What is a common issue that can occur with RAWS sensors?

Sensor drift or malfunction is a common issue encountered with Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS). This phenomenon occurs when the sensors begin to provide inaccurate readings over time, which can be attributed to factors such as environmental exposure, wear and tear, or calibration errors.

As the sensors detect various weather parameters, they can gradually drift from their calibrated settings, leading to data that does not reflect actual conditions. This can impact data accuracy, which is critical for weather monitoring and decisions in fields like firefighting, agriculture, and environmental management. Regular calibration and maintenance are essential to mitigate this issue, ensuring that the sensors continue to function accurately and reliably.

In contrast, while battery overheating, data overload, and complete system shutdown can occur in RAWS systems, these are not as prevalent or as specific to the sensors themselves compared to sensor drift or malfunction. The ongoing nature of environmental exposure makes sensor drift particularly significant in the context of RAWS technology.