Weather Station

When talking about the meteorology and climatology of a place, these characteristics have been collected through devices that can record data. The data that are of interest to define the meteorology or climatology of a place are the meteorological variables or also known as climate controllers. The values of these variables are studied, measured and collected in the Weather Station. It is nothing more than a device capable of collecting all these atmospheric variables that are of interest to the meteorology of an area.

In this article we are going to tell you what are the main characteristics, applications and types of weather station that exist. In addition, you will know the importance they have for the knowledge of meteorology.

Key features

It is a device that can be installed on any terrain and in any part of the world. You need certain requirements so that you can perform the measurements as well as possible, but they are not too complex requirements to fulfill. Measuring all atmospheric variables isn't enough with a single device, as it's important to evaluate the range of error in the measurements. You can't rely entirely on the readings of a single measuring device.

For this reason, the area of land dedicated to the installation of different meteorological instruments is known as a meteorological garden. The usefulness of the meteorological station is very high and thanks to it, valuable data can be obtained. Among the best known functions we have the following:

Know the weather conditions of the place where it is located.
Comparisons with other stations in nearby locations are possible to see how the data varies and verify its accuracy. This also helps meteorology enthusiasts better understand their surroundings.
They help to obtain information that is needed to obtain the weather forecasts. With the data obtained, various numerical models are used for calculations. In this way, it is possible to provide the data to indicate the weather forecast.
They serve to create climate information in a representative way of the place where we collect the data.
With it you can create information alerts on meteorological phenomena that may affect or be of interest. For example, the existence of a front with possible rains.
Thanks to the data obtained, correlations of weather phenomena can be made that have been able to generate some risk situations, accidents, etc.
Important data is obtained for the development of crops in agriculture and for preventing crop destruction, something that can be studied further in amateur weather stations.

Types of weather station

A meteorological station is responsible for measuring a large number of atmospheric variables. We are going to make a list with them:

Temperature in air
Humidity
Barometric pressure
Wind speed
Direction of the wind
Precipitation
UV level
Snow Thickness
Soil temperature
Humidity of floor
Solar radiation
Visibility
Contamination analysis
Light hour measurement
Measurement of cloud height

Although there are different types of weather stations, they all usually measure the same or almost the same. Also depending on the quality of each one. We are going to analyze which are the most important stations:

Domestic weather stations

They are those that are for a general public. Its price is quite cheap and it has simpler features. They do not have to connect USB devices and measures basic weather information such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation. To learn more, you can check out how to choose the right weather station. here.

Stations with PC connection

As the name suggests, they are capable of connecting to a computer through a USB device. This data is exported and viewed in Excel. They are among the most famous among fans of meteorology. These are somewhat more expensive than the domestic ones since they have more capacity to measure meteorological variables.

It measures the same things as domestic ones, but it can also measure solar radiation indices, wind direction, and speed. It can also provide wind chill and dew point temperature values, essential information for understanding various weather conditions. It's therefore advisable to inquire about it. how the wind chill is calculated.

Wifi weather stations

These stations have an advantage over the previous ones: they are capable of transmitting data to the internet for online broadcasting. The connection can be via Wi-Fi or a direct cable to the modem. Among their features, we find some models that have a screen, so it is much easier to analyze the data on site. They are among the most popular among meteorology enthusiasts, who seek more precise monitoring of atmospheric conditions. In addition, their importance is reflected in how they are used in studies on climate change.

Portable weather stations

They are pocket stations. They are designed to be able to collect data at very specific moments and are related to the performance of outdoor activities. There are many plans that are stopped due to weather conditions. Thanks to this station, you can know the atmospheric variables to know the forecast of rain or adverse weather. They don't have the same accuracy as a larger station, but it's quite useful, especially when doing outdoor activities.

What instruments does a weather station have

To be able to measure all these variables, measuring devices and meteorological instruments are needed. We are going to comment on the characteristics of each instrument and the functions they have:

Thermometer. I think it is the most obvious, since if we want to measure the temperature it is necessary. Temperature is considered the variable that most affects humans.
Hygrometer. It is used to measure the humidity in the air and the dew point. In this way, we will be able to know how humidity affects the thermal sensation at all times, both in combination with heat and cold.
Pluviometer. Necessary to measure rainfall at all times. It gives us important data on torrential rains, agriculture and water supply.
Anemometer. Ideal for measuring the speed at which the wind is blowing. It is essential to know it to know the time.
vane. It is the one that serves to indicate the direction in which the wind blows.
Barometer. It's used to measure atmospheric pressure. This is another of the most important variables to measure. It tells us how the weather is changing, and thanks to it, we can know if the weather is going to improve or worsen.