Let’s face it, we’ve all been in situations where we simply can’t understand how the weather folks can’t predict weather accurately. Turn on the TV, and the nice lady says it will rain cats and dogs all day, so you bring your umbrella with you, but end up feeling let down as there never was a single drop of rain.
These situations will occur, as many weather reports get the readouts are simply too far away from your location, and you simply can’t rely on those. How many times have you turned on your smartphone app to check the weather outside before going to work, only to get completely confused? Outside it’s raining, while the app says it’s going to be a bright and shiny day with no clouds at all.
Why Should You Go For It?
Weather stations are complex systems that rely on sophisticated instruments to provide us with the correct weather report. What if we told you that the aforementioned frustration can end by simply using your own personal weather station?
You wouldn’t be the first to join the personal weather system craze, as there are a large number of people who’ve realized their professions and lifestyles simply call for more accurate data.
For instance, if you’re a gardener or a golfer, you need extremely precise and accurate weather data readouts to make your life better. Some people are simply weather buffs and they like messing around with cool gadgets.
We surely have your attention by now, but the first question that probably pops into your mind concerns the required budget for such endeavors.
The Costs
Without further ado, let’s break it down. As is always the case with any sort of equipment and machinery, the more you invest, the better it will get. The cheapest personal weather station systems can be purchased for as little as $150, but you really can’t expect those to get you miraculous results.
On the other hand, top-of-the-line systems can set you back for as much as $2,500, but you should also take into consideration that those require a lot of skill to install, let alone use on a regular basis and get accurate readouts.
We strongly suggest you opt for a system that will provide you with the best balance of durability and the possibility of failures reduced to a minimum. That sort of setup shouldn’t be more than $500.
The Maintenance
Needless to say, a personal weather station is a fragile and highly sophisticated system, which includes numerous components that require proper maintenance. Some of them will require proper servicing done by trained professionals, and some of them will have to be sent to their respective manufacturers for proper recalibration.
What To Look For
Materials and sturdy construction is the key here, as your weather station will be exposed to extreme weather conditions. You simply need a unit that will stand the test of time. You may want to look for systems that will be capable of measuring rainfall, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, barometric pressure, and, of course, temperature.
If you really want to get wild about it, opt for systems that feature sensors for detection of lightning, soil moisture, soil temperature, and ultraviolet ray intensity. Just make sure you don’t get lost in all the optional gadgetry, especially if you’ve just recently gotten into personal weather stations.
Solar Power vs. Batteries
Another important aspect of personal weather readouts is the way your system is powered. You can opt for solar-powered ones if you don’t want to think of replacement batteries, but battery powered systems are commonly more reliable in terms of accurate readouts.
Also, while we’re at it, you need to decide whether you want to rely on wireless systems because lack of wiring means no potential problems running everywhere across your yard.
You can also opt for a console, so all your acquired data can easily be uploaded to a home computer or any other location on the internet.
This is where all the magic of sharing the data begins.
Personal Weather Station Network Explained
Now that we’ve started the ball rolling, let’s get your mind blown even further by telling you that you could even join a network of personal weather stations. What does that even mean?
First of all, we need to explain what a personal weather station network actually is. It’s a place where all amateur weather enthusiasts can upload different data, so all remote viewers can observe it.
Becoming part of a weather network will give you access to data that can show you changing trends in readings. If, for instance, the barometer readings begin to drop in outlying areas from where you live, you could begin to see the approach of a weather front which could bring rain or other inclement weather conditions. This could be enough of a warning for you to consider rescheduling your outing for the day to a later time.
If you wish, you could make your data readouts public, but you can also choose who will be able to see your personal data, obtained from your weather station system.
Why Use a Personal Weather Station Network?
You’ve gotten here because you want accurate data, right? Uploading your acquired data to a weather station network means you can compare it to the data uploaded by the other enthusiasts. If you realize one of your neighbors is also up for it, and he provides even better data than you, maybe you can learn some new tips and tricks from him.
Also, if you’re into tracking climate changes and historical data, you can show all your friends how your passion can improve their overall quality of life, as your personal weather station provides better data than what they get to see on TV or in their smartphone apps.
Being your neighborhood’s weather guru is really something to be proud of, right?
The Weather Underground might be the most popular private weather network, but there are also several of them maintained by some of the major home weather station manufacturers, as well.
Conclusion
Once you’ve delved deep into the wondrous world of private weather stations, there’s no coming back. There are numerous benefits to it, and once you dig even deeper into personal weather station network, you’ll thank us later for putting you on the right track with this article.
