Sensor-free Weather Stations

Posted under environment by Richard Mann

A sensor-free or virtual home weather station is becoming an attractive option for those with the weather bug. The two main options are a PC-based program or a standalone weather station receiving signals from a service.

Weather instruments set up around the home do create the satisfaction of tracking your own backyard micro-climate. Though some never make it out of the box due to the set up and prep work needed to get accurate readings. Something as simple as a hungry squirrel chewing through wires can also put a quick end to your weather project.

Companies like Weather Underground and WeatherBug have large networks of local weather stations that can be accessed via the Internet. Web pages and downloadable applications make your PC simulate a live weather station. Through advances in website design, dials move to current readings right before your eyes. The ability to view past data helps the user recognize patterns and make weather forecasts.

Standalone weather stations can get readings from an outside service. MSN Direct is used by several Oregon Scientific units to update local weather conditions every two minutes. In addition to National Weather Service warnings, readings include humidity, wind, temperature, rain and chance of precipitation.

The location of sensors plays a key role in choosing a home weather station. A weather service may have a station right in your neighborhood, which would make the virtual readings almost indistinguishable from those on your own instruments. On the other had, if a service has weather instruments that are 50 miles from your location, the result may be a very different picture of current conditions. Usually it is possible to find the location of available stations for a weather service.

For some a combination of a virtual solution with a home instrument may provide the most satisfaction. The most immediate weather needs can be provided by an instrument that includes both barometer and temperature readings. More detailed readings and historical data are then found via a virtual solution. This approach still involves minimal set up time. Before purchasing an instrument, it is recommended to visit a website that ranks products to find the best product in a given category.

A very different and opposite approach for some may be hosting a public weather station. Instrument readings are broadcast over the Internet and picked up by the public through the given weather network. Local residents will use the readings as part of their virtual stations, and others in distance locations may access the information for travel or relocation. Joining a weather network includes the expense of quality instruments, which are often specified by the organization.

A sensor-free home weather station can provide the enjoyment of tracking weather conditions without the hassle of setting up and maintaining weather instruments. While not for everyone, it has become a rewarding option for those with a love of weather.

Bill Stewart is a lifelong storm tracker and offers leading weather products at http://www.WeatherStationeStore.com. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory