Keep an Eye on the Sky – Predict the Weather Yourself

Nearly all of us check the weather every day. Is it going to rain and do I need an umbrella? Or is it going to be sunny, and I’d better bring a hat? Answers to those questions determine what we are going to do, where, and how we will dress in the morning.

But we are also all familiar with the following scenario. You watch the news in the morning and at the end, the weatherman says it is going to be a beautiful day. So, we put on appropriate clothes. Maybe you have an opportunity to wear something you love and never wear. You leave your house, and the sky is blue. However, at about three o’clock in the afternoon, big dark clouds start to appear and less than half an hour later it’s raining cats and dogs. Who gets the blame? The television station’s weatherman.

Over the years weather predictions have become more accurate. So, the scenario above happens less than it used to. Predictions are based on observations, experience, and most importantly, computer models. Still, with some basic equipment, you can be a weatherman yourself.

Amateur Meteorology

Keeping track of your local climate is fun. It gives you a chance to spend lots of time outdoors. You can keep track of the seasons and you can determine what the right time is to plant your vegetables or flowers. You might even be able to detect subtle changes in the climate in your area.

As an amateur, you will not be able to become the local TV station’s weatherman. But you can make weather predictions for yourself and your friends. You can tell others about your hobby and make them enthusiastic about meteorology. You can offer your data to others to enjoy and learn from.

Amateur weathermen can have a very important role in their local communities. They can provide interesting insights into certain phenomena. The data from local amateur weather centres are relevant also in larger and national contexts.

Backyard Weather Station Networks

Many countries have specialized clubs, networks, and societies for amateur meteorologists. They can exchange information, be educated, and they allow for local weather data to be gathered. This serves as an important source of information and is of use to professional meteorology centres.

In Australia, there is the WOW website. WOW stands for Weather Observation Website, which functions under the auspices of the National Bureau of Meteorology. Amateur weathermen can submit data on special local weather events, as well as daily weather information that they gather in their amateur weather station. There are provisions to transmit data automatically, depending on the type of equipment.

It can be great fun to gather that kind of information. It lets you test the limits of your equipment and hone your skills. Your data is of great use to the local community.

Professional Meteorology

Books, amateur meteorology societies, and the internet are great sources of information. With these alone, you can become an experienced amateur meteorologist. Becoming a professional involves much more.

You will need to earn a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or even a PhD degree in meteorology or similar science. Such a degree involves courses in computer science, mathematics, and other science-related topics.

If you want to become a weatherman for television or radio, you will have to consider additional courses. The people you see or hear in the media often have degrees in mass communication, English, or public speaking.

Equipment

There is some basic equipment you will need if you are thinking about making meteorology your hobby. The basic equipment does not need to cost a lot. Even simple tools will do a great job and you will need to spend maybe a couple of hundred dollars. As you advance, you may want to think of investing a bit more. Professional equipment costs many thousands of dollars.

• Rain gauge. This is a basic graduated tube that collects rain over a certain surface area. A good one will have a centimetre scale with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. You can read how much rain has fallen in a day and record the number.
• Thermometer. Many of us already have one. A good one will let you read the temperature in 0.1 °C increments, with an accuracy of ±0.2 °C.
• Anemometer. An anemometer measures wind speed. Some models also measure the direction. You can choose different models. There are newer handheld digital devices. More traditional ones are cup and vane-style anemometers.
• Barometer. The barometer is indispensable in your amateur weather station. It measures the air pressure. This is an important parameter in weather prediction.
• Hygrometer. The hygrometer measures the amount of water vapour in the air. Together with the air pressure, this gives you an indication of the weather to come.
• Weathervane. Not necessary if you have an anemometer that measures the wind direction. But it is a nice decoration for your home, and it tells people something about your hobby.

There are many more things you can measure and there are special devices for each one of them.

Final Words

Potentially anyone can set up a weather station. But be sure to set it up in the right way. It should be away from buildings and other objects like trees. Measuring weather events and keeping a record can be a fun and rewarding hobby.