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The Weather Channel Going HDTV

The Weather Channel is investing $50 Million to convert their on-screen graphics to HD and to build a new studio in Atlanta for HD. They will break ground on the new building on May 2nd and it should be completed by January. Interestingly, DirecTV will add the TWC in HD in September, but will upconvert everything until the new studio is complete. We for one welcome an HD version of weather - it's not like we don't get high definition weather for real each day right? :-)

VIA and Full Article

It's Bad Meteorology Friday: Tear Drop Shaped Rain

Did you know that rain is not tear dropped shaped? Well - we did, but we see it represented in teardrop form so much, we forget sometimes it isn't.

The artistic representation of raindrop as presented by popular culture is that of a teardrop. Actually, real raindrops bear scant resemblance to this popular fantasy (except after they have ceased to be raindrops by splattering on a window, say). It may seem too easy a target to single out the Weather Channel for criticism for their shoddy representation when virtually everyone from advertisers to illustrators of children's books do likewise. Yet, I would like to think they could be held to a higher standard as they attempt to convey the image of purveyors of accurate information.

Via Bad Rain

NOAA Weather Gadget Forecaster for OSX Dashboard

We just found this rather interesting little weather gadget for OSX - the NOAA Weather Center widget. If you're running on a Mac with OSX Tiger, you can install this little wonder. It has 4 main areas to explore once you enter your zip code or city and state: Forecast, Current, Radar, and Alerts. So far we've been using the Radar and Forecast - but they seem to be a little out of sync with our Ambient Weather Beacon, but it could be in the details.

Continue reading: "NOAA Weather Gadget Forecaster for OSX Dashboard"

Old School 5" Glass Rain Gauge

Let's kick rain measurement old school with a 5" glass rain gauge. I used to see these babies around the farms growing up as a kid in Maine. Never knew how much they cost - $2.49? For that price we might be a dozen and see what's going on all over our yard.

At 5"Glass Rain Gauge

Wireless Rain Center for Gardeners

We've never thought about how interesting a rain gauge would be for gardening instead of just knowing how much rain falls, but it really would be interesting. We have several spots in our yard where I'm always wondering how much rain the area gets, and how much I need to water.

It’s not always the norm but sometimes technology and nature can play nice together. For the green thumb who spends just as much time reading gadget blogs as they do gardening comes this wireless rain center. It will keep track of the daily and total rainfall levels in your garden and send that info back to an indoor receiver where it’s displayed on a large, easy to read LCD.

Via OhGizmo! at La Crosse Technology WS-9002U Wireless Temperature Station

Lacrosse Technology Wireless Temperature Station

The WS-7034U from Lacrosse is a wireless temperature station. You'll get a wireless sensor to place outside, and there's a temperature sensor on the station for indoor weather readings. We like the tall thin design of the Lacrosse Technology Wireless Temperature Station and think for $27 bucks this is a good option. There's also a digital clock to keep you on time as well.

At Lacrosse Technology Wireless Temperature Station WS-7034U

Speedtech WindMaster Weather Watch Pro Windmeter

Get the details on the wind when you need and right on your wrist! The Weather Watch Pro wrist watch uses a Swiss-made impeller for current, average, and maximum wind speed. One of the impeller fins is magnetized, highlighted in green and always points North. This allows you to mechanically determine wind direction. The display is backlit and the unit is water resistant to 10M! Weather Watch Pro can be detached from the wrist strap and worn on the included neck strap.

At Speedtech WindMaster Weather Watch Pro

Indoor Weather Comfort Meter

Since we're always obsessed with the weather outside - how about the inside? Yep - you can have too much humidity and have the heat up too high if you're not careful.

• Indoor temperature display
• Indoor humidity display
• Graph of indoor humidity at top of display
• Updated every eight seconds
• Comfort icon that shows happy or sad face based on temperature and humidity readings

At The Weather Channel WS-9410TWC Indoor Comfort Meter

The Weather Channel launches virtual HQ in Second Life

Okay - this just sounds nuts. The Weather Channel has launched a 3D headquarters inside Second Life. Unfamiliar with Second Life? It's a giant 3D world where you can run around and chat and have some fun. The Weather Channel headquarters will feature "virtual weather" and a giant extreme sports park based on the show "Epic Conditions". I'm not sure given how much time I put into the weather if I really need a "second set of virtual weather" - but you never know.

“We’re hopeful we can expose our brand in an original and meaningful way,” says president Debora Wilson. “We also see Second Life as a potential advertising platform for brands currently partnering with us.”

Via Techscape

Weems & Plath Weather Station

An elegant piece for your home or office. This weather station has the 3 traditional brass instruments on a finished mahogany plaque. A quartz clock for accurate timekeeping, a barometer to track changing air pressure, and an accurate thermometer and hygrometer to monitor temperature and humidity. All instruments have a 2.5'' dial with highly polished brass cases. Includes an ''AA'' alkaline battery for the clock plus lifetime warranty for the entire weather station.

At Weems & Plath - NEW! Weather Station

How to Read a Doppler Weather Radar Picture

We'll admit it. Until we had a house, we used to look at the doppler radar and just see - well moving rain or snow or stuff. Now when we look at the radar pictures, we use the gradient of color to quickly scan the pictures. Blue is better and yellow through purple - not so good. Last night we experienced some dark green, yellow, and some orange rain and you could really tell the difference as the different periods of heavy rain came through. We don't know how much "weather" we'll cover at WeatherSnob.com, but we thought this simple look at reading a doppler radar picture could give you some easy insight.

Picture via Weather and forecast information on WeatherBug.com

Oregon Scientific WR103NX Weather and Emergency Alert Monitor with NOAA Reception

We're still looking into getting one of these for boating this year and we like the features and the price. The Oregon Scientific WR103NX All-Hazards Emergency-Alert, Weather Radio automatically activates when a weather alert is broadcast, and gives you time to take cover if you need to. Employing S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology, it screens out broadcasts originating in distant locations. That means you can monitor local counties only and receive just the info you really need to hear. This state-of-the-art weather radio from Oregon Scientific packs plenty of punch but weighs less than a pound and easily fits into a coat pocket. With easy-to-read, LCD display, backlighting for viewing at night or in low-light conditions.

At Oregon Scientific WR103NX Weather and Emergency Alert Monitor with NOAA Reception

GPX Weather X TVWB534 All-in-one 5 inch Black & White TV, with AM/FM Radio and Instant Weatherband

This definitely improved on the model we posted yesterday because of the Instant Weather band this unit has. This system includes a 5 inch black and white picture tube with vertical hold, contrast, and brightness controls. But that's just the beginning. There's also AM/FM radio, a removable flashlight with recharge circuit, an emergency siren, instant Weatherband with fine tuning control, a thermometer and compass, and 2-adjustable rotary fluourescent lamp.

Easy to carry, with a molded carry handle, and easy to store, just 6 inches across and less than a foot high. And this unit is designed to work in a real emergency, when power may be out. You get 3 power options, 110V-AC for home use, adaptor included, 12V-DC, with fused cigarette lighter adaptor included, and battery power, for full portability (9 "C" size batteries required, not included). There's even a built-in charger for NiCad rechargeable batteries for the unit and the flashlight (NiCad batteries not included). Stereo headphone jack, audio/video input jacks and external antenna jack.

At GPX Weather X TVWB534 All-in-one 5 inch Black & White TV, with AM/FM Radio and Instant Weatherband

Innovage 5" Television Lantern with AM/FM Radio Tuner

Need to shed the light and watch some TV in some bad weather? Whether you're camping, boating, or just enjoying time in your backyard or workshop, this portable powerhouse is an ideal companion both indoors and outdoors. The Innovage Outdoor Television Lantern is loaded with handy features including a pivoting lantern, power spotlight, five-inch black and white television, AM/FM radio tuner and even an emergency siren. The three-way power source allows you to operate the lantern almost anywhere. Use the included AC power adapter, or batteries (not included) for total portability.

At Innovage 5" Television Lantern with AM/FM Radio Tuner

Innovage Outdoor AM/FM Weather Band Radio

This AM/FM outdoor weather radio from Innovage delivers high-quality audio and around-the-clock weather reports. Ideal for emergencies, power outages, using in the garage and while camping, this compact and sturdy radio is the perfect size to take with you wherever you may go.

At Innovage Outdoor AM/FM Weather Band Radio

Easter Holiday UK Weather 1958 to Present Day

Want to get obsessed with the weather for Easter in London for the last 50 years? We just found this gem of a weather data page that includes all the weather reports from 1958-2006 and we're pretty sure they'll add 2007. Our favorite Easter Weather description is in 1978 with disappointing cold. We also tried to spot whether or not we could see any warming trends on Easter, but alas the weather in London on Easter mostly just sucks.

There are summaries for each weekend (that's from Good Friday to Easter Monday in each case), mainly extracted from the Monthly Summary of the Daily Weather Report (Meteorological Office), the London Weather Centre "Daily Weather Summaries", and the Royal Meteorological Society's "Weather Logs". In addition, I have added data obtained personally whilst I was working for the Met Office, and subsequently by inspection of original publications.

At Easter Holiday (UK) weather

Ambient Weather Beacon from Ambient Devices

We have always admired anything from Ambient Devices, and we have always wanted one of the Ambient Weather Beacons. Currently, we have the 5 Day forecast from Ambient Devices, but we think we could find a place in our weather filled lives for the Ambient Weather Beacon. It's pretty simple how the device tells you about the weather, it's a sliding scale of color that glows more red if warmer and blue hues if cooler. Pulsing means rain or snow and best of all - it's silent.

At Ambient Weather Beacon

Global Warming is Unstoppable?

We're believers in global warming, but we also like to get the other side of the story. In this book, the two authors make the claim that global warming is just a 1500 year trend and we're seeing the end of it - or the middle if you like. Well - we don't buy it after seeing other evidence to the contrary - like the fact that in the past 10,000 years we didn't see the ice caps melt to the extent they are now EVER IN RECORDED history using ice cores, but what the hell. It's an interesting alternative if you want to put your head into the sand or ice and look away.

At Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years

Connect the Weather at Weather Connect

WeatherConnect carries a large selection of full-featured professional weather stations including the Vantage Pro2 from Davis Instruments. For those looking for weather instruments on a smaller scale, they carry the full line of home weather instruments from Oregon Scientific, La Crosse Technology, Taylor Instruments, and many other manufacturers. We like the site and think it gives you the full gambit of weather gadgets for the weather obsessed.

At Weather Connect

Oregon Scientific Thermometer and Self-Setting Clock

Finally a weather station with an all in one compact design that fits easily on the desktop or shelf. It also features an easy-to-read backlit LCD display which keeps you informed. The clock automatically sets itself to the US Atomic Clock via daily radio signals, and features dual alarm settings. The included wireless remote takes temperature and humidity readings, which it transmits every 40 seconds to the main unit up to 100 feet away. Two additional wireless sensors may be added to the system.

At Oregon Scientific Model RMR616HGA Thermometer and Self-Setting Clock