Inexpensive Time-Lapse Digital Cameras for Studying Transient Meteorological Phenomena: Dust Devils and Playa Flooding

Ralph D. Lorenz, Brian Jackson, Jason W. Barnes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors describe the design and performance of inexpensive and compact time-lapse cameras suitable for field deployment in remote locations for long periods and their application to studying two time-variable meteorological phenomena in arid regions: desert dust devils and transient flooding of playa lakes. The camera units (with a total parts cost of ∼$80) are based around commercial “point and shoot” digital cameras, storing ∼1500 images on a solid-state memory card over a period between an hour to several months powered by alkaline batteries. A microcontroller can trigger image acquisition based on sensor inputs or at regular intervals. Some example results are presented, showing an association of cumulus clouds with thermals from dust devils, a region of dust enhancement around a dust devil, and a dramatic range of conditions at Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. Alternative systems and applications are also discussed.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Volume27
Issue number1
StatePublished - Jan 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • dust or dust storms
  • field experiments
  • flood events
  • in situ observations
  • instrumentation/sensors

EGS Disciplines

  • Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

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