Vaisala Forward Scatter Sensor FD70

The FD70 is a factory-calibrated, plug-and-play sensor that can potentially replace many separate sensors such as your visibility and present weather sensor, rain gauge, disdrometer, and freezing rain sensor. It can function as a standalone unit, as an integral part of Vaisala systems, or with most third-party systems.

The FD70 features rugged, modular design with no movable or consumable parts, which makes for quick repairs. Remote performance monitoring decreases trips into the field, while advanced self-diagnostics further decrease maintenance requirements.

Additionally, FD70 sensors feature look-down geometry and hood heating that protect against external contaminants and window contaminant compensation for consistent data quality in all conditions, along with professional software security to ensure data integrity.

Vaisala’s pioneering sensor design provides constant, reference-grade performance unlike any other forward scatter technology — even for incidents of freezing rain, ice pellets, intense precipitation, or mixed precipitation.

State-of-the-art, forward scatter technology detects and analyzes current precipitation to identify type, intensity, accumulation, particle size and fall speed distributions with a visibility sensor range up to 100 km (62 mi) Meteorological Optical Range (MOR).

The high sensitivity of the FD70 sensor means it’s able to detect precipitation onset right from the first droplets, and it reacts quickly to meteorological visibility changes from 1m to 100km (3ft to 62mi).

From the first signs of precipitation, the sensitivity of FD70 sensors quickly and reliably classify current precipitation type even for incidents of freezing rain, ice pellets, intense precipitation, and mixed precipitation. They also respond quickly with accurate, real-time data as conditions change.