Totem Field

Welcome to the Totem Field field trip resource section!

The radiation A-frame (left) and UBC weather station (right) at Totem Field. This photo was taken facing North-west.

Do you know about the weather instruments on Totem Field? They are located near West Mall and Stadium Road on the south end of UBC campus. Students in courses such as GEOB 300 will take several field trips to this location, but others in GEOB 200, 401 and 402, or APBI 244 will find this information helpful.

There are two main sections in this module: the Radiation Instruments, and the UBC Climatology Station. If you are looking for information on the UBC Lidar, click here!

We encourage you to use these modules as a supplement to your field notes, or as a review before a test.

UBC Climatology Station

The UBC climatology station has been continuously measuring most atmospheric variables since 1957. It has achieved the standards necessary to be considered an Ordinary Climatology Station by Environment Canada. Historically, manual readings were taken every morning; but since 1990, data is electronically logged every 10 seconds. The station was installed to monitor local weather, growth conditions, and climate change and statistics. Information collected is used by researchers, students, and various UBC operations.
Click the image to explore!

Radiation Instrumentation

Installed on a radiation A-frame, radiation instrumentation is used to quantify part of the energy balance of a (near) flat surface. The instruments measure flux densities of energy either going into or out of the surface system. The combined results of the instruments will result in the Net all-wave radiation flux density (Q*). What are the instruments necessary for this?
Click the image to explore!