds up rapidly, so the readings are too high. It must be strong enough to withstand gales and storms.

Boxes usually have louvres, angled slats of wood or other material to let air in. They place the instruments for official weather observation and recording purposes inside the box at a height of between 125 and 200 cm (4 and 6 ft) from the ground. To make sure data is as real as possible, we place them far away from solid obstructions like trees.

Inside are devices for measuring and recording

• temperature,
• moisture content and
• pressure.

Wind speed and direction instruments must be outside of any shelter, usually 10 m (32') above the ground.

Search this site for more information now. Now what if we wanted to build one of these units from scratch? Have some fun with this...

You're in for a wild ride of woodworking wonders if you're planning to build a top-notch Stephenson screen for your weather station!

We're diving headfirst into precision and accuracy here, so brace yourself for some serious know-how, and let's get grunting!

- You're gonna need some wood, sturdy stuff that can take a punch from Mother Nature. Get some 1x4 boards, nails, a hammer, a saw (power tools if you know how to use 'em), and a tape measure. Wear safety goggles - we're building...not losing sight!

- Cut It Out with style! Measure twice, cut once! Cut the boards to the right size: two long ones and two shorter ones for the sides. There's no room for mistakes when we're chasing wind and temperature info!

- Get your hammer ready and nail those pieces together like a pro. With your frame, make a box that's as sturdy as your workbench. Make sure you're keeping everything square and tidy with that tape measure.

- Here's the tricky part: Ventilation Vacillation. It's like a turbocharged engine, you've got to get that airflow going! Mark where you want your louvers (those slatted openings for maximum ventilation.) Here, a drill is your new best friend - make those holes count!

- Louvers and Love - Attach those louvers with finesse. If you want precision, use a speed square. Make that Stephenson screen look like a weather wizard when you nail 'em down!

- Roof Reckoning - Now let's tackle that roof like a DIY demigod! Cut a piece of wood to form the top, then secure it like we're battening down the hatches. Make it water-tight, 'cause rain ain't no friend of our weather electronics.

- Finishing Flourish - Sand down those rough edges and give it a good shine, just like chrome. Make it vibrant - even Stephenson screens deserve a little flair!

That's it, compadres! I would be proud of such a Stephenson screen! Get your weather-obsessed scientist on and start gathering those readings. Safety first, accuracy second, and enthusiasm all the way!

You can find help with a more precise design online, while these steps give you the big picture as an introduction.