Weather Stations
Weather stations today are so affordable and are so packed with advanced electronics that every home should have one. The highly accurate weather sensors which are typical of quality weather stations provide a wealth of information which is much more meaningful and interesting than the generalized information which you see on TV and elsewhere. You can now measure and record just about any aspect of the weather in the locations you choose, and develop a deep knowledge of the weather in that location for each season. You can build a history of weather data which you can display in charts and tables on your computer, and you can even publish your data to the web by uploading it to one of many ready-made websites which come free with your weather station.
Home Weather Station
A home weather station consists of two principal parts. A sensor unit, which is located outside and which houses all the weather sensors of the home weather station, measures and records weather data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and rainfall. A console unit, which is located inside the home, displays the weather data in useful ways and stores a permanent record of that data.
The sensor unit can be connected either by cable to the console unit, or by wireless communication which is the norm today. Wireless weather stations have the convenience of enabling sensors and consoles to be located just about anywhere, and of facilitating multiple sensor units which can send data to the console unit of your home weather station, or directly to your computer, or to both.
Weather Station Manufacturers
There is a range of weather station manufacturers which produce high quality weather stations ideally suited for home or business. The following is a listing (in alphabetical order) of companies which we regard as the highest quality consumer weather station manufacturers in the market today:
Davis Instruments®
La Crosse Technology®
Oregon Scientific®
RainWise®
WeatherHawk®
Each manufacturer produces a range of weather stations which varies according to its purpose and price. The most suitable weather station for you will depend on factors which are specific to you, such as the weather station's intended location, the required sensors, the use of the data and your budget.