A weather station is a unique facility that has been set up either on land or sea with specialized instruments that will be used to record, analyze and provide data for the weather conditions so that the climate pattern of an area can be predicted. These facilities can be set up in offices, homes, companies, airports, and farms. The equipment found in this station includes a thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, anemometer, hygrometer whose functions are essential in the collection and analyzing of the climate conditions. Four major types of weather stations can be set up for these tasks. These categories include:
- Home weather station
- Professional weather facility
- Specialty stations
- Educational weather station
- Home weather stations.
This kind of station is also known as a personal station. This facility is usually set up in homes, a small office for simple analysis of the climate changes. The instrument in such a location comprises of a thermometer, barometer, and rain gauge. This kind of setup is cost-effective when it comes to finances, its devices are easy to read and interpret.
The most common type is the indoor digital station which comprises of simple digital instruments. This kind of facility can measure temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed which will help in the prediction of the weather patterns of the area.
Under the home station, there is a smart weather station that is more advanced than the digital facility above. When it comes to instruments. The instruments used of this kind are similar to the digital one but has a capability of understanding the voice’s commands and respond to requested information. These devices are a little advanced compared to the ones in the digital station.
The last kind of home station is the analog weather station. Just like the name suggests, this type of facility is old fashioned. This is a station with small instruments. The instruments in many cases will be laid on the table or hung on the walls during their functions. In most cases, these types of equipment are more about aesthetic than purposes.
- Professional weather stations.
This is the most popular station that has been built with reliability, accuracy, and functionality in mind. Some standards have been set depending on the country that such a center should be made under. Such a station should meet and pass the accuracy requirements in regards to the modern technology. This facility operates like any other station except that the instruments in it are more sophisticated and advanced. The types of equipment have additional functions that will be beneficial to the users. The groups of people that use this kind of station include industrial business, airports, farmers, government agencies among others. The above groups are involved in the large-scale industry and deal with large masses of people hence the need to get accurate weather predictions. Point to note, however, the setting up of this station is expensive. In most cases, they might require a big area to be built on and more sophisticated instruments to be used during its functions.
- Specialty weather stations
This type of weather facility is also referred to as the portable station. With its ability to be mobile it still has valid weather instruments and pieces of equipment that will be used in recording and analyzing the weather patterns. These types of equipment are in most cases held in hands or stored in luggage that one has to carry around. Hunters, hikers, campers are some of the people that find this kind of station useful in their activities. The above types of people are all mobile, heading to a specific destination e hence such a facility being suitable for their operations
- Educational Weather Stations
This kind of station is meant for educational purposes and is used in learning institutions. They are created with different age groups in mind so that all the school going children will have an idea of how such a station operates. From simple operating models to more sophisticated facilities all tailored to suit different age groups.
When setting up a weather station, the purpose and magnitude of the results one is looking to achieve will influence the type of facility to be set up. The budget one or an organization has set apart for this station will also impact the kind that can be set up. When these factors have been considered one can then narrow down to a type that will serve the intended purposes.