An anemometer data quality control method designed for a turbulence and wind shear prediction algorithm

The wind information system being developed as part of the Juneau Terrain-Induced Turbulence Project relies on data collected from a network of anemometers. The system depends on high-quality data to issue timely and accurate turbulence and wind shear warnings for the Juneau, Alaska Airport vicinity. A quality control index is calculated for the network of anemometers in order to reduce errors introduced by several failure mode processes. When the index drops below a predetermined threshold, the data are withdrawn from the hazard calculation to insure accuracy of the warning system.

In this paper a high-level description of the quality control algorithm used for the real-time data feed is provided. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by comparing the data and quality indices reported by two neighboring anemometers. Overall performance and case studies describing various failure modes will be presented. Such quality control procedures should be valuable for additional applications requiring high-fidelity wind information.