Columbia Weather Systems

We are growing and moving!  Effective December 15, our new address is: Columbia Weather Systems 5285 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite C100 Hillsboro OR 97124-6640 All other contact information remains the same. We appreciate your patience as we transition. Annual Closure:  Our facilities will be closed December 25 through January 1. Phone and email messages will be monitored in case of emergency. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and prosperous New Year!

The relatively new field of DCIM (data center infrastructure management) employs weather monitoring to help manage operations, improve efficiency, and plan for the future. GoDaddy, a leader in internet domain sales and web hosting, and Vantage Data Centers both use weather stations from Columbia Weather Systems to accomplish these objectives. Justin Harp, Director of Operations Engineering for Vantage, reports, “In the Data Center industry, accurate monitoring of weather conditions is crucial to operate the facility within ASHRAE specifications, while maintaining low PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness.)” Read more.....

Two sensor options have been added for the Weather MicroServer. 1)  Particle Concentration : A laser optical sensor is used to detect and measure particulate concentrations up to 100 milligrams per cubic meter. The continuous flow optical sensor is combined with purge air to ensure accurate measurements in adverse environments. 2)  UV Radiation : Measures ultraviolet radiation between 250 and 400 nanometers. The measurement includes both UV-A and UV-B radiation to provide a total combined measurement. The Weather MicroServer can be used with any CWS weather station model.

As a global company, it’s not often that we get to meet our customers face-to-face.  Last week we had a visit from Aaron Randall of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue with their HazMat vehicle which boasts a nine-year-old Orion VM™ Weather Station.  This particular truck crew is part of the Oregon Fire Marshal’s HazMat team and is responsible for Western Washington County through to the coast which includes a section of an important pipeline as well as several large manufacturing plants.  Randall reported that the HazMat crew conducts drills and responds to incidents about twice a month, the most recent being a semi-truck fire with fuel spill on Hwy 26 between Hillsboro and Beaverton. For additional information: Vehicle Mount Weather Stations

Introducing the Capricorn FLX™ – the new generation modular weather station from Columbia Weather Systems. Replacing the Capricorn 2000EX model, the “Flex” maintains the modular system of individual sensors with mechanical wind speed and direction. Sensor options include: wind speed and direction temperature (up to four ambient air, soil, and/or water) humidity rain gauge (tipping bucket) solar radiation sensors (up to two) barometric pressure (in Control Module) two general purpose analog channels for additional sensors. The updated control module takes advantage of new technology to minimize power consumption. Its automated output does not require polling. The new model also allows for 4-20 mA signal output for applications that require it. The Capricorn FLX Weather Station is available in fixed-mount, vehicle-mount, and portable configurations. The Flex continues the Capricorn tradition, our flagship brand of reliable weather stations for over 35 years. The new we...

Because each installation and application is different, CWS offers a variety of options for mounting weather station sensors. •The Roof Mount Kit includes hardware and guy wires necessary to mount and stabilize a mast to a rooftop. It can be used with either optional 10-foot fiberglass or steel mast, sold separately. •The Wall Mount Kit includes the hardware to mount a mast to the side of a building. It can be used with the optional 10-foot steel mast, sold separately. •For mounting to an existing mast or tower, the Universal Mount can be used either vertically or horizontally. •Our Tripod Mast can also be used for permanent installations. Regardless of mounting, be sure to consider cable lengths needed for your installation requirements. Each weather station and communication option comes with standard cable lengths. Additional cable lengths may be required. Click for additional information. Universal Mount shown with Pulsar 600 Weather Station sensor.

Nader and Martha representing Columbia Weather at the recent Celebrate Trade Gala, a partnership of the Oregon Consular Corp, the State of Oregon and the City of Portland. Thanks to Peter Pomponi (below right) of Met One, one of our sensor suppliers, which received the Oregon Export Leader Award. Congratulations! We are pleased to partner with world-class leaders in the field.

Effective May 1 product prices will be raised to more accurately reflect increasing costs. Outstanding quotations will be honored through June 30. For product offerings, visit our website: www.columbiaweather.com

DNP3 ethernet communication is available through the Weather MicroServer. Distributed Network Protocol is used primarily in SCADA process automation systems used by electric and water utilities. The Weather MicroServer can be used with any CWS sensor suite. For more information click: DNP3 App Note

Universal Space Network, Inc. (USN) provides ground network services that support telemetry, tracking and control, and data downlink operations for satellites and launch systems. USN uses Orion LX Weather Stations at their operation sites in Hawaii, Alaska, and Australia. “We use the weather station at our satellite tracking stations to monitor wind speed, barometric pressure and precipitation,” says Don Gittle, Ground Systems Manager. “If wind speed is too high, it could affect the tracking performance of our large dish antennas. This helps us protect satellite data. The other parameters help with determining the atmospheric conditions that are useful for correcting very accurate tracking data supplied to our customer.” For more information: Orion Weather Stations Universal Space Network

Columbia Weather Systems has developed interfaces for our weather stations to be used directly with common industrial automation systems such as SCADA, DCS, and PLC systems. These systems are used in industrial manufacturing, as well as government facility and infrastructure operations and maintenance. This new application note describes the options with diagrams. "Industrial Automation: Interfacing CWS Weather Stations to SCADA. DCS, and PLC systems" Access the application note as a webpage Access as PDF for download or printing