Weather Stations - A Buyers Guide The minimum of information a weather station should provide is ind
Weather Stations - A Buyers Guide The minimum of information a weather station should provide is indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity, and barometric pressure. It is rare to find a station which provides basic wind and rainfall measurements for the mid-price range. Other specialised measurements, such as UV index, soil moisture, and water temperature, should be part of a high-end model’s portfolio of features. You can’t necessarily guarantee you’ll get a great weather station by spending more money, but we have not found a product that delivers genuine value for the money. Inaccurate budget stations are available in most hardware and big-box stores, along with nearly all individual manufacturers. While the temperature typically only varies within a degree or two, humidity readings are wildly inaccurate, and they can be off by 10 to 15 percent. Stations found in the mid-range and high-end of the market tend to be better and rarely more than five percent off. Weather measurements are incredibly useful, especially if you’re affected by the kind of weather that the wind and rain create. When you can afford it, high-end stations are nice to have, as they are typically the most accurate. If you do not need specialty measurements, such as UV or soil moisture, however, it is not necessary to invest in high-end stations. Additionally, you should be looking for weather stations with these extra features: Accuracy: While accuracy is arguably the most important of the four critical elements, it is also the most difficult to judge. Looking at the specifications sheets and choosing stations with low margins of error is something we’d encourage here. Additionally, perform additional research by reviewing user comments. Solar or battery? Modern weather stations nearly all use wireless communications, which allows them to operate using either battery power or solar power. Stations with an exclusive reliance on solar power should be avoided, as dismal weather on a few days can prevent the instruments from having enough stored energy to do their jobs. Regardless of the source of power, battery-operated or solar-assisted models are the most effective—you may need to change the batteries every year. Weather station Internet connectivity: Connectivity allows you to access the Internet and allows you to share your data, such as weather data, with the rest of the world through services such as Weather Underground. If you’re in a place where there aren’t any weather stations, meteorologists might be able to use your data. Support for Smart Homes: Weather stations in your home can provide better home automation. Consider purchasing a weather station that’s compatible with your connected-home system if you already own one. You can now automate functions such as heating and cooling through IFTTT, so you can have your heater or air conditioning automatically turn on if the temperature falls below or rises above a certain threshold. This means that Alexa and Google Assistant are also compatible with other assistants, allowing you to get highly localised weather reports. Future Proof: Your weather station might be adequate for your current needs, but your priorities could change in the future. Instead of purchasing high-end equipment at the outset, save money and buy midrange equipment that can be upgraded in the future with additional sensors. Longevity: No matter how much the elements try to pummelled you, your sensors are always in there, and it’s always 24/7. Most inexpensive stations are made from cheap, flimsy plastic that will break down quickly.Make sure to look for a well-built location, and avoid all-in-one sensor-containing units. Sensor failures are very expensive because they represent the bulk of the overall system cost, and when a sensor fails, you have to replace the entire system regardless of whether the other sensors are still functioning. Please be aware of sensor placement. If you’re a weather enthusiast, this is where my forecasting side shows up. Please, please, please, please make sure that you place your instruments where you will not step on them! As recommended by the National Weather Service, place the temperature and humidity gauge within 5 feet of the ground in an area protected from direct rain or snowfall. It should be avoided in locations where there is concrete, tarmac, or other potential heat radiators nearby. “Warm air escaping from your house” throws off the reading in your bedroom window, too. The level you set your rain gauge at is not as important. In this case, the most important factor is that the instrument is positioned so that splashing from the ground produces abnormally high readings, or the instrument is located near high obstructions that might block rainfall when it is windy. Because the NWS recommends, it is generally best to locate the rain gauge as far away from objects as possible. Wind gauges are difficult to locate because they are called anemometers. Even though most people find out that the TV weather reading for wind speed is taken at a height of 33 feet, most people are surprised to learn this. It would be difficult for the majority of us, but work to get the faucet a minimum of 10 feet off the ground if you can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR7BnDCHQqA Honest Bob is committed to providing genuine guides from a panel of experts. As an Amazon affiliate Honest Bob earns commission from any qualifying purchases.Thank you for your support! -- source link