We’ve all had it happen to us. We plan our day and even our wardrobe around what the weatherman predicts and then the weather is much different. Wouldn’t it be great if you could predict the weather yourself? Well now you can with your personal weather station. The purpose of this guide is to review the different weather stations available and help you decide which one is right for you.

How Weather Stations Work

A weather station is a device with instruments and equipment to make weather observations by monitoring atmospheric conditions to study the weather. Most weather stations come with the following instruments: thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, anemometer, wind vane and rain gauge. Outdoor enthusiasts, weather hobbyists and volunteer observers for the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and numerous local TV and radio stations depend on weather stations to help them monitor, study and analyze weather conditions.

There are two main components with a weather station – the central unit and the sensor. Weather stations depend on either radio or cable for data transfer between the central unit and sensor.  Here are a few basics about weather stations.

The Sensors: Weather Stations consist of an anemometer (measures wind speed and wind direction), a self-emptying rain gauge, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure sensors. Most weather stations also measure indoor temperature and humidity. Some weather stations include solar radiation, UV, water proof probes, additional temperature and humidity sensors, leaf wetness, soil moisture and lightning detectors.

Calculated Parameters: The sensors can calculate dew point, wind chill, heat index, evapotransporation, density altitude and other parameters.

The Display Console: The display console or data logger communicates to the sensors through cables (wires) or cable-free (wireless) transmission. The console records the record highs and lows, provides programmable alarms, and connects to a personal computer for advanced data collection and graphical analysis.

Choosing your Weather Station

There are many manufacturers of weather stations and they also range from personal ones for about $200 to high-tech professional weather stations for thousands of dollars.  Some of the more well-known brands include Oregon Scientific, Davis, Conrad, ELV, Lacrosse, Rainwise and a few other brands. The Oregon Scientific brand is the most well-known and respected by users.

One favorite new feature is wireless weather stations. The transmission range for wireless weather stations varies greatly depending not only on the surrounding physical features of the land and structures but also on any interference in the area. Some weather stations can go up to 400 feet and a few companies offer wireless repeaters for those of you that want to extend the range even further.

Because there are so many different weather stations to choose some, here are some recommended key features to consider before you buy:

-  Performance: The best weather stations perform the best at accuracy, resolution, and range. There are many comparison charts available on the internet.

-   Setup: With most weather stations, you need to install each sensor separately, which adds complication and takes time and effort. Look for a weather station that is easy to setup, especially if you are a beginner.

-   Integration: If you plan to use your weather station to post weather conditions to the Web, make sure you purchase a weather station with an interface which can be used to transfer the data to a PC 

Popular accessories for weather stations include multiple consoles, water proof probes and rain gauge heaters. Another popular accessory is software usually called data loggers. By connecting your weather station to your computer and the internet you can create web pages, send e-mail alerts, post data to free weather servers, create time and temperature call centers, and integrate weather cam images.

The Bottom Line

 Whether you are looking for a weather station for work or play, there are many weather stations to choose from.  Hopefully the tips mentioned above will help you decide which one is best for you and your needs.