Columbia Weather Systems

Northern Arizona University’s Green Fund granted funding for a Pulsar 800 Weather Station and Orion Air Quality Monitoring Complete station for climate research, sustainability measures, and campus safety. The student-led project proposal outlined how an on-campus environmental monitoring station would benefit both the university and the greater Flagstaff community:  “The Campus Environmental Monitoring Station will provide a sophisticated weather station and air quality monitor to Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus. This station itself will collect real time data on weather variables (such as air temperature, precipitation, wind speed, wind direction, solar radiation, lightning detection, humidity, and air pressure) and air quality.  “Microclimate conditions across the city of Flagstaff result in disparate weather, necessitating a campus focused environmental monitoring system. A highly advanced environmental monitoring station, as proposed in this applic...

Recently, an explosion triggered a large fire at a chemical plant in Shepherd, Texas, sending massive plumes of black smoke into the sky. Authorities said flammable liquids, diesel, turpentine, and other toxic chemicals were involved in the fire. Multiple agencies responded including The Woodlands HazMat unit with their Orion Weather Station connected to CERES plume modeling software. Roads were closed and power outages were reported. Local residents were issued a shelter-in-place order being advised to turn off their HVAC, some schools were evacuated, and busses re-routed in San Jacinto and Polk counties. Only one person was reported injured. The Woodlands HazMat vehicle is from Pierce through the Siddons-Martin Emergency Group who provided the above photo. See the following links for additional details: Pierce Manufacturing Vehicle Specs Siddons-Martin Emergency Group Website

Located on the Gulf Coast in the panhandle of Florida, Eglin Air Force Base is often subject to hot and humid weather conditions that can make it dangerous to work outside. Additionally, their radar operations can be subject to atmospheric interference. All these factors intersected when a new radar site was constructed. Wes Mason, Radar Engineer for Reliance Test & Technology* reports, “Eglin AFB built a radar site 300 miles away, in the lightning capitol of the United States. We needed a weather station to measure the local conditions to correct the atmospheric errors. However, this location is too far away for Eglin AFB to provide the weather conditions for personnel safety, so we upgraded to the Columbia Weather Systems Pulsar 800 sensor with the optional Black Globe sensor . The new weather station adds lightning and solar data, so we generate our own lightning and heat stress indications for when it is safe to work outdoors or not.” Although the site is remote, personnel ha...

  Zort Services Technical Advisor Craig McCann took over operations at an existing solar energy site that utilized Solar 1 Orion weather stations . He explains, “The customer already owned several of these weather stations. I purchased additional to create standardized implementation.” The weather data is used to meet ISO requirements for MET data. “I would recommend these products,” Craig adds. He lists some reasons: “High quality. In addition to providing an easy to work with interface, the MicroServer product allows for polling by multiple clients using various protocols. The webserver/webpage function makes setup and commissioning straightforward.” We love hearing how our equipment helps customers. Thanks for sharing, Craig! Learn more about weather stations for solar energy projects here .

Worker health and safety are of prime concern when you manage a facility for the 7,000 people who work at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC). According to its website, “The KCNSC is a LEED Gold, multi-mission facility using the latest technologies and innovations in engineering, manufacturing and sourcing to fulfill our core mission: ensure the safety, security and reliability of our nation’s nuclear deterrent.” The facility is managed by Honeywell , a long-time customer of Columbia Weather Systems. According to their Worker Safety and Health Program, weather monitoring is key in several areas of hazard identification, assessment, and emergency response. One example is firearms training. Footing stability can be impaired by precipitation in any form.  Additionally, heat stress assessment is critical during high temperatures. Action level is based on a temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius, and one or more of the following conditions: direct solar/ra...

  Orion 420 Weather Station a "Perfect fit" when integrating with PLCs When Automation Werx was on the search for ruggedized weather monitoring equipment to interface with their PLC, they chose an Orion 420 weather station from Columbia Weather. Automation Werx is based in Idaho and specializes in automation solutions for a range of industries that include dairy, residential homes, and wastewater treatment. "We came across the Orion Weather Station and saw a perfect fit," commented Owner/Automation & Controls Project Manager Trevor Steffler. "With its capabilities of producing 4-20mA Signals to provide instant weather feedback, we would be able to have our PLC controls react instantly. Simple installation and availability were also key factors." Maintaining optimal operating conditions with weather-based automation "Having weather data allowed us to control dairy building fan intake and exhaust systems based upon outdoor weather considerat...

Solar 3 Weather Stations: A solution tailored to our specific requirements Ceylex Renewables is an individual renewable energy producing company based in Sri Lanka. The company owns and operates a capacity of over 30 MWs in solar, wind, and hydro power plants on this island nation. CWS Solar 3 Weather Stations are installed at two of their solar power plants. Assistant Electrical Engineer, Chalitha Senevirathna reports, “We required your weather monitoring systems for the resource assessment and performance monitoring of our solar PV power plants. Since actual solar irradiation at the plant site was not available, we required a monitoring system to measure the annual irradiation levels and temperature and compare the results with the energy generated from the power plant.” “For our requirement, we reached out to a few companies," Chalitha continued. "However, Columbia Weather Systems is the one who responded to our inquiry promptly and was very supportive and responsive. Fur...

The weather lab at a community event in Vermont We love seeing our equipment in action! Along with reporting weather in Vermont, New Hampshire, and the Adirondacks, the My NBC5 weather team takes the time to visit schools and community events in their First Warning Weather Lab. The vehicle sports a Magellan MX600 mounted on the roof, allowing meteorologists to track real-time wind speed/direction, temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and rainfall with an internal compass and GPS for automatic wind direction alignment. The NBC5 weather team visits schools to give kids a look into life as a broadcast meteorologist and the importance of tracking the weather. Thanks to NBC5 Chief Meteorologist Tyler Jankoski for the fantastic pictures!  Have photos of your CWS weather station application you'd like to share? Email bvillero@columbiaweather.com 📩 A quick video walk-through of the mobile weather lab Additional information on Magellan MX Weather Stations

  “Growing demand for data center computing is becoming a pressing sustainability concern,” quotes this recent article* in HPAC Engineering. Projections cited in the article state that by 2030 information and communications technology (ICT) will account for up to 20% of global energy usage! “While demand is a major factor in energy consumption, higher outdoor temperatures can also play a role.”  While advancements in motors and controls can help mitigate increasing energy consumption, DCIM (data center infrastructure management) can employ real-time weather monitoring to improve operational efficiency, as well as plan for the future.  Peruse our Application Page on Weather Monitoring for Data Centers to see how GoDaddy and Vantage Data Centers utilize CWS Orion Weather Stations to improve their bottom line and reduce their carbon footprint. Here's the link:  https://columbiaweather.com/applications/data-centers/ *Scott, Justin, (2023, July). Cooling Data Centers Is C...

The Westmont, IL fire department has been a loyal customer for over 25 years! Back in 1999, our CWS ReCap Newsletter showcased their Command and Communications vehicle, complete with the (since retired) Capricorn II weather station. In an excerpt from the newsletter, Fire Chief Frank Trout says: "If there is a hazardous materials incident, or a fire, or EMS incident, we send our van to it becomes the mobile communications point. "When we're outside fighting fires or hazmat or whatever it may be, it's good to know wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity . . . Monitoring the weather is not so much a regulation, it's a professional thing to do." Westmont's Command vehicle was complete with the (since retired) Capricorn II weather station. Westmont Fire continues to rely on professional weather equipment for their emergency operations. As weather technology has evolved over the years, they've kept their equipment up to date. Their most recent ...

  🚨 Put your team's safety first. Be alerted to critical weather conditions instantly with the new Cloud Weather Server Alarms feature. Developed for the City of Calgary who needed wind alarms for crew safety, our team came up with a solution that not only meets their requirements, but also allows users to set customizable alarms for any parameter applicable to their weather station. Set upper, lower, or range limits that trigger instant alerts via email or the CWS Weather Monitor App for quick, informed decisions in the field. Visit our website here or give us a call for additional information. 

Are noxious odors a problem at your local wastewater plant? A recent Wastewater Digest article* makes some important points about Odor Control: 🔽 1️⃣. It is a common problem: “At some point, every wastewater treatment plant or water resource recovery facility has been subject to comments, concerns or questions about wastewater odor.” 2️⃣. It is a growing concern: “While treatment plants generally are constructed away from residential areas, communities grow and change. Housing developments close in on the proximity to the treatment plants, which then results in more concerns and complaints about offensive odors.” 3️⃣. It can be a public safety issue: “… odor control can be useful for addressing public safety and the health of a wastewater collection system.” A key component noxious odor prevention and mitigation is weather monitoring. Parameters like temperature, wind speed and direction, as well as humidity and rainfall, all impact. Check out our white paper 5 Reasons Smart Water Uti...

High temperatures cause increased risk to those exposed to strenuous outdoor conditions, including those who work in construction, utility, athletics, and military operations. The CDC reports a U.S. average of 67,512 emergency department visits and 702 heat-related deaths each year . Steps to increase safety includes adherence to recommended guidelines and environmental monitoring. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is an important calculated parameter to monitor for outdoor exposure in high temperature conditions. Developed for the US Coast Guard to help keep workers safe in extreme heat and humid environments, CWS’s Heat Stress System gives decision makers the full picture. It includes: – ​Capricorn FLX Control Module – Black Globe Temp Sensor – Ambient Temp Sensor – Relative Humidity Sensor – Self-Aspirating Radiation Shield for Ambient Temp and RH sensors – Weather Display Console Have questions? We're here to help find an environmental monitoring system that is right for you. Visit o...

🌀 June marks the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and we're throwing it back to our 2005 ReCap newsletter article by our resident meteorologist at the time, John Gerrish. John detailed how hurricanes are formed and tracked. He writes: "Hurricanes are the most dynamic and destructive of all atmospheric storms . . . We cannot stop hurricanes, so we must learn to get out of their way. Advanced warning is the most crucial part of the mitigation process, and learning more about these dynamic forces helps us to better understand and contend with nature’s most devastating storms." The details are just as relevant now as they were then - read the full article here . Preparing for storms ahead of time is key. Click here are some practical Hurricane Preparedness steps from NOAA.

Did you know that our weather monitoring equipment can detect hail? Spring thunderstorms recently rolled through, dropping pea-sized hail that the office Orion Weather Station reported. Pea-sized hail at the office.  The Orion Weather Station can detect hail/hail intensity and the Pulsar 100 model differentiates sleet, freezing rain, and hail. This MicroServer screenshot shows hail data. Have questions? We're here to answer your questions and spec the right equipment for your needs. Give us a call at 503-629-0887 or visit our website columbiaweather.com. Be safe and watch the weather!

Custom WeatherMaster Software shows runway orientation inside the Control Tower. A handful of companies have been customers of Columbia Weather Systems since the very beginning. We’d like to highlight one of those with a recent communication from Kelvin Price of C.W. Price & Company in South Africa: Wow — what a milestone for Columbia Weather Systems of 25 years, but we go beyond that when CWS was still under the Hinds brand name. If memory serves me right, C.W. Price & Company first started working with Hinds somewhere in the mid to late 1980s. Generational Similar to CWS we are now a 3rd generation company started by my grandfather in 1949. C.W. Price initially supplied many Capricorn II units mainly into forestry, small airports, and the general industry. (C.W. Price was also one of the first dealers to be able to repair Capricorn weather stations.) We recently managed our first installation of a Columbia MicroServer system at an International Airport. Kruger Mpumala...

Complete with a Magellan MX500™ Vehicle Mount Weather Station and panel-mount Weather Display, the Pasadena Police department is well equipped for emergency situations with their impressive new mobile command center built by LDV. The Magellan MX all-in-one sensor module incorporates compass and GPS for critical weather monitoring with automatic wind direction alignment and compensated wind speed. Additional features include ultrasonic wind sensors, temperature, barometric pressure and humidity. Alternate sensors include rainfall and solar radiation. For a closer look at the rig, watch LDV’s video walkthrough by tapping here . If you're curious to learn more about the Magellan or any of our other weather station lines, check out our website . Photo courtesy of LDV Inc.

In our latest video, Alex Pulido gives an overview of how the Weather MicroServer works. With the ability to interface to any of our weather station models, this powerful communication device lets you access real-time met data from anywhere in the world. The Weather MicroServer is a data logger and powerful communication device compatible with all of our weather stations. It includes a web browser user interface that allows for configuration and displays the current weather readings. The Main Dashboard displays real-time data for the main meteorological parameters, including a wind direction dial with a 30-second standard deviation.  The Auxiliary Screen shows real-time data for additional sensors if connected such as solar radiation and visibility, as well as calculated parameters.  The Trend Screen shows a graph of one or two selected parameters for the current day.  The Latest Measurements tab displays real-time values of all available parameters. It provides Int...

We're happy to see a Pulsar 600™ Weather Station in action with Zipline, one of our customers, in Mark Rober’s latest video! A popular YouTube personality and former NASA engineer, Mark's viral video highlights how Zipline’s autonomous drone technology delivers critical medical supplies in countries with limited access to resources. The Pulsar 600 weather station measures temperature, relative humidity, precipitation type/intensity, rain, pressure, and wind speed/direction. Pulsar models offer the ease of an all-in-one sensor head with several met parameter configurations to choose from. They are used in operations that require precise weather monitoring, such as satellite communications, broadcast, and transportation. We're proud to provide top-notch technology to support our customers' innovative solutions!   Visit Zipline's Website More About Pulsar Weather Stations

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 In honor of today’s popular hue, here’s a list of  four green things  in the weather world: 1. Northern Lights/Aurora The ethereal displays at the north and south poles are a result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar wind. Green is the most common color we see due to charged particles hitting oxygen atoms in the atmosphere. 2. Stormy green skies Eerily green skies are sometimes witnessed in the vicinity of severe storms. When air becomes charged with electricity (ionized), it can cause refracted light filtered through particles in the air to shift to shorter, more blue wavelengths, resulting in a greenish hue to the sky. (PC: Jaden K. @jkarmill) 3. Green flash This meteorological optical phenomena can occur at sunset and sunrise when conditions are just right. Refracted light through the atmosphere can cause a very brief, green “flash” as the sun rises above and dips below the horizon. (PC: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0) 4. Green ...

Check out this great photo of Kansas City's KSHB 41 Storm Tracker Jeep in action! A Magellan MX600 Weather Station mounted on the roof provides meteorologists with real-time data which is viewed via Weather Display console inside the vehicle. The Magellan MX™ Weather Station line is a popular choice for mobile weather monitoring applications .  Photo Credit: Giovanni G., KSHB 41

We asked the trending AI bot ChatGPT to write a poem about Columbia Weather Systems. Here it is: Not bad at all. Let us know what you think in the comments!

  Whether you’re ready to purchase or are still searching for the right weather monitoring equipment for your needs, we’re here to answer your questions and provide solutions every step of the way. Thank you Joshua for your kind words! Send us an email: ➡️ Sales@columbiaweather.com Give us a call: ➡️ 503-629-0887 Visit our website: ColumbiaWeather.com

We recently received this question: Are CWS weather stations compatible with CERES hazmat software? Yes, they are! In case you were wondering …  CERES is a popular public-safety software application used by hazmat teams to help manage preparation, response, and analysis of chemical incidents, fires, and explosions. All of these scenarios benefit from meteorological data to aid critical decision-making with enhanced situational awareness. “Accurate weather information is essential in any emergency response situation, but it is especially critical when dealing with hazardous material incidents. Integrating local live weather data with plume dispersion modeling and gas detectors can greatly enhance the ability to respond effectively and protect the public from harm,” says Cristian Stochina Streinescu, Founder and Managing Partner of Vlahi Systems , maker of CERES.  Using the Weather MicroServer interface, data from any Columbia Weather Systems weather station can be incorporat...

It’s been a busy and productive past week at Columbia Weather!  On Tuesday, Vaisala 's Product Line Manager Mikko Krapu and R&D Project Manager Hannu Valo all the way from Finland visited the office to discuss the latest developments in meteorological technology. Our remote software development team Brian and Gilbert also met with us last weekend from Idaho and joined us for our 25th Anniversary Dinner. We stay committed to improving and providing high quality weather monitoring equipment to meet the needs of our customers, and we couldn’t do it without a fantastic team of partners who help make it all happen!

If you’re looking for a Weather Station: ☑️ Durable ☑️ Cost-effective ☑️ Modular design …The Capricorn FLX™ Weather Station is your best bet! It’s been put to work by reputable companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin and is also popular in construction, education, and mass transit applications. Have the flexibility of building your own custom sensor package combination with reliable, mechanical wind sensors , up to four temperature sensors, and two solar radiation sensors. Many other sensor options are available as well. Monitor live data with our Weather MicroServer (with free app!), Weather Display Console, and/or WeatherMaster Software. Click here for details about our monitoring options . We’re happy to chat with you if you have any questions! Just give us a call at 503-629-0887 or visit our website for more info.

In 2022, we helped customers from all over the globe find the right weather monitoring equipment for their applications. We know the world is full of choices. Thank you for choosing us. Happy New Year! 🎉