Whether a small display on the wall or a high-tech device in your own garden: Weather stations come in different versions and vary in price. Our guide tells you what minimum features a modern meteorological station should have, what additional useful functions there are and what you need to be aware of when making your purchase.
The basic readings
The basic functions of weather stations include measuring and displaying
- humidity,
- air pressure,
- wind speed and
- outdoor and indoor temperature.
If you would like to get a full weather forecast, this basic data is essential. Temperature alone is of little significance. Falling barometric pressure and increased wind speed, however, can be indications of possible severe weather conditions.
Starter model versus multi-function weather station
Weather stations can vary greatly in price. You can buy a basic model for 10 to 20 euro. Examples are the starter stations from Bresser and König. However, models with multiple sensors for comprehensive measurements controlled by smartphone app such as the Urban Weather Station from Netatmo cost 150 euro and above.
An affordable device will usually suffice if you just want to get basic details about the weather. But anyone wanting an interconnected station that retrieves data over the Internet from reputable meteorological institutes and uses it to come up with a forecast will need to pay more.
The quality of the measurement sensors and convenient operation via an app are reflected in the price.
But: A more expensive device does not automatically provide more features and additional readings. Often high-quality weather stations cost more because they can measure the weather a lot more accurately.
Display, long-term recording of readings, special additional functions
Weather stations come with monochrome and colour displays. The advantage of the colour displays: Usually you can read the data a lot more easily.
If you are interested in observing the weather over the long-term, you should choose a weather station that enables data to be saved over a longer period of time or allows it to be saved onto another device. Long-term data such as this can then be used to determine average values such as amount of rainfall and frequency of storms over the year.
Anyone interested in specific values, e.g. glider pilots interested in wind direction, for example, can opt for a modular system . This means they are not paying for features and readings they do not need.
Weather stations can also be used within the home. Some devices can be used to monitor the temperature of the fridge, for example. Some also contain stop watches and alarm functions.
Sensors: Readings will be incorrect if sensors are positioned incorrectly
When positioning outdoor sensors, you should make sure that they are not placed in direct sunlight because this would distort the readings. This also applies to internal sensors: Placing sensors in the window in full sun will produce incorrect results.
Just as important: Do not opt for a location where heat or moisture can build up or where the sensor could be exposed to strong wind.
On the other hand, a wind gauge should be placed as far as possible from a sheltered area so that it can take an actual reading of the wind.
The following generally applies: A sensor that is positioned or used incorrectly can significantly distort the actual values.
Image source: Fotolia / 109846178 / don222000
