Built to measure the barometric pressure of the atmosphere, the amount of precipitation, the humidity level as well as temperature and wind speed, the Hanford Meteorological Station (HMS) was built to monitor for possible effects of plutonium production on the environment and weather. The station was also used to ensure that the reactor was only running at optimal weather conditions. The station was made of up of many towers situated in and around the Hanford Area. Some were located near the Columbia River while others were inland. Today the station is still used by Washington State meteorological agencies and is run by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

References

Map of Meteorological Towers at Hanford

HMS: Hanford Meteorological System Information

Gerber, Michele Stenehjem. On the home front the Cold War legacy of the Hanford nuclear site. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1992. Print.