The Stevenson Screen or thermometer screen is a standard shelter (from rain, snow and

high winds, but also leaves and animals) for meteorological instruments, particularly wet
and dry bulbthermometers used to record humidity and air temperature. 
It is kept 1.25m/4.1ft (UK standard) above the ground by legs to avoid strong temperature
gradients at ground level, has louvred sides to encourage the free passage of air, and is
painted white to reflect heat radiation, since what is measured is the temperature of the air
in the shade, not of the sunshine.
A Stevenson screen or instrument shelter is an enclosure to shield meteorological instruments
against precipitation and direct heat radiation from outside sources, while still allowing air to circulate freely around
them. It forms part of a standardweather station. The Stevenson screen holds instruments that may
include thermometers (ordinary, maximum/minimum), ahygrometer, a psychrometer, a dewcell, a barometer and a
thermograph.

Its purpose is to provide a standardised environment in which to measure temperature, humidity,

dewpoint and atmospheric pressure.