| In this age of digital technology, with instant access | | | | band) to transmit measurements from the weather |
| to up-to-the-minute data, forecasts, and images from | | | | sensors to the indoor console, eliminating the need to |
| the National Weather Service (NWS) and innumerable | | | | string cable and drill holes. The maximum |
| other online sources; with timely reports from local | | | | "unobstructed" (or "line of sight") range between the |
| broadcasters and cable television networks; with | | | | sensors and indoor console can vary between |
| personalized forecasts and storm alerts sent directly | | | | models, from 80 to 1000 feet. However, their |
| to your email, pager, or cell phone; why would | | | | "effective" range is determined by the building |
| anyone need a home weather station?The answer to | | | | materials their signals must penetrate (walls, siding, |
| that question lies right there in your backyard, where | | | | roof structure, etc.) and by sources of radio |
| the weather conditions you experience at home are | | | | interference. As a rule-of-thumb for a typical |
| often not the same as any of those resources might | | | | installation, the effective range is about a third of the |
| suggest. We know that all too well living here in | | | | rated unobstructed range.Weather station sensors |
| southwest Virginia, as weather conditions up on the | | | | need to be placed or "sited" properly to provide |
| mountain ridges can be completely different from | | | | accurate measurements. Once installed, sensors |
| those down in the valleys. Fortunately, keeping an | | | | transmit their data to the indoor console, which |
| eye on local weather conditions using your own | | | | updates the display and records the readings at an |
| state-of-the-art weather station has never been | | | | interval set by the manufacturer. This interval may |
| easier or more affordable. Whether simple or | | | | vary depending on the type of measurement |
| elaborate, home weather stations will provide you | | | | (temperature, wind speed, rainfall, etc.) or may be |
| with information that cannot be obtained anywhere | | | | fixed at one interval rate regardless of the type |
| else. And having the ability to glance over at your | | | | (every minute, every three minutes, etc.).Some |
| weather station console from the comfort of your | | | | home weather stations are capable of interfacing |
| couch or armchair is not only convenient, but | | | | with a computer, either included as part of the |
| fascinating as well.Depending on desired features and | | | | package or available as an optional accessory. A |
| accessories, electronic weather station prices can | | | | computer-linked weather station offers not only |
| range from as little as $30 to as much as $3,000 or | | | | real-time display of weather measurements on your |
| more. Available in either wireless or cabled versions, | | | | computer monitor, but also provides for advanced |
| these highly accurate weather instruments monitor a | | | | data collection and graphical weather analysis. And |
| variety of weather conditions: temperature and | | | | with a dedicated internet connection, you can even |
| humidity (both indoors and out), atmospheric | | | | post weather data to your own weather web page |
| pressure, precipitation, wind direction and speed, dew | | | | or become a part of the process by sharing your |
| point, wind chill, and heat index - all displayed within | | | | readings with the Citizen Weather Observer Program |
| the comfort of your home! More advanced weather | | | | (CWOP), which forwards the information in a format |
| stations offer enhanced features such as faster | | | | that the National Weather Service can use. Even if |
| sampling rates, extensive data graphing and history, | | | | your weather station isn't connected to a computer, |
| and additional sensors ranging from ultraviolet, solar | | | | you can still participate as a volunteer Skywarn |
| radiation, and evapotranspiration to soil temperature | | | | "spotter," providing your local NWS weather forecast |
| moisture and leaf wetness. All electronic weather | | | | office with important weather measurements and |
| stations include a clock and many of them are radio | | | | severe weather reports.Interest in weather is nearly |
| controlled, resetting themselves daily to the official | | | | universal and the information that home weather |
| U.S. government atomic clock located at Fort Collins, | | | | stations provide, combined with additional relevant |
| Colorado.Cabled weather stations use a cable to | | | | study, can offer you an opportunity for a rewarding |
| connect their weather sensors to the indoor console. | | | | lifelong hobby. Most have discovered that their home |
| Drawbacks include the risk of lightning (must use | | | | weather station has given them a better |
| lightning arrestors) and having to drill a hole in the wall | | | | understanding of weather, which has heightened their |
| to link the two, but cabled units are generally less | | | | interest in other aspects of the natural world. After |
| expensive than wireless units. Wireless weather | | | | all, weather observation is not just confined to where |
| stations use radio signals (typically in the 433 MHz | | | | you live. |