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