Columbia Weather Systems

Thinking ahead to New Year Resolutions, Columbia Weather Systems is in the process of implementing the first phase of our cloud-based Weather Server, available with any of our weather stations through the Weather MicroServer device. Current weather data can be automatically uploaded from the weather station to the cloud Weather Server on a 5 second interval. Customers will be able to view the real-time Display Screen using a browser from anywhere on the Internet. WeatherMaster software will be able to connect to the cloud to monitor and store the data from a remote weather station. The Weather Server is a solution for customers that are unable to upload data (via FTP) to their website or implement port forwarding for the MicroServer in order to access it directly from outside the network. Both of these options are often not available due to limited access to corporate websites and increased security restrictions. The Weather Server will offer an automatic way to view the weathe...

It’s always great to hear from long-time customers like Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve . A recent exchange included the following comments and provided us with updated information on their application. “We have LOVED and depended on that weather system for many, many years and I am grateful to have it still gathering data for us on a daily basis. Not only does Frank Opila rely on the our weather station for his water quality monitoring work, my program staff as well as my key researchers use the data as well.” ~Lori Prince, Outdoor Recreation Manager Click for more on Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve Viewing current weather data via Weather Underground.

Tipping Bucket? Impact? Optical? Doppler radar? How can you know which rain measurement technology is the best for your weather station? Whether you just need to know if it rained and the track is wet, or when the rain began, or whether it is rain or snow, the different technologies each have their advantages. • The Orion Weather Station's impact rain gauge requires no maintenance and is able to detect hail. • Tipping bucket rain gauges are the most widely used in the world. • The Pulsar's Doppler radar precipitation sensor is the fastest responding with resolution of 0.01 mm. Click here for our new tutorial that outlines the pros and cons of each technology. And if you still can't decide, feel free to give us a call!

According to their website, Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) is "proud of its role in managing the water in its jurisdiction and using technology, intelligence and hard work to ensure the best possible balance for man and nature.” As part of this management and use of technology, Orion Weather Stations are located at Jordanelle Dam and Utah Lake Pumping Station with three more soon to be delivered. The weather monitoring systems include the Orion all-in-one sensor unit as well as Weather MicroServers with additional tipping bucket rain gauge and solar radiation sensors. Weather data is used for modeling historical data for future planning, operational decisions, and available to the public for recreation planning. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Responding to customer request, we have added an ambient Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Sensor for use with the Weather MicroServer. This new feature was implemented specifically for an Apple data center via customer Siemens Building Technologies . The CO2 sensor uses an infrared light source to measure ppm-level carbon dioxide. The sensor is configured for analog output.The sensor is installed in a self-aspirating radiation shield to protect it from the effects of solar radiation. The sensor should be installed in a location that represents ambient atmospheric CO2 levels. GO TO WEATHER MICROSERVER, CLICK ON ADDITIONAL SENSORS SEE OTHER DATA CENTERS APPLICATION PAGE

“Being aware of the weather conditions before, during, and after an incident is imperative,” quotes columnist Chuck Sallade in Firefighter Nation. Weather information is critical for: 1. Risk Management – Identify and assess hazardous weather conditions for PPE and resource management from safe approach through potential evacuation 2. Helping predict fire behavior 3. Safe operation of equipment – firefighting and rescue 4. Incident reporting and recording the weather for Fire Cause Determination 5. Plume modeling for smoke and HazMat Vehicle-mounted weather stations are quick to set up and within minutes can be automatically recording data for incident decision-making and reporting, as well as, transmitting data to programs such as CAMEO/ALOHA for plume modeling. “We are now able to receive ‘Live’ accurate weather data to use with the ALOHA Air Plume modeling program,” says Lieutenant Pearson of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. “Having ‘Live’ weather data is vital to our oper...

LA County Sanitation District has purchased seven Orion weather stations since 2011 – mostly Orion 420s – sited at water reclamation facilities. One of our technicians, Kathryn Hammond, was recently in the area and got a tour of the Whittier Narrows facility. Prior to her visit Kathryn had spoken with Albert Mata on an installation follow-up with this report: “Albert installed the system. Loves it. Was easy to install.” Carlos Alfaro, Supervisor of Treatment Plant Operations, gave Kathryn the tour, including the catwalk over the tank. (Whittier Narrows is an open tank wastewater treatment facility.) Kathryn reports that they use primarily wind speed and direction parameters to help manage for odor based on complaints from the neighbors, as well as the possibility of chemical spills. Using an Allen-Bradley PLC system, the systems is monitored with FactoryTalk software. Learn more about Orion 420 Weather Stations with 4-20 mA Signal Interface

If you don't happen to have one of our weather stations handy, you can estimate wind speed and direction with today's honoree. CALM Beaufort 0 - Less than 2 km/h (≈ 1.25 mi/hr) Flag: Flag is at rest. LIGHT AIR Beaufort 1 - 5 km/h (≈ 3 mi/hr) Flag: Flag moves slightly in the wind, the bottom corner of the flag will hang. LIGHT BREEZE Beaufort 2 - 10 km/h (≈ 6 mi/hr) Flag: Flag extends in the wind, the top corner may flap and curl. GENTLE BREEZE Beaufort 3 - 20 km/h (≈ 12 mi/hr) Flag: Waves move across the fabric when the flag is extended in the wind. MODERATE BREEZE Beaufort 4 - 30 km/h (≈ 20 mi/hr) Flag: Flag is in constant motion, flapping quickly in the wind. FRESH BREEZE Beaufort 5 - 40 km/h (≈ 25 mi/hr) Flag: Ripples move quickly across the fabric. STRONG BREEZE Beaufort 6 - 50 km/h (≈ 30 mi/hr) Flag: The flag will “snap” and “pop” as it waves, flaps, and ripples. Damage to the flag will begin to occur. NEAR GALE Beaufort 7 - 60 km/h (≈ 35 mi/hr) Flag: Flag will ...

The Magellan MX™ is a new weather station line from Columbia Weather Systems offering GPS and compass readings, particularly useful for vehicle and mobile applications requiring real-time met data on the go, such as incident command centers and hazmat vehicles. Read more ...

Network security has become increasingly critical for some companies and organizations. Security breaches at private, public, and military organizations have been in the news prompting efforts to secure networks. Some organizations may be reluctant or unable to add our Weather MicroServer to their networks. As one example, we recently received this query from a customer performing due diligence: I am doing some research for CIPv5 on the Orion LX Weather Station (with Weather MicroServer). Are there any ‘system hardening’ techniques that the device has that would prevent any malicious code from being loaded into these systems? Just to clarify we are looking at the CIP standards: CIP007-5 3.1 Deploy method(s) to deter, detect, or prevent malicious code & 3.2 Mitigate the threat of detected malicious code. A new FAQ page offers answers and solutions including a new document outlining network security with the Weather MicroServer as well as suggestions for keeping the weather stati...

Great changes are coming to the Orion – our most popular weather station model . One of the best features has always been the all-in-one sensor head design, however with the limitation of the standard sensors – whether you needed a particular parameter or not, you got them all. Now you can pick and choose just the parameters you need and still have the convenience of the all-in-one sensor configuration. Our new line of Orion weather stations includes the following sensor options: • Orion 531 with impact rain gauge only • Orion 532 (aka Orion LT) with ultrasonic wind direction and speed only • Orion 533 with rainfall, wind direction and speed • Orion 534 with pressure, temperature, humidity • Orion 535 with pressure, temperature, humidity, rainfall • Orion complete with pressure, temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind direction and speed The new family of Orion sensor options

We have integrated a new visibility sensor option into weather stations utilizing the Weather MicroServer. This was accomplished in response to a customer need for solar-powered weather station solution used in monitoring large-scale solar energy facilities. For more information visit: Weather MicroServer page The visibility sensor is mounted on a tripod mast along with the solar radiation sensors, solar power panel, and weatherproof enclosures for the battery and Weather MicroServer. Photo courtesy of Construction Innovations.