Weather stations definition

The weather stations or meteorological stations are facilities for weather observation and collecting different weather data together with satellites, weather buoys, meteorological probes, and radars. But the weather stations are the most — more than 40.000 official all over the world — so it is the main facility among others. They register data at a specific point on the map and send it to the big data processing centers.

Most often, stations are installed on the ground, but also at sea on a ships, or even at the aiplanes. Stations are also often installed at the airports, where it is important to constantly measure the weather.

At the station, where the observations are made by a person, the information is recorded at least once a day, at automatic stations — once per hour.

Weather stations are monitored by different government agencies of the countries where they are located. There is also the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) — a special United Nations agency, which makes sure that the number of stations does not decrease and the system of data collection works.

There are also global and regional weather stations networks analyzing different weather parameters. For example, Arizona Meteorological Network (AZMET) in the United States or the Bureau of Meteorology AWS Network in Australia.

Photo: Weather station at the top of the Sulphur Mountain, Banff, Alberta, Canada / Dave Feaster

Photo: Weather station in the Deer Park / Gareth Thomas

Photo: Weather station on the Mount Vesuvius, Italy / Michal Osmenda, Wikipedia

How does weather station work

At “official” weather stations, the wind is measured at a height of 10–15 meters above sea level, i.e. we measure the wind speed not on the surface, but at some height. For this purpose, a mast is placed, on which, in turn, a station is installed.

You are well aware that at the top of the mast the station may show you a completely different wind than it is now at your ground level or water level. But traditionally weather stations measure exactly at this altitude, and the forecast is also given for an altitude of 10 meters, which is also important to understand.

First of all, it collects the most important data: temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed and wind direction, precipitation amounts...

Then, marine stations also measure sea surface temperature, wave height and period, and other sea data.

More equipped stations measure ultraviolet index, leaf wetness, soil moisture and temperature, water temperature in different natural water reservoirs such as lakes and rivers.

Meteostations are very different. They can be big and small, more or less complex, analog, and digital...

A classic analog professional weather station consists of the following basic weather instruments:

The wind speed and direction are measured by an anemometer.

Stations at the airports may have Precipitation Identification Sensor (falling precipitation), disdrometer (drop size distribution), transmissometer (visibility), ceilometer (cloud ceiling), and other instruments.

Update time: official — every 3 hours, unofficial — depending on the station. There are automatic weather stations that work once every 5 minutes, once every minute, once every 30 seconds, and it can break down and not show anything for a long time.


Maintenance and calibration of weather stations

To ensure that your weather station provides accurate measurements of atmospheric conditions, it is important to perform regular maintenance and calibration. This includes cleaning the sensors and data logger, checking the batteries, and recalibrating the sensors as needed.

Calibration is the process of adjusting the sensors to ensure that they provide accurate measurements. This is typically done by comparing the measurements from the weather station to measurements from a reference instrument.

Conclusion

Weather stations are an important tool in predicting the weather. They provide critical data that is used to create weather forecasts, which can help save lives and protect property. There are several types of weather stations, each with its own set of instruments and capabilities. When choosing a weather station, it is important to consider factors such as accuracy, sensor type, price, ease of use, and durability. Regular maintenance and calibration are also important to ensure that your weather station provides accurate measurements of atmospheric conditions.


Fundamentals of a Weather Station

Weather stations play a pivotal role in capturing real-time data crucial for meteorological analysis and forecasting. Through sophisticated instruments and continuous data collection, you gain insights into atmospheric conditions.

Weather Data Measurement

In the domain of meteorology, precise observation is key. Your weather station measures various atmospheric variables such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind direction, wind speed, and rainfall. These readings are foundational to understanding the weather patterns that affect you daily.

Key Instruments and Technology

A multitude of instruments are employed in a weather station, including:

Technological advancements have augmented traditional tools with remote sensing equipment like weather satellites and radar systems, including Doppler radar, which further refines your comprehension of the atmosphere.

Understanding Meteorology

Meteorology is a STEM field focused on the analysis of weather and climate. You utilize collected data to deduce weather patterns and decipher signs of upcoming weather events. It’s essential to understand the interplay of atmospheric conditions and how they combine to create the weather you experience.

Data Collection and Transmission

Data is continuously gathered by a mixture of ground-based sensors, radiosondes, and weather balloons, then augmented by satellite data. This data collection and transmission allows meteorologists to perform timely and accurate weather predictions. Remote sensing technology facilitates the regular relay of weather station data to centralized systems for further analysis.

Predicting Weather

Understanding how weather stations predict weather is a fascinating look into the blend of technology and atmospheric science. You’ll see how data becomes a weather forecast, the precision with which weather phenomena are tracked, and the critical role forecasts play in anticipating extreme events.

Weather Forecast Models

Weather stations employ sophisticated weather forecast models to predict upcoming weather conditions. These models are powered by supercomputers that process vast amounts of weather data from various sources. By solving complex math equations, computers can simulate atmospheric conditions. For example, the National Weather Service uses these simulations to generate local forecasts, which include predictions for storms, hurricanes, and other severe storms.

Interpreting Weather Data

Once collected, weather data must be accurately interpreted to predict weather conditions with a high level of accuracy. Forecasters use an array of tools for reading and analysis of data to forecast weather conditions like nimbostratus or cumulonimbus clouds, indicative of precipitation. The interpretation of data is critical for issuing warnings and for the safety of the public during storms.

Monitoring Extreme Weather Events

Monitoring and predicting extreme weather events is one of the most crucial functions of a weather station. Advanced forecasts and warnings of hurricanes, storms, and other severe storms can save lives and property. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays a key role in providing timely weather forecasts and warnings to help you prepare for extreme weather events.


What is a weather station?

A set of sensors providing valuable information

A weather station is also called a weather station, weather park, or weather shelter. It is a measuring device, consisting of different sensors and fulfilling different functions.

While there are massive, highly sophisticated ones used by national meteorological services, some are dedicated to the general public. A weather station can act as a thermometer, clock, sound level meter, hygrometer, anemometer, barometer, etc. in the home barometer, it can also provide information on air quality, moon phase, or indoor pollution levels. Everything you need to get your own weather forecast!

The use of weather stations in private homes has become more widespread in recent years. It has become a fashionable object (especially the connected weather station, the flagship of IoT, and connected objects).

Why (and for whom) is a weather station useful?

Gardeners, farmers, sailors, navigators, hikers, mountain bikers, carpenters, labourers… anyone who needs accurate weather information can benefit greatly from a weather station. Or even for a person who just wants to know if the weather will be bad or if they do not want o miss out on the sunshine!

But that's not all: many weather stations also provide data related to the atmosphere inside the house, such as air quality, indoor air pollution humidity, and temperature.

So, why use a weather station at home? It's simple, to better predict the weather and to analyse the quality of the atmosphere at home. This makes it possible to control the interior environment of the house, but also to better anticipate the exterior environment and climatic hazards.
Now let's get into the details of the functions of a weather station.

What are the functions of a weather station?

Wind, pressure, temperature, humidity levels, weather forecasts, atmospheric quality… what does a weather station measure?

The variables that a weather station measures depend on the individual station. More importantly, they can be divided into two broad categories: variables in the external environment (such as weather) and those in the internal environment (such as air quality).

Let's start with the external variables:

Now let's move on to the variables inside the house:

Combining these data gives you the power to act on them by regulating them. Using a weather station to make these measurements is the first step, but the real question is what you will do with it.
As mentioned, there is not just one type of weather station. There are many of them!

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