Back to Basics - Weather Measurements and What They Mean

Are you overwhelmed when trying to understand all the weather measurements and their meanings? Weather can be a complex subject, but don't feel discouraged! Let's take a step back to the basics and lay out what each measurement indicates so that you can easily navigate your weather data. Some of the most common weather measurements are temperature, humidity, wind speed, and barometric pressure. Although you may have heard of these words before, it is quite possible that you may not know precisely how they are computed. So, grab a cup of coffee - it's time to dive into Weather 101!

• Rainfall- the quantity of rain falling within a given area in a given time. Rainfall or precipitation is measured in inches but is also commonly represented in millimeters (mm). A rain gauge is a modern instrument used to measure rainfall.
• Relative Humidity- the amount of water vapor present in the air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature. A Hygrometer instrument is used to measure humidity.
• Barometric Pressure- this is also known as atmospheric pressure. Both are defined as the pressure within the atmosphere of the earth. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure in units of measurement called atmospheres (atm) or bars.
• Wind Speed- the rate at which air moves in a particular area. Wind speed is measured in miles per hour (mph) and is captured by an instrument called an anemometer.
• Wind Direction- the true direction from which the wind blows at a given location. For example, a northerly wind blows from the north to the south. Wind direction is measured in degrees clockwise from the north. A wind vane is a standard instrument to measure wind direction.
• Wind Chill- a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed. In simple terms, the colder the air temperature and the higher the windspeeds, the colder it will feel on your skin if you are outside. The wind chill index considers heat loss from the human body and is used to determine dangerous conditions that could lead to hypothermia or frostbite.
• Leaf Wetness- describes the amount of dew and precipitation left on surfaces. It is mainly used for monitoring leaf moisture for agricultural purposes such as fungus and disease control, fog and dew conditions, and early rainfall detection.
• Soil Moisture- soil moisture is the water content of the soil. It can be expressed in terms of volume or weight. Soil moisture can represent the water that resides in the soil's pores and can be determined by several factors beyond weather conditions.
• Soil Temperature- is simply the measurement of warmth in the soil. The ideal soil temperatures for planting most vegetation are 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil temperature is also dependent on soil moisture and pore space.
• Solar Irradiance- the output of light energy from the sun, measured in the form of electromagnetic radiation. In SI units, solar irradiance is measured in watts per square meter (W/m2).
• Dew Point- the temperature at which a given parcel of humid air must be cooled, at constant barometric pressure, for water vapor to condense into water. The condensed water is called dew. The dew point is a saturation temperature.
• Heat Index- heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.
• UV Index- tells you how much ultraviolet radiation is at ground level on a given day and its potential to harm your skin. UV radiation is a component of sunlight that can cause tanning and sunburn in the short term and cataracts and skin cancer in the long term.
• Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)- the measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight. This measurement considers temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. This differs from heat index because it takes into consideration temperature and humidity.

Getting all Weather Measurements in One Device

When you are looking to track a wide range of measurements, an Ambient Weather station is your best instrument.

All our Personal Weather Stations ensure you never leave home unprepared. From temperature, humidity and barometric pressure to wind speed, rainfall and more – our comprehensive range of measurements will help you stay up-to-date on your hyperlocal conditions. Our stations and sensors are feature-rich, with bright displays and built-in connectivity to a powerful web-based dashboard - The Ambient Weather Network™ (AWN).

Ambient Weather WS-1965 WiFi Weather Station

The Ambient Weather WS-1965 is the latest weather station from Ambient Weather. It is the perfect entry-level station for anyone interested in monitoring their backyard weather.  It's easy to set up and use but doesn't skimp on sensors - you can track lightning strikes, air quality, and pool temperature from the comfort of your couch or office. All the data you collect can be viewed and managed on your AWN personal weather dashboard.

The WS-1965 has all the features you need to get accurate readings of

• Dew point
• Forecast
• Heat index
• Indoor temperature
• Indoor humidity
• Optional lightning detection
• Outdoor humidity
• Outdoor temperature
• Rainfall
• Relative pressure
• Optional soil moisture
• Wind direction
• Wind speed
• Wind chill

Ambient Weather WS-5000 Ultrasonic Professional Home Weather Station & Thermo Hygrometer

If you are looking for a more advanced and sophisticated weather station, the Ambient Weather WS-5000 is the perfect fit for your home. With an integrated sensor suite, ultrasonic wind sensor, and LCD display, the WS-5000 lets you monitor everything from indoor and outdoor temperature to UV index. The large display is easy to read, even from a distance, while the Wi-Fi connection allows you to access and manage your data remotely on the Ambient Weather Network.

The WS-5000 has all the features you need to get accurate readings of

• Dew point
• Forecast
• Heat index
• Indoor temperature
• Indoor humidity
• Optional lightning detection
• Outdoor humidity
• Outdoor temperature
• Rainfall
• Relative pressure
• Optional soil moisture
• Wind direction
• Wind speed
• Wind chill

The weather is something that impacts our lives daily. It is essential to know the basic terminology of weather measurements so you can get the most out of your Ambient Personal Weather Station . To find the right station for you click here.