Weather station

Weather Instruments:
– Thermometer for air and sea surface temperature
– Barometer for atmospheric pressure
– Hygrometer for humidity
– Anemometer for wind speed
– Pyranometer for solar radiation

Exposure:
– Instruments sheltered in a vented box like a Stevenson screen
– Specialized instrumentation for periodic recording
– Automatic data transmission in formats like METAR
– Automated Surface Observing Stations provide common weather reports in the US
– Importance of sheltering instruments from direct sunlight and wind

Data Collection and Sharing:
– Personal Weather Station operated by individuals, clubs, or businesses
– Advanced sensors measuring various weather conditions
– Digital console for data readouts
– Data sharing through websites or amateur radio
– Citizen Weather Observer Program facilitates data sharing

Oceanic Weather Monitoring:
– Dedicated Ships aided in weather forecasting and search and rescue
– Global network of 13 weather ships established in 1948
– Weather ship observations valuable for wind and wave studies
– Role largely replaced by satellites and weather buoys
– Weather observations continue from voluntary merchant vessels

Advanced Monitoring and Networks:
– Dedicated Buoys – Moored buoys in use since 1951
– Drifting buoys used since the late 1970s
– Moored buoys connected to seabed with chains or nylon
– Primary role in measuring conditions over open seas
– Network of buoys helped study El Niño-Southern Oscillation
– Synoptic weather station – Collects meteorological information at specific synoptic times
– Measures data using instruments like anemometer and thermometer
– Transmits formatted data to WMO for weather forecasting
– Operates at synoptic hours 00h00, 06h00, 12h00, 18h00 (UTC)
– Each station has a unique code assigned by WMO
– Networks – Include land-based weather station networks globally
– Examples are the Bureau of Meteorology AWS network in Australia
– Differentiate between synoptic observation networks and mesonets
– Provide essential data for analyzing weather patterns
– Serve both global and regional weather monitoring purposes

Weather station (Wikipedia)

For the Canadian folk-rock band, see The Weather Station.

A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for measuring atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation amounts. Wind measurements are taken with as few other obstructions as possible, while temperature and humidity measurements are kept free from direct solar radiation, or insolation. Manual observations are taken at least once daily, while automated measurements are taken at least once an hour. Weather conditions out at sea are taken by ships and buoys, which measure slightly different meteorological quantities such as sea surface temperature (SST), wave height, and wave period. Drifting weather buoys outnumber their moored versions by a significant amount.