Some gardeners will say it's essential to have. While others may think that the weather report they see in the news each day is good enough to trust... Anyway I recently bought an analog barometer, (because I don't fully trust digital ones), and I'm really very happy with it. It's actually a 3 in 1, with a temperature and humidity dial in it also. But I bought it mainly for the barometer. However now I am inspired to buy this as well, (see below), for accurate temperature and humidity... It's basically 2 identical thermometers, only the bulb of one is surrounded by a wick, the other end of which goes in a tank of water - If humidity is low, more water will evaporate from the wick, resulting in a drop in temperature. So from reading the difference between the 2 thermometers, you can very accurately find out what the exact humidity level is. Anyway there are other compact weather stations available in the market, (mostly electronic), which can even be connected to your smartphone also. But of course, as you all know, I am old school, plus I like building things for myself, (which I want to see withstand the test of time) - However, aside from that, I also want to have a basic astronomical observatory also. Nothing too complex, but a sundial or maybe an Astrolabe perhaps. For time keeping and tracking the seasons. So what do you guys think? Any ideas or experiences you'd like to share perhaps?
S-H, I use an old fashion barometer similar to something my mom had hanging on the wall. Got it at a second hand shop and I use it in my shack. It helps me monitor humidity and temperature year round to help keep the plants out there from freezing or boiling. I sometimes check the barometer but have an app that gives more comprehensive information. The MyRadar app shows air flow (as well as earthquakes, temps and a lot of other things). I like it because of the multiple climates within short distances in my region. The sound, ocean, multiple mountain ranges, Canadian air flows have impacts on weather that Seattle TV cannot accurately predict for my specific area. I used to work only 20 miles away and there could be a 24” snowfall in one area and none at the other area. Being in an earthquake prone area it is nice to see what the Pacific Ring of Fire is up to also. I should have turned off some of the layers so it was not so busy. Know you can add and subtract multiple layers though. I noticed that for your part of the world information was limited on my version of this app. As seen below. Might need to see if there is another version.
Here are photos off iPad that is set up differently in the app. Red circles are earthquakes You can set the strength you want shown and tap on the symbol to get more info like strength, location and depth
Too confusing for me ! When I was growing up my Grand dads barometer was a coke bottle inserted into a quart fruit jar partially filled with water ! When barometric pressure was rising the water went up into the coke bottle neck ! He knew how to read it and when it was far enough into the coke bottle,,he went fishing ! Always worked too !
That's iPhone and itsy app, not not very popular here... We are an Android crazy nation, and so there are many such apps on Google Play Store - Done you have to pay for, however the majority are free. So I've a few of those in my phone. But that's not really the point... As I want something which is stand alone, (not dependant on any network or an internet connection). Below are screenshots of some apps I use in my phone. These below aren't weather apps, but are related to space and time keeping.
Here in the states most but not all apps make for both android and apple. Actually I think Samsung may out sell Apple. I am sure there are some good electronics out there with apps. Where I live there are no Pacific Ocean weather observatory only satellites. We get to know for sure what Pacific weather is when it hits the coast. The 7-10 day and hourly forecast, tidal and lunar info comes with the packaged apps on the phones. The one photo I didn’t enlarge shows three other weather apps I use for a quick look for the day/week and then compare They were/are all free. Good luck in your search for your perfect weather app.
Mostly I visit this website for live weather satellite updates, (pictures are updated every 15 minutes) - It is what pilots use worldwide, as there is no spot on Earth which isn't covered. And it's completely for free. https://www.aviationweather.gov/ https://www.aviationweather.gov/satellite https://www.aviationweather.gov/data/obs/sat/intl/ These links below, (same website above), are where I go to for my weather. https://www.aviationweather.gov/data/obs/sat/intl/sat_ircol_d.jpg https://www.aviationweather.gov/data/obs/sat/intl/sat_irbw_d.jpg For your region, go to these links below. https://www.aviationweather.gov/data/obs/sat/intl/sat_ircol_a.jpg https://www.aviationweather.gov/data/obs/sat/intl/sat_irbw_a.jpg However I am not really interested in searching for better apps, (I already am using plenty)... What I want is to have my own independent weather station and observatory! Many electronic ones now exist on the market. But I want something old-school, unpowered as possible, and so will keep on working until it suffers from physical damage. Instead I want something like this for myself. Which would be a collection of old-school unpowered instruments, (which I would like to build myself).
I don't ever believe or fully trust anything I am being shown, offered or told, (not at first glance anyway) - Unless of course I have some way of independently verify whatever information is coming my way, (confirmed by the scientific method of confirmation and deduction).. It's just the type of rotten person I am... So it doesn't matter how gorgeous the news weather lady may be - I ain't believing a word she uttered, unless it tallies with whatever apparatus I might independently have. Why don't you all judge for yourselves, and honestly tell me if these guys below are really competent or not.
@S-H One thing useful but never mentioned is surface temps. Everybody is measuring air and ambient, but my plants are hotter than that so if you ever find a non contact or other surface thermometer that can give guidance as the actual temps the plants are dealing with let me know. I mean in the sense of a combo package or something I can set an alarm to for the phone etc.
Maybe a soil thermometer.. I use them to know when the soil temp is warm enough to plant in spring. It’s a pretty good indicator for plant application temps in shade and sun. Of course taking soil temps over differing times of the day to acquire the average temps over time.
