Electronic weather stations are used in a variety of commercial, industrial, governmental, and military applications. They provide real-time, often critical, on-the-spot weather information for users. The following weather station guide identifies a sampling of those applications:
AVIATION - For many locations, weather at the nearest ASOS-equipped airport can be significantly different than the weather at a smaller airport nearby. For the safety of pilots and passengers using these smaller airfields it's important to have up-to-date weather data. Even at airports with an automated weather station, air show coordinators often use weather stations to give their participants instant information on winds, altimeter, temperature, and other vital data. They can also be used as an emergency backup for the permanent weather station.
CONSTRUCTION - High winds and other adverse weather conditions are of major concern to the construction industry. Workers on bridge and high rise building projects are especially vulnerable to the adverse affects these weather conditions may cause. Under certain conditions, the projects themselves could be affected. Keeping a close eye on the weather with an industrial weather station is a must.
FIREFIGHTING - Fighting wildfires is a dangerous business and weather conditions (such as shifting winds) has caused many accidents and deaths during operations. A meteorological weather station (such as the Davis Vantage Pro2) can be deployed to help reduce those hazards, providing immediate weather information to incident commanders and firefighters in the field. Besides helping to keep them out of harms way should fire characteristics change, the information is critical to decisions concerning public evacuations. Weather station data can also be used to support air operations and in estimating coverage of the water and chemicals they release.
HAZMAT - Public safety and potential evacuation is of prime importance to HazMat teams. As in firefighting, weather information is critical in determining the area of highest exposure due to the spread of hazardous material in the air.
MASS TRANSIT - For public transportation organizations, industrial weather stations can be used to monitor conditions that may affect operations and traveler safety, such as freezing rain, heavy rain, or high winds. They can also help to monitor severe weather events as they occur.
AGRICULTURE - Gardeners, growers, forestry, farmers, golf course managers, parks departments, commercial landscape managers, and others depend on agricultural weather stations to measure environmental conditions that affect plant, pest, and livestock development. This information enables the grower or turf manager to plant, irrigate, and control pests with a high degree of efficiency. It enables the forester to monitor wind conditions and forest dryness. It can also provide an indication of environmental stress on workers and livestock.
EDUCATION - School weather stations are a wonderful tool that can enhance earth science and geography classes, helping students improve their achievement in science and math, and in the use of computer and network technology.
MILITARY - Portable weather stations are an important resource used for battlefield operations, nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) threats, tactical air operations, artillery support, and more.
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