Temperature and humidity are the two most basic of weather variables and all of us are interested in what they are right now and what they will be in the future. Current and forecast temperatures help us plan our day and even the upcoming week or month. Long-range forecasts help various interests plan well into the future. To all of us, knowing the current and future temperature is important.

Weather stations with indoor and outdoor thermometers are available from many retail sources and are surprisingly inexpensive. Even the most basic of wireless weather stations include an inside and outside thermometer. Typically the indoor thermometer is housed within the console, the outdoor thermometer located remotely outside. These digital thermometers have the advantage of being able to send and record data automatically and their design offers much improved accuracy over the older mercury-based types. Many are able to accept the inputs from multiple temp sensors. This feature allows for the addition of specialized thermometers, such as those with temperature probes allowing you to monitor a pool or hot tub. A remote indoor thermometer can also be used to monitor wine cellar temperature or the temperature in another location in your house.

If your station has a hygrometer you will also be able to measure the amount of moisture (or water vapor) in the air, commonly referred to as humidity. By knowing the percentage of humidity in the air along with the current temperature, dew point temperature and heat index can be calculated. These factors can be important to those who work and play outside. They are also important to farmers and other agricultural concerns with regard to stress in livestock or plants, or in properly irrigating crops. Combination thermo hygrometers are also ideal for greenhouse operations.

 

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