Most of us are aware that a weather station is more than just a single instrument. It is made up of a number of tiny instruments that work together to produce a bigger entity.
A weather station is a collection of sensors and other devices that work together to provide accurate weather information. These tiny gadgets aid in the collection of data from both the inner and outside worlds.
These weather station sensors monitor the surroundings and send the information to a display device. This device allows us to check the weather from the comfort of our own homes.
Most individuals, however, find it difficult to comprehend how this process works. The following article will help you understand what these different kinds of weather station sensors do.
Types Of Weather Station Sensors:
1) Thermometers And Hygrometers
A thermometer measures temperature by using an expansion or contraction property of certain materials. They can be used for measuring air pressure and weather, humidity, wind speed, etc. In addition to being useful for monitoring indoor temperatures, they also serve as outdoor indicators.
For example, if there’s no breeze blowing through your house, then chances are high that the thermostat has been set too low. On the contrary, when the wind blows strongly, then the thermostat should be turned down.
2) Barometric Pressure Gauges
Barometric gauges are designed to measure atmospheric pressure. Their main purpose is to detect changes in barometric pressure caused by variations in altitude.
When we talk about altimeters, we mean those which have a needle attached to them. Altimeters usually come equipped with a digital readout so that users can easily see the current reading.
3) Wind Speed Measuring Devices
Wind speed meters are similar to altimeters, but they differ in one important aspect – they measure not only the change in altitude but also the direction of movement.
Thus, they allow people to know whether winds blow towards or away from them. Some models even include a compass feature so that users can tell where the wind comes from.
4) Rainfall Detecting Instruments
Rainfall detectors are basically rain-gauge-like instruments. They consist of two parts; a container and a sensor. The container collects rainfall while the sensor detects drops falling on it. Once the detector senses a drop, it sends out a signal to indicate that precipitation has occurred.
5) Humidity Level Indicators
Hygroscopes measure relative humidity levels inside a room. Unlike thermometers, hygrometers don’t need any direct contact with the atmosphere. Instead, they use water vapor content in the air to determine its level of saturation. As such, they require less maintenance compared to their counterparts. However, they aren’t very precise because they only give approximate readings.
Humidity monitors are quite simple yet effective tools. All they do is keep track of the amount of moisture present in the surrounding environment. If the humidity level rises above a particular point, then the user gets notified via a light bulb or buzzer.
6) Temperature Stations
Temperature stations are essentially thermometers placed outdoors. They collect data regarding the ambient temperature at various locations around the world. Users can access this data online or download it into spreadsheets.
How many types of weather stations are there?
There are three basic categories of weather stations: analog, hybrid, and digital. Analog weather stations are still widely popular among homeowners who want to monitor local conditions without having to pay monthly fees. Hybrid weather stations combine both analog and digital features. Digital weather stations offer more advanced functionality than traditional devices.
Weather stations come in a number of different forms:
1. Home Weather Station – known as Personal Weather Station
2. Professional Weather Station
3. Specialty Weather Station
4. Educational Weather Station
5. Hi-end Professional Weather Station – What professional meteorologists use for forecasting.
1. Home Weather Station
Home weather stations are small units that you place indoors. These devices provide accurate information about the outside climate. You can install these anywhere within your home, including bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, garages, basements, etc. Most of these gadgets cost between $50-$100, depending on how much functionality they possess.
For example, some models will display live images of clouds, snowflakes, lightning strikes, and other phenomena. Others will alert you when severe storms approach. Still, others will help you predict seasonal trends like spring showers or summer thunderstorms.
The most common type of home weather station is called an “analog” device. It consists of a single dial that displays either Fahrenheit or Celsius temperatures. This model doesn’t contain any additional features besides displaying the current outdoor temperature.
Analog weather stations are inexpensive and easy to set up. But if you plan to purchase one, make sure that it’s compatible with your existing thermostat system. Otherwise, you may end up spending hours trying to figure out why the unit isn’t working properly.
2. Professional Weather Stations
Professional weather stations are large units that are professionally used during forecasts. They’re often used by TV networks, radio stations, newspapers, government agencies, insurance companies, and utility providers.
A few examples of these products include Accuweather Pro, Dark Sky, Forecast.io, NWS Storm Prediction Center, NOAA National Hurricane Center. These devices usually have multiple screens that allow users to view detailed maps, radar imagery, satellite photos, and even historical records. Some also feature built-in radios so that users can listen to real-time reports from forecasters.
3. Specialty Weather Stations
A specialty weather station is designed specifically for a certain purpose, such as measuring air quality, tracking pollen levels, detecting carbon monoxide leaks, monitoring water pressure, and recording rainfall totals. The best part about using these specialized devices is that they don’t require constant maintenance, unlike regular weather stations.
4. Educational Weather Stations
Educational weather stations are perfect for schools, colleges, universities, museums, libraries, science centers, and planetariums. Many educational institutions already own several of these devices, which allows them to share their knowledge with students and visitors alike.
5. Hi-End Professional Weather Stations
High-end professional weather stations are similar to those used by television meteorologists. However, they tend to be larger and more expensive due to all the extra bells and whistles included. Examples of hi-end weather stations include Accuweather HD+, DarkSky 2, Forecast.io 3D, NWS Storm Prediction Centre 4K, and NOAA National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
What is the importance of a weather station?
Weather stations play a vital role in our lives because we need to know what kind of conditions prevail outdoors before making important decisions. How does air pressure affect weather? We have various questions in our minds. If you want to avoid getting caught off guard by sudden changes in the weather, then you should invest in a reliable weather station. Here are just a few reasons why:
1. To Know What Kind Of Conditions Are Expected In Your Area
If you live near mountains, lakes, oceans, rivers, forests, deserts, plains, prairies, swamps, tundra, glaciers, volcanoes, or arctic regions, then the chances are good that you’ll experience different kinds of weather throughout the year. Knowing this beforehand helps you prepare accordingly.
For instance, if you live close to a lake, then you might want to stock up on fishing supplies while planning trips to nearby parks where you can enjoy nature hikes. On the flip side, if you live next to a desert region, then you’ll probably want to pack plenty of sunscreen and bug repellent whenever you go hiking.
2. To Make Better Decisions About When And Where To Go Outside
When deciding whether or not to venture outside, many people rely solely on the forecast provided by local media outlets. Unfortunately, these predictions aren’t always correct. So, if you’d rather take matters into your own hands, then you should consider installing a weather station at home.
Recommended Read: Solar Powered Weather Stations
Conclusion
As you can see, weather station sensors come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each of these sensors works in tandem to assist you in tracking the weather. Given that they are designed with high-quality weather station sensors, most weather stations are highly successful in monitoring the weather.
If you’re in the market for a weather station, look for one that has all of the sensors indicated above. This will provide you with very accurate real-time weather data.
Why Trust Us?
Weather enthusiasts enjoy being ahead of nature while predicting the climatic conditions around them for future outdoor planning. The Weather Station aims at fulfilling the aspirations of these enthusiasts by providing the best-in-class reviews on a plethora of weather gadgets from leading brands.
Our reviews, buying guides, blogs, and ‘how to articles’ not only helps you to enjoy pleasant weather but also prepare you for the extreme climate conditions.
Our team of experts is truly passionate about exploring the unpredictable weather and thus, love to test, and review the advanced technology and gadgets related to it. We believe that these comprehensive and unbiased reviews and buying guides on our platform will leave you well-informed and shall assist you in making correct decisions.
