A method of and system for determination of measured parameter gradients for environmental system control is presented. A system includes a sensor assembly with a first face opposite to and spaced apart from a second face and first and second sensors. The first sensor is adjacent to the first face and senses a first value of an environmental variable nearby. The second sensor is adjacent to the second face and senses a second value of the environmental variable nearby. The system includes a processor and a memory with instructions that cause the processor to: receive the first and second values and estimate a third value of the environmental variable at a distance spaced apart from the second face based on the first and second values. The system includes a sensor communication system for transmitting information including at least one of the first, second, and third value of the environmental variable.