A home weather station is a convenient device used to predict the weather. It is an important weather gadget for home, as it will allow you to stay alert before any climatic hazards happen.
Backyard weather stations are mostly useful for home gardening. These can gauge the precise atmosphere around the house and help you decide on what type of plants you can grow in that season.
With the best backyard weather station, you can track the weather-related data several times a day and collect the data at regular set intervals.
How Do Weather Stations Work?
Weather stations use sensors to predict the weather conditions right outside the door. These sensors fetch the details of the weather to understand the whims of Mother Nature. Recoding the readings several times a day helps to understand a storm unfolding. The sensors are well equipped with the knowledge to deliver the data on an easy-to-read LCD.
Most crucial are the temperature and humidity readings right outside the door. A rain indicator measures the precipitation of rain in a given amount of time per unit area. An anemometer assesses the wind speed and direction. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure.
Prerequisites to Set Up a Weather Station
1. Remove all parts from the packing and observe them.
2. Look for instructions from the manufacturer and read them thoroughly.
3. Survey the area and find an appropriate place for installation in the backyard.
4. Start assembling the console, follow the setup of wind cups connecting to the anemometer.
5. Place the lithium batteries for wireless weather stations setup.
6. Connect the sensors and all other parts to complete the assembly.
7. Power up the console and check its functionality.
8. Finally, assess the setup to check if done correctly and nothing is left out.
9. Observe the data collected for a day and check if it is correct.
How to Install a Personal Backyard Weather Station
The location of the weather station is the most crucial part of the installation process. The location determines the range to record the most accurate readings. Installing the weather station at an appropriate place plays a vital role in recording accurate data. Always choose a clear and unobstructed space for setup.
It’s easy and convenient to place the all-in-one device on the roof of the building. In doing so, the materials can be protected from extreme weather conditions, like unnecessary splashes during heavy rainfall and radiant heat.
The height of the weather station should be refered to in the manual. Somewhere between four to seven feet above the ground level is recommended.
The console must not be placed close to trees, buildings, or irrigation systems. The siting of the weather station affects the readings.
Quick Setup Guide for Beginners
The most common mistake in the installation of a weather station is the placing of the temperature sensor.
The thermometer sensor must always be placed in shade with enough ventilation but never in direct sunlight. If you are placing it on a roof then ensure it is five feet above the roof and five feet above on the ground. The sensor must be at least 50 feet from a paved surface. It is recommended to have a radiation shield for the thermometer at all times.
Humidity scaling is the humidity of the common atmosphere in your location. Bodies of water and trees influence humidity readings a great deal. Therefore, the humidity sensor must be placed at least 50 feet away from these.
The rain collector must be placed with a horizontal clearance of five feet from a tree or building and should not be above 10 feet tall.
The wind speed and the direction are determined by your anemometer, which records the patterns of wind. On a standard parameter, place it 33 feet above the ground or more. An anemometer must be on the highest object of your house.
Conclusion
A weather station keeps you close to Mother Nature so you can closely study the elements of the weather. The data collected from the device is convenient to plan your routines and to plan ahead.
This type of device makes you independent of forecasts from meteorology because you have data of your own. It also gives the ability to customize the alarms and alerts right at your fingertips. Setting up the weather station may seem to be difficult but when you use this setup guide you might be inclined to own one.