December 11, 2025
The challenge
Mobile storm-chasing platforms expose meteorological sensors to some of the harshest operating conditions encountered in atmospheric research.
Based on previous field campaigns, the Twister Fisters team experienced repeated issues with both propeller-type anemometers and competitor ultrasonic wind sensors, including:
- Mechanical failure due to hail, road debris, and vibration.
- Degraded data quality in highly turbulent, near-surface flow.
- Ongoing maintenance requirements linked to moving parts.
In preparation for building a new aluminium-framed instrument rack for a personal mobile mesonet vehicle, the team required a robust wind measurement solution capable of:
- Surviving severe weather impact events.
- Delivering accurate, real-time wind data at the surface.
- Measuring wind speeds reliably over and beyond 50m/s.
- Operating without exposed mechanical components or breakable prongs.
Accuracy and survivability were essential, particularly given the realistic possibility of sampling extreme wind environments associated with supercell thunderstorms and, potentially, tornadoes.
Solution
Driven by previous disappointment with competitor ultrasonic sensors and the limitations of mechanical anemometers, Twister Fisters selected the FT Technologies FT752-D-PM solid-state ultrasonic Acu-Res® wind sensor.
The FT752-D-PM's no moving parts design provides a critical advantage for mobile mesonet and storm-chasing applications, where exposure to hail, debris, and intense vibration can quickly compromise traditional wind sensors. Its solid-state construction enables reliable ultrasonic wind measurement while maintaining data quality in rapidly changing and highly turbulent flow conditions.
The FT752 is certified by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). This independent verification tests the sensor across its full range up to 90 m/s and for survivability at 120% of full scale (=108m/s - in the range of a Category 5 hurricane!). This gives storm-chasers and mobile mesonet teams confidence that the sensor can withstand rapidly escalating wind speeds and capture rare, high-impact events.
Results
Following multiple deployments and extensive testing, the FT752-PM has demonstrated reliable performance as part of the SCOUT1 mobile mesonet system. The team benefits from:
- Consistent, high-quality surface wind measurements.
- Real-time data availability during active storm intercepts.
- Reduced risk of sensor damage compared to mechanical alternatives.
Near Morton, Texas on June 5th, 2025, they reached an extremely close tornado encounter plotting wind speed data of 51.5 m/s.
As development continues, the instrument rack will be expanded to integrate a full suite of measurements, including temperature, pressure, relative humidity, wind, solar radiation and PM2.5. The modular rack design allows direct transfer between platforms, enabling future permanent deployment on FISTER1 once operational.
FT752-D-PM Wind Sensor
Certified to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Environmental Test Standard, and designed for integration into OEM equipment, the FT752-D-PM delivers accurate wind speed measurement up to 90m/s, temperature and full 360° direction measurement. It features superior corrosion-resistance with a hard-anodised body and is very tolerant of high electric field environments.
