Wireless Weather Stations - All The Weather Info You Need

Most of us depend on the weather from the media. An option, particularly for those who live in secluded places, are wireless weather stations.

This technology has progressed in recent years, and you can now buy very accurate equipment in your local store for less than $50, and you no longer need to worry about all the wiring. Not surprisingly, many varieties of design have been developed, and the more intricate and sturdy models can cost several hundred dollars.

Wireless weather stations can measure wind speed and record wind direction with an anemometer, rainfall accumulation with a rain gauge, track temperature and humidity, and display barometric pressure. Some more advanced models have sensors for the ultraviolet index of the Sun’s radiation and lightening detectors. The ones that are installed with sensors into the ground can also take readings of soil moisture and temperature.

Wireless weather stations communicate without cables; transmitting the data it captures using all of its sensors to a display screen and, in the more advanced models, to a nearby computer. All this information can then be logged, analyzed, and shared.

The display console ranges from a plain black and white LED screen, to a high resolution color screen.

For home or outdoor travel use, a handheld device is probably sufficient for weather forecasting needs. A portable wireless weather station can be as small as a large cell phone or a walkie-talkie, and these can be very practical for someone doing field research or for outdoorsmen. For research and analysis, it makes sense to install a more permanent station. These stations may have a permanent power source or be battery driven. Many of the more advanced models which are designed to be installed outside are powered with solar cells. Most weather stations can also record indoor conditions.

For long term tracking, the log generated by the wireless weather station maintains a record of the conditions through time. Such a log can then provide key information to develop pattern studies. Statistical data is invaluable to detect changes over time.

When comparing different wireless weather stations, consider details such as the equipment casing, the sensitivity, accuracy and reliability of the sensors, the ease of installation, the manufacturer’s support, and the cost. For some, the aesthetics of the weather station matters; some can be very noticeable eyesores, and often they are camouflaged.

Every weather station must be maintained, so that it continues to function accurately. In the case of the wireless models, no maintenance is necessary of any cabling, but the transmission antenna must be installed and anchored properly. The location of the larger weather station should be reachable in a safe manner.

Most weather stations use their ability to communicate wirelessly to send out warnings and alarms regarding extreme weather conditions. A wireless weather station attached to a computer, with the appropriate software, can automatically generate updated weather scans, can post data to the internet, and can send out e-mail alerts, among other features. Weather live cameras are also often combined with weather station data gathering.