Home weather stations -- how important for reports?

[JanelleHelling]

How important is a home weather station for accurate storm reports? Last night some good storms rolled through our part of Colorado. The phone rang, and it was the NWS with questions about the storm. It took him just a few minutes to ask the questions he wanted. I'm a long-time spotter, and they've called me before to confirm what they are seeing on radar.

Would it really matter if I had a real weather station with exact rain rate, wind speed and other possible data? In the middle of a storm like that, all my computer equipment is powered off, and I don't want to be on a landline phone very long or turn on the electronics. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 30 seconds of telling him pea size hail, wind below severe criteria, and extremely heavy rain was all the information needed. imo, exact measurements would not be all that useful.

We have discussed installing a "real" weather station out here, which is not an inexpensive project, done correctly. However, with so much real-time weather data available online, I've not been highly motivated to install a station here and have it get beat up by hail every year. I'd rather spend my "weather geek" money on other things.

How many other ST members maintain home weather stations? How important is precise information to spotter reports? I'm thinking "not so much." Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks in advance for discussing this question.

 

[Randall Jacques]

Personal Weather Stations (PWS)

I would imagine if the owner was a member of the Citizen Weather Observer Program (CWOP) that the NWS would put more weight on their reports. To be a member they have to follow some established guidelines on what equipment they can use and how it's placed on their property. For the non CWOP station owners there is no telling how reliable their readings are. My station, http://weather.konastream.com/index.htm , is strictly for my enjoyment. The siting of the anemometer and rain gauge is less than ideal making their readings suspect. The outside temp, humidity, and pressure sensor is located in a good spot and it is pretty consistent with all the nearby weather stations on PWS.com and Weather Underground networks.

 

[Jeff Duda]

How important is a home weather station for accurate storm reports? Last night some good storms rolled through our part of Colorado. The phone rang, and it was the NWS with questions about the storm. It took him just a few minutes to ask the questions he wanted. I'm a long-time spotter, and they've called me before to confirm what they are seeing on radar.

Would it really matter if I had a real weather station with exact rain rate, wind speed and other possible data? In the middle of a storm like that, all my computer equipment is powered off, and I don't want to be on a landline phone very long or turn on the electronics. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 30 seconds of telling him pea size hail, wind below severe criteria, and extremely heavy rain was all the information needed. imo, exact measurements would not be all that useful.

We have discussed installing a "real" weather station out here, which is not an inexpensive project, done correctly. However, with so much real-time weather data available online, I've not been highly motivated to install a station here and have it get beat up by hail every year. I'd rather spend my "weather geek" money on other things.

How many other ST members maintain home weather stations? How important is precise information to spotter reports? I'm thinking "not so much." Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks in advance for discussing this question.

Do you have an ASOS or AWOS station very near you? Would you be able to set up a weather station in an area far from obstructions such as tall trees or buildings (far being like 100 ft or so)? It never hurts to have more surface observation data. If you are able to afford it, go for it. It could be very helpful to not just you and the NWS, but any meteorologists who are able to access your data.

 

[rbstokes]

I like the idea of the Personal weather system. I am located about 3 miles north of NWS Newport and i work on base with an ASOS there about 3 miles north so its not that big of a concern for me. However in Data absent areas its a great idea. In theory it increases the resolution and by combining both systems you have a better idea of what is going on.