Certain weather conditions could delay or postpone your survey. See below on how the weather will affect your project and equipment.
Tip: Bring a canister of pressurized air with you on all surveys to blow moisture/dirt out of connectors. We've also written an article on how to clean connectors.
Hot/Moderate Weather:
Most AGI Systems are designed to function even when temperatures reach 40ºC - 45ºC (104ºF - 113ºF).
In dry summer conditions, the contact resistance increases. You should add saltwater, bentonite, or foil pits to the ground beneath your electrodes.
Blazing Sun/Arid Weather:
The SuperSting™ and MiniSting™ LCD screen may darken in intense direct sunlight (though the special high-quality LCD screen will not darken easily). Should this happen, you can easily adjust the screen's contrast by using the contrast key on the keyboard.
In dry summer conditions, the contact resistance increases. You should add saltwater, bentonite, or foil pits to the ground beneath your electrodes.
Rain:
The instrument and the electrodes are weatherproof, meaning that they can be out in light rain when closed. Conducting surveys in rain is not advised. Do not submerge any connectors or meters. Never submerge cables that are not designed for marine use. Consult with your AGI representative first if you plan on submerging cables.
More details on rain and thunderstorms is HERE
High Humidity:
Take the same precautions in high humidity as you would in light rain. Keep connectors pins, etc., dry. If you suspect that moisture has built up in a connector, use canned air to blow dry.
Cold Weather:
The SuperSting™ will work well below 0ºC. However around 0ºC, the LCD screen transitions will become slower. Changes of display will happen slower and slower the colder it is. Around -10ºC the LCD will stop working. Therefor if you are planning to work in colder weather you will need to somehow warm the SuperSting™. Our electrode cables will work well down to at least -20ºC.
Snow and Ice:
Snow and ice is highly resistive. Soils beneath snow and ice may not be frozen yet in some cases. Frozen soil will significantly increase the contact resistance and just a few cm/in of frozen soil will make electrode stake installation slower. Longer electrodes, drilling pilot holes and large amounts of salt water may be needed. The resistivity method has been used to map permafrost with careful work. The same warnings given for RAIN should be followed because snow and ice often melt during transport and usage of the equipment. Good contact resistance values and how to lower it can be found HERE
High Wind:
Really high winds could have the potential to delay your survey. For example, high winds could sway or knock down any cables that aren't secure. Even if you’re using metal stakes in the ground—if the wind is strong enough to create movement in your survey line—you’re going to see errors in your data.
Thunderstorms:
Thunderstorms are dangerous for you and the equipment. The instrumentation contains sensitive CMOS circuitry and can be destroyed by nearby lightning. For your safety, it is not a good idea to stand at the end of a long conductive cable during a thunderstorm.
Thunderstorms typically move very quickly. So when you first hear thunder in the distance, start picking up your equipment if you've already deployed.
Other Severe Weather:
Weather such as tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, tropical storms, etc., will halt your project completely until the inclement weather has passed. Do not use AGI equipment during any severe weather.