Effects of Weather Conditions on Surveying Projects

Effects of Weather Conditions on Surveying Projects

The success of surveying projects and tasks relies on the use of specialized equipment and professional individuals that can make accurate estimations and predictions about the directions, angles, and distances between points above, on, and below the earth’s surface. However, the weather can have adverse effects on surveying projects and tasks.

Surveyors can collaborate with cartographers, construction managers, and architects to verify the accuracy of data. They often need to travel to locations to measure distances and directions between points. Surveyors rely on weather forecasts to make sure that thunderstorms and severe weather conditions do not interfere with their work.

Thunderstorms can be dangerous for surveyors and their equipment. The instrumentation may contain CMOS (complementary-symmetry metal–oxide–semiconductor) circuitry that can be destroyed by nearby lightning.

Surveyors can station electrode cables across an area of land, and this can be elevated to record data. If winds are too high, it can cause electrodes to sway or be disturbed, which can alter the data being recorded. Land surveyors might stop the entire project during severe weather conditions to prevent errors from showing up in their data.

In some instances, light precipitation won’t be problematic for surveyors. Quality surveying equipment can be weatherproofed against light rain, cold, and extremely warm conditions. The equipment will have its limits, but certain brands claim that their equipment can function in cold weather situations down to about 14°F.

When it’s extremely hot and dry outside, surveying can still proceed as normal, but it is always important to look at the operational temperature of your equipment before going ahead.

However, dry weather conditions may increase contact resistance when surveyors record data with metal stakes. Making an aluminum foil pit will prevent water from evaporating too quickly so that the necessary measurements can be made.

Warm days that are not too dry or windy are perfect for surveying. Surveyors are much more likely to record accurate data and shouldn’t expect any delays due to weather conditions. Learn more about Florida Surveying on this site.