What is Weather Underground?
Hi, weather enthusiasts!
Weather Underground is a weather service that lets you access real-time weather information, including hyper-local weather forecasts, sourced from all over the globe from more than 250,000 home weather stations. The platform’s mission is to make quality weather reports available to every person on the planet - no matter where you live or how obscure your application.
This article unpacks the exciting benefits of Weather Underground, gives you a sneak peek at the Weather Underground experience, and we share examples of compatible weather stations that enable you to share and receive weather data.
About Weather Underground
Weather Underground will provide you with as much relevant, local weather data as the service can collect. They promise to provide weather forecasts (and more) for anyone underserved by other weather providers.
The “beating heart” of the brand is a generous and passionate community of weather enthusiasts who share the real-time weather data they collect from their home and business weather stations. The massive database makes hyper-local, extensive forecasts, and unique weather-related products possible.
Figure 1 below gives you an idea of the extensive reach of Weather Underground's weather station network.
Figure 1 Sensor network of over 250 000 weather stations on Weather Underground.
But as any good weather “junkie” knows, data volume alone does not determine a weather service’s quality. Weather Underground combines a proprietary forecasting model backed by the scientific expertise of a team of meteorologists to provide exceptional forecasts. The team also shares valuable insights into the science behind weather reports, together with the relationship between weather patterns and climate change. Their various platforms offer a super-friendly and fun user experience that enables you to find as much weather data as you need, as quickly as possible…wow!
Experiencing Weather Underground
WunderMap: On the app or website, you can view the interactive “WunderMap.” The interactive map includes a wealth of information at the touch of a button that includes:
- Weather stations – interrogate individual private weather stations for temperature, wind, dew point, humidity, and precipitation data
- Air quality – readings on a scale between PM 2.5 or PM 10
- Atmospheric conditions - including past/future radar reports, satellite images, weather fronts, and wind stream
- Severe and tropical storm information
- Wildfire activity including fire perimeters and smoke
Take a look for yourself! Browse Weather Underground’s ‘WunderMap’ here.
Webcams: Another neat feature of the map is real-time access to webcams. Check out the sky conditions around the world. Here is a screenshot of what was happening at a weather station in Antarctica while writing this article:
Figure 2 Webcam Image from a Weather Station in Antarctica Monday 18Th of November
Why Use Weather Underground
Having a station capable of adding to the data network of Weather Underground can only lead to more accurate, hyperlocal, and interesting weather information, which will benefit you and the world. For example, imagine the upside of more accurate weather data during times of bushfires, cyclones, or floods. By joining your weather station to the Weather Underground network, you will connect with like-minded people to help improve weather forecasting around the planet. How great is that?!
Examples of Weather Underground Compatible Stations
To participate in this global phenomena, you’ll need a weather station that’s compatible with the Weather Underground platforms. That’s where Instrument Choice scientists can help. We’ve compiled some examples of models that are popular, top-performing, and value-for-money, that communicate seamlessly with Weather Underground.
7 Inch Colour WiFi Wireless Weather Station - IC0370
The IC0370’s outdoor sensor suite transmits wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, light levels, and rainfall data to the indoor colour display. The coloured indoor display displays all these readings along with barometric pressure, indoor temperature, and humidity.
You can also view your information, including historical data, as well as reports and forecasts from around the world via Weather Underground.
Specifications
Applications: The perfect home or work weather station.
Outstanding Features: Weather Underground connectivity, WIFI connectivity, a wide range of weather parameters and, the indoor console has a bright coloured display.
Measures: Indoor/outdoor temperature, indoor/outdoor humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction/chill, dew point and, light levels.
Connectivity: WiFi
Instrument Choice Inclusions: Includes free shipping, returns & batteries.
Wireless WiFi Professional Weather Station
This weather station will quickly provide accurate real-time weather data straight from your home. Access your collected weather data via the Lac Crosse ‘View’ up, and from the app. You can also choose to upload your data to Weather Underground.
Specifications
Applications: Great for the home weather enthusiast.
Outstanding Features: Weather Underground connectivity, La Crosse App connectivity, coloured LCD internal console
Measures: Indoor/Outdoor temperature, indoor/outdoor humidity, Wind speed/direction/chill, rainfall, dew point, heat index and, forecasting.
Connectivity: WIFI
Instrument Choice Inclusions: Includes free shipping, returns & batteries.
Weatherlink Live Weather Cloud Vantage Vue Weather Station Package
With the Weatherlink live and Vantage Vue package you can stream your weather data live over WIFI to the Weatherlink cloud. Your data will then be compatible with third party services such as Weather Underground.
The Vantage Vue sensor suite communicates directly to Weatherlink Live with an industry-leading transmission distance of 300 meters and will upload data to Weatherlink.com without the need for a console or PC.
Specifications
Applications: Durable, accurate, and compact option for weather enthusiasts, farming & industry.
Outstanding Features: No need for an indoor console, data is sent from the outdoor station via Weatherlink Live to your phone.
Measures: Indoor/outdoor temperature, indoor/outdoor humidity, barometric pressure, dew point, heat index, rainfall, rain rate, wind chill, wind direction and, wind speed
Connectivity: WIFI
Instrument Choice Inclusions: Includes free shipping, returns & batteries
Weatherlink Live Weather Cloud Standard Vantage Pro2 Weather Station Package - IC-Weatherlinklive-6322AU
Packaging the professional Davis Vantage Pro 2 station and Weatherlink Live will enable you to stream your data over WIFI to the Weatherlink Cloud. From the Weatherlink cloud, your collected data is accessible to third-party applications such as Weather Underground.
This station accurately tracks a variety of weather conditions, has a wireless range of up to 300 meters, and features a solar panel to reduce battery consumption.
In a nutshell: Jam-packed with features, which is why so many weather enthusiasts and professionals choose the Vantage Pro 2.
Specifications
Applications: Built for professional users (and for home users wanting professional accuracy), the Davis Vantage Pro 2 takes weather stations to the next level.
Outstanding Features: Solar panel, kit comes with Weatherlink Live, the ability to set weather alarms, can expand, and add extra sensors.
Measures: Indoor/outdoor temperature, indoor/outdoor humidity, barometric pressure, dew point, heat index, rainfall, rain rate, wind chill, wind direction, and wind speed.
Connectivity: WiFi
Instrument Choice Inclusions: Includes free shipping, returns & batteries
Conclusion
Do you love tracking the weather? Are you interested in or need hyper-local weather data? Do you want to make a difference in the quality and accessibility of weather information globally? Then Weather Underground is for you!
Instrument Choice has a selection of Weather Underground compatible stations, backed by an expert team of scientists who help you get connected. In the meantime, you can browse all weather stations here.
Should you want to discuss anything about weather stations, feel free to contact one of the Instrument Choice Scientists. We’re here to help!
Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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