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Showing posts from 2025

A visit from OTT HydroMet

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Delivering customized, field-proven environmental monitoring solutions to our customers relies on supplier relationships built on trust, collaboration, and technical excellence. It was great to have John Niedfeldt, our Territory Sales Manager from OTT Hydromet , stop by the office recently. "While communication mainly happens over the phone or through email, it's always nice to put a face to the name!" said Office Manager Debbie Taylor. CWS President Nader Khoury gave John a walkthrough of our facility and showed how we integrate OTT sensors into our systems. Thanks for the visit, John! 

Heat Safety Week 2025

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479 workers in the U.S. died from exposure to high temperatures from 2011-2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. NASA reported that last summer was the hottest on record. It is Heat Safety Week. Don't put the health and safety of your team at risk. Having the right tools to prevent heat-related illnesses is a high priority as we head into summer.  · acclimatization plan · buddy system · frequent rest breaks and hydration  · appropriate clothing (Recommendations from NIOSH) All of that begins with vigilant Environmental Monitoring. CWS offers two different professional systems to help monitor for heat stress: ➡️ Wet Bulb Globe Temperature provides a commonly used measurement for public safety. ➡️ Thermal Work Limit reports a comprehensive calculation with additional environmental factors. Both Heat Stress Monitoring Systems incorporate an ISO standard 150mm Black Globe Temperature Sensor. If you manage outdoor workers, now is the time to take the necessary steps ...

Command Center for Tactical Operations

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✅ Ready for tactical operations, no matter the weather.  “It’s a Swiss army-knife capable of supporting any mission it encounters”! This Sprinter Command Center for Jefferson Parish Louisiana is fully loaded with high-tech gear including a Magellan MX600 Weather Station. A Weather Display console allows the team to monitor current weather data for operations including drone flights and surveillance. Read more about the vehicle built by Accelerated Media Technologies Inc. here Photos courtesy of Accelerated Media Technologies

Portable Weather Stations for Quick Deployment

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Looking for a professional, portable weather station that takes just minutes to set up? We've got you covered ✅ All portable weather stations from Columbia Weather Systems — including this Magellan MX500 getting prepped to ship — come in a rugged transport case that protects your gear and simplifies setup, delivering critical met data exactly where and when it matters. Available in Wireless and Datalogging configurations, each CWS portable system includes: – Selected meteorological sensors with 15-foot cable – Sealed battery system with charger for continuous monitoring – Tripod sensor mast simple set-up for secure and stable operation – Heavy-duty canvas tripod bag with tote straps From quotation, to setup, to long-term field ops—if you need technical input, get in touch!

From Serial Cables to Seamless Integration

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It's Throwback Thursday time! Our Fall 1990 "ReCap" Newsletter highlighted the new RS232C Interface, connecting the Capricorn II Weather Station to a computer or printer for reporting and displaying weather data. Needless to say, we've expanded our options since then! Whether your industry requires real-time monitoring via network software, 4-20 mA interface, internet browser, stand-alone display, mobile app, or all the above — we've got you covered. Our proprietary monitoring options are compatible with all CWS weather stations and can be used independently or together for easy data viewing and analysis. P.S. Shout out to long-time customer NW Natural !

New Marine-Grade Weather Station

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  Harsh marine environments can be tough on meteorological sensors. Saltwater corrosion, persistent strong winds, and constant wave movement can produce inaccurate readings and shorten the lifespan of sensitive electronic equipment.   That's where the MX560 comes in. The latest addition to the Magellan MX™ Weather Station line of sensors, the MX560 is built to withstand operations like offshore wind farms, offshore oil, marine buoys, and unmanned surface vessels. Features and benefits: ·    IP66 and IP68 protection ·    6-axis compass compensates for tilt and provides pitch & roll data ·    Wind speed and direction, temp, humidity, and pressure measurements ·    Integrated GPS and true wind calculation if platform is moving ·    Heated sensor option ·    No moving parts ·    Simple to set up and integrate   CWS President Nader Khoury comments: "The MX560 is a marine-grade sensor suitable...

Mobile Command Center's Pulsar Weather Station

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A Pulsar™ 800 Weather Station is seen mounted on the roof of the Cedar Park Mobile Command Center as it responds to an incident (Photo courtesy of John Cummins / City of Cedar Park) Tornadoes, hailstorms, straight-line winds, thunderstorms, and flash floods can occur unexpectedly in Central Texas' s ubtropical, subhumid climate . This makes keeping a close eye on weather conditions a top concern for public safety officials. The City of Cedar Park, TX is prepared for emergencies with their Mobile Command Center, a joint-use resource for the Fire and Police Departments as well as the Central Texas Regional SWAT Team. A Pulsar 800™ Weather Station mounted on the vehicle allows decision makers to view current data quickly and easily. “The Mobile Command Center, as the name suggests, serves as a mobile incident command post for large-scale emergencies with prolonged operational periods,” their website states. The vehicle “is equipped with meeting rooms, workstations, display monit...

Mobile Weather Stations

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  There’s no substitute for immediate, accurate, on-site weather data... Unlike fixed-base versions , Mobile Weather Stations can be transported to different locations, allowing users to acquire meteorological data in varied or changing environments. This can be critical for first responders, work crews, or researchers who require accurate, on-site weather information for analysis and decision-making. Some Applications of Mobile Weather Stations Mobile weather stations serve a variety of critical functions across multiple industries, including: Outdoor Work Crews – Monitor on-site for heat stress or extreme cold Emergency Response – Optimize situational awareness to ensure safety of crew and public Military Operations – Support tactical decision-making based on environmental conditions Outdoor Events & Sports – Assist planning and safety at races, concerts, and other outdoor gatherings Environmental Research – Data collection to analyze the impact of weather conditions Cli...

Weather Stations "Fill gaps in weather information" for Emergency Management Operations

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  The Chatham County Emergency Operations Center in Pittsboro, NC MIND THE GAP: The reality is, relying on publicly available weather data doesn't get you the detailed, hyper-local information you need to make informed decisions. Chatham County Emergency Management in North Carolina recognized this dilemma and implemented a plan to increase weather monitoring coverage. Emergency Management Director Steve Newton described how: "Chatham County Emergency Management (Pittsboro, NC) partnered with the county’s Emergency Communications department to install Columbia Weather’s Orion sensors on public safety radio towers to fill gaps in weather information used to inform decision making at the Emergency Operations Center. "We installed fixed Orion Weather Monitoring Systems at radio towers in four “corners” of the county (NE, SE, SW, NW) and one centrally at the Emergency Operations Center." A view from the ground of an Orion Weather Station mounted on the ice bridge of a ra...

Addressing Heat Stress with Thermal Work Limit (TWL)

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  ⚠️ Trying to balance worker safety and productivity when temperatures get high? It’s not too early to be planning ahead for summer work crews. Could you use a more comprehensive measurement for monitoring heat stress? Inspired by requests from places like Kuwait and Quatar, where both temperatures and development are increasing, CWS is adding Thermal Work Limit (TWL) as a calculated parameter in our monitoring and display options. It might be useful for you, too, if you supervise or dispatch workers in outdoor environments like public safety, utilities, and construction. 🌡️ TWL is a measurement of heat stress that incorporates more environmental parameters than either Heat Index or Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. It includes dry and wet bulb temperatures, black globe temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and barometric pressure. Therefore, it takes into account the cooling effects of air movement (wind). TWL’s advantages include: Improved Accuracy: Accounts for critical envir...

Happy Umbrella Day

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Happy Umbrella Day! 🏖️ Let us know in the comments — is it umbrella weather where you are?? Martha is modeling one of our favorites from Shed Rain ! ☔️

Happy National Weatherperson's Day

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Are you a Weatherperson? 🌦️ Do you rely on weather data to make informed decisions for yourself or your team? Whether you’re a plant operator, crew supervisor, or meteorologist, professionals in many industries depend on CWS weather stations to monitor for safety and operational efficiency. That makes YOU a Weatherperson — and today, we celebrate you! 📅 February 5th is National Weatherperson's Day, honoring John Jeffries, one of America's first weather observers. He began daily weather tracking in Boston in 1774 and conducted the first balloon observation in 1784! We appreciate the dedication of professionals who keep industries moving forward with critical weather insights. At CWS, we are proud to support you with reliable solutions to help make informed decisions. Thank you for your commitment to accurate weather monitoring. WPBF News team with their First Warning Weather Live Tracker and Magellan MX600 Weather Station. North Star BlueScope Package Engineer Kelly Masell mon...

Celebrating Another Year at Columbia Weather Systems

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Each person at CWS plays a critical role in creating the weather stations our customers rely on . Here are some of our team members who work together to give you quality met monitoring equipment tailored to your needs. Last weekend, we gathered to celebrate another successful year at our company dinner. Ironically, the wife of our remote Software Developer won the multiple-choice company trivia! Thanks to our wonderful team and customers who make what we do possible. Special shout out to Nena and Edgar at Orenco Station Grill in Hillsboro, Oregon for the excellent food and service!

GSA Contract Renewed

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Need a professional weather station for your federal project? U.S. federal agencies, and other organizations purchasing with federal grants, may continue to purchase most CWS weather stations through the GSA Advantage Catalog and eBuy portal. The GSA program offers streamlined procurement with competitive pre-negotiated pricing. Participants are assured the best offer. As a pre-approved vendor, CWS has met stringent standards and is a trusted supplier for government agencies. Our contract number has changed, as we recently completed a major 20-year renewal of our Government Services Administration (GSA) contract. Our first Capricorn model weather station was awarded a GSA contract about 35 years ago, laying the foundation for our current range of advanced weather station models trusted by government agencies today. In 2004 sales manager John Gerrish, a former U.S. Air Force meteorologist, implemented a new contract expanding our weather offerings. Our GSA offerings also extend to state...

Custom-Built, Professional Weather Stations

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Every weather station from Columbia Weather is custom-built to the specific needs of our customers. Our in-house technicians perform testing to assure the quality of all the weather monitoring systems that go out the door 🔧 Get in touch here  and we'll help you find the right system for your requirements! Image description: A technician assembling a Pulsar 500 weather station on a table with various components and tools.

High Accuracy + Easy Maintenance Pulsar Weather Stations

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“(This is) the best technology when it comes to data collection for weather” —Paul Deanno, KPIX San Francisco Meteorologist. Top-of-the-line Pulsar™ Weather Stations features include: ☑️ Choice of sensor configuration in all-in-one module ☑️ Advanced Doppler radar measures precipitation type, intensity ☑️ Ventilated radiation protection ☑️ No moving parts, low maintenance  ☑️ Fast and simple to install Pulsar weather stations are for operations that require precise weather monitoring, such as satellite communications, broadcast, and transportation. Customers include Ferrari, Siemens, CBS TV, and the U.S. Air Force. Have questions? Visit our website here .

Happy New Year from Columbia Weather

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Happy New Year! In 2024, CWS helped critical operations around the world be more prepared, whatever the weather. We are happy to kick off 2025 by sharing that our GSA contract has been renewed. We're looking forward to providing trusted weather solutions for government operations in the years ahead!