Frequently Asked Questions

Our weather stations base forecast on rate of change of pressure. This does not display what is happening right now, but rather, if the weather will change in the next 24 to 48 hours due to changes in barometric pressure.

In general, if the rate of change of pressure increases, the weather is improving (sunny). If the rate of change of pressure decreases, the weather is degrading (cloudy or rainy). If the rate of change is relatively steady, it will read partly cloudy or partly sunny (depending on the type of weather station).

The reason the current conditions do not match the forecast icon is because it is a prediction 24-48 hours in advance. In most locations, this prediction is only 70% accurate and it is a good idea to consult the National Weather Service for more accurate weather forecasts. In some locations, this prediction may be less or more accurate.

The National Weather Service (and other weather services such as Accuweather and The Weather Channel) have many tools at their disposal to predict weather conditions, including weather radar, weather models, and detailed mapping of ground conditions.  Thus, these forecasts are significantly more accurate then forecasts based on rate of change of pressure.

You will need to give the weather station enough time to predict changes in weather. This can take up to 30 days, depending on where you live.

FAQs:

1. The icons on my weather station have not changed in the short time I have owned it. You will need to give the weather station enough time to predict changes in weather. This can take up to 30 days, depending on where you live.
2.  Can I change the set points that trigger changes in the forecast icon?  With some Ambient Weather Stations (not most), there is the option “Pressure Threshold Setting”. The pressure threshold (the negative or positive rate of change of pressure signifying a change in the weather) can be adjusted by the user from level 2 to level 4 (default level 2 mbar/hour). Check your User’s Manual for this feature.  The lower the level pressure threshold setting, the higher sensitivity for weather forecast changes. Locations that experience frequent changes in air pressure require a higher setting compared to locations where the air pressure is typically stagnant.

In general, when following the regular maintenance schedule in the user manual a user can expect a 3 to 10 year life before fully replacing the sensor array. A weather station’s life expectancy is greatly impacted by it’s environment see examples below:

1. Coastal, Marsh or Wetland environments. Salt air, salt spray and acidification are the most difficult environments for weather stations to have a long life. The salt air, salt spray and acidification corrode bearings, sensor boards (temperature, humidity, etc.), mounting hardware and other moving parts. Expect a 1-3 year product life span in this type of environment. Ambient Weather's sensors boards are all conformal coated to prevent this corrosion. The nature of digital thermometer and hygrometer sensors relying on electrical resistance of metal changes allows the corrosion to occur more quickly
2. Long term high humidity environments. Prolonged exposure to high levels of humidity, whether salt, acidic or not, predisposes metal parts to fail prematurely. In a hot and dry environment weather stations are known to last 7-10 years.
3. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also reduce the life of a weather station.

Ambient Weather’s weather stations carry a one year warranty.

If the sensor array is not communicating to the console:

1. Replace the batteries. We recommend Lithium Energizer Ultimate batteries. Please reference:

   Why Are Lithium Ultimate Batteries Recommended And Not Alkaline Or Rechargeable Batteries?

2. The LED on the bottom of the unit should light up after replacing the batteries, and then flash once per minute. If the LED does not flash, the sensor array needs replacing.
3. Power down and up the console by removing one battery, wait about 30 seconds and replace the battery in the console. DO NOT TOUCH ANY BUTTONS. If the problem persists, the sensor array needs replacing.
4. We have a one year warranty. To replace the sensor array under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

   If out of warranty, the sensor array can be replaced here: https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

1. Remove the batteries and replace with non-rechargeable Energizer Lithium batteries. We have a discussion here:My Rechargeable Batteries No Longer Work. Which Batteries Are Recommended For My Weather Station?
   
2. Clean any corrosion around and on the battery terminals.
3. If the problem persists, the sensor array must be replaced. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbienetWeather.com/rma.html
   
4. If out of warranty, a replacement array can be purchased here: https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

1. If you own a display console, if the display is on rain rate, and it has not updated in the last 10 minutes, the rain will read 0.00 in. Change the display to read daily, weekly, monthly or yearly rain by pressing the rain key. Does the rain stay at 0.00?
2. Check the funnel for any debris. Clean the funnel.
3. Remove the funnel and check for any debris that may be affecting the tipping mechanism. Tip the mechanism back and forth. Does the rain update on the console? Check for any bugs or dirt. Clean with a damp, soft cloth.
   
4. If the problem persists, we have a one year warranty. Please visit www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
5. If out of warranty, the sensor array can be replaced here:  https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

If the wind speed reads 0.0 even when the cups are spinning, the sensor array will need replacing.

We have a one year warranty. For details, please visit:

www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

For out of warranty replacement, visit:

https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

The sensor array also works with the Model WS-2080.

If the wind and rain is not reporting to the display console, but temperature and humidity are. there is an issue with the sensor array and must be replaced.

We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit:

www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

For out of warranty replacements, visit:

https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

1. Replace the batteries. We recommend Lithium Energizer Ultimate batteries. Please reference:Why Are Lithium Ultimate Batteries Recommended And Not Alkaline Or Rechargeable Batteries?
   
2. We have a one year warranty. To replace the sensor array under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

   If out of warranty, the sensor array can be replaced here: https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

1. Replace the batteries. We recommend the following batteries:
   My Rechargeable Batteries No Longer Work. Which Batteries Are Recommended For My Weather Station?
2. Clean any corrosion around and on the battery terminals.
3. If the problem persists, the sensor array must be replaced. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbienetWeather.com/rma.html
   
4. If out of warranty, a replacement array can be purchased here:
   https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

If the console is missing segments:

1. Replace the batteries.
2. If the problem persists, the console may need replacing.
3. We have a one year warranty. To replace in warranty, visit:
   www.AmbientWeather.com
4. If out of warranty, a replacement console is available here:
   https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300c.html

The outdoor temperature sensor is no longer working properly. We do have a one year warranty. Please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

If out of warranty, the sensor array can be replaced here:

https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/571/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300.html

If the sensor array is no longer blinking or flashing, the array must be replaced.

We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

Otherwise, the sensor array can be replaced here:  https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

If the temperature sensor is well without the accuracy range, the sensor array must be replaced.

We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

Out of warranty replacement sensor array is available here: https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

If the rain resets to zero, you likely have the console set to display rain rate.

Rain rate is the amount of rainfall in the last 10 minutes, multiplied by 6 (in/hr) which is an instantaneous rainfall.

Reference the Quick Set Mode section in the User Manual to switch between rain rate,  24 hour (daily, resets at midnight), week, month and
total.

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/571/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300.html

1. Replace the batteries. We recommend the following batteries:
   My Rechargeable Batteries No Longer Work. Which Batteries Are Recommended For My Weather Station?
2. Clean any corrosion around and on the battery terminals.
3. If the problem persists, the sensor array must be replaced. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbienetWeather.com/rma.html
   
4. If out of warranty, a replacement array can be purchased here: https://www.ambientweather.com/amws5300array.html

Update – this model was discontinued and replacement parts are no longer available.

The WS-5300 weather station series back light is temporary and will not stay on permanently. This is because it would drain the batteries too quickly.