Weather Stations & Software

SKYWARN Update

Doug Butchy, W3SAXMercer County Emergency Coodinator

Why a Personal Weather Station?•Personal Enjoyment

•Provide localized data to served agencies - NOAA, NWS - Helps NOAA to craft their predictions & watches/warnings.

•Provide data to others via the web - Weather Underground, WeatherBug

Manufacturers•Davis

•Oregon Scientific

•Rainwise

•Peet Bros.

•$150 - $2000

Selecting a Station

•Wired vs. Wireless

•Battery Power/Backup?

•Durability

•Available Components

•Software Compatibility

•$$$

AnemometersWind Speed & Direction

Rain Gauge

•Drip Count

• Tipping Bucket

•Heated

Other Components

•Temperature Sensor

•Humidity Sensor

•Lightning Sensor

•Soil Temperature

Displays/Consoles

Gathers Sensor Information & Can

Send Data to Computer Software

Software

•$0 - $300

•WeatherCat for Mac

•WeatherDisplay

•Weather View 32

•WeatherSnoop for Mac

Software

Software

Tips

•Select the best station for your needs/wants

•Select the best location for your sensors• Anemometer should be as high as possible away from

obstruction

• Rain Gauge should be away from obstruction

• Temp Sensor should be shielded from radiation

•Select the best software for your needs/wants

•SKYWARN Yahoo Group

•Current Training Schedule

•Email from Fred McMullen, NOAA

• Most reports are now coming to NWS from social media.

• “...during high impact events, we will bring in ham radio operators to staff up WX3PIT.”

For Your Referencedougbutchy.com/wxpresentation

•Davis (http://www.davisnet.com/weather/)

•Oregon Scientific (http://www.oregonscientific.com)

•Rainwise (http://www.rainwise.com)

•Peet Bros. (http://www.peetbros.com)

•NY Times Article