The Value of Custom Weather Vanes

Custom weather vanes help to give a personal touch to the landscape of any building. Custom weather vanes have become very popular because of the wide range of designs available as well as the number of designers who are willing to provide customized weather vanes to customers.

Customized weather vanes can represent the personality of the owner. They can also be engraved with company's logos or names for corporate buildings. Apart from the decorative element, they can also be designed to suit the exact landscape of the building. Customized weather vanes are also a big hit with collectors since they offer more variety. The mounts are also designed specifically as roof mounts, garden mounts, or flat mounts. These days, there are craftsman who are ready to design any kind of a weather vane according to the customer's requirements. Ordering a customized weather vane has become very easy since it can be done online through specialized web sites.

Custom weather vanes enable personal expression. It can be a family emblem or crest, a sports theme, a family pet, a unique design, or just something funky to look at. They are made in different shapes ranging from simple arrows to shapes of animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or a combination of some of these. Weather vanes are available in several designs spanning: roosters, ospreys, eagles, attack eagles, ascending geese, landing ducks, feathered geese, blue herons, and many more.

Customized weather vanes can be selected on the basis of the material used, the size, and most importantly, the shape. Most weather vanes are made of bronze, copper or some other durable metals. Designers sometimes also use gold or platinum plating, copper dyes, paintings, glass work or the Verdigris finishes on custom weather vanes. Custom weather vanes can also be full-bodied, which involves careful crafting from copper sheets by hand. They are designed through the traditional techniques and processes. Hand made weather vanes are considered to be works of art and are sometimes sold for thousands of dollars.

Very large weather vanes can also be custom-designed. They range from 35 inches to 55 inches or they can be even larger. They are more directional and have 4" and 6" spacer balls. Very large weather vanes can withstand strong winds and extreme weather conditions. Hence they are very suitable for large buildings or big open spaces.

Weathervanes provides detailed information on weather vanes, including copper, wrought iron, and antique weather vanes, as well as rooster, white horse, blue heron, and custom weather vanes. Weathervanes is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Tools and Devices Used to Forecast Weather

Are you one of those people who enjoy watching the weather and trying to tell what the conditions are going to be like? If you are then there is a lot in store for you. The latest weather forecasting devices that are available in the market today will certainly make predicting the weather an extremely interesting activity for you.
There are some individuals who like to watch the weather channel in order to know what weather to expect throughout the week. But some like to predict the weather themselves and love tracking storms or knowing about weather patterns.

There are a few tools which are must haves when it comes to predicting the weather. The most common tools are barometers which are used to measure air pressure, thermometers used to check temperature, hygrometers to measure humidity, anemometers to record wind speed and rain gauges to check the amount rainfall in a particular area. Weather maps are also important tools used for predicting the weather.
Weather enthusiasts nowadays do not use these tools separately, but get weather forecasting instruments that have all these tools put together. This is called a weather station. If you are just interested in knowing the future weather conditions, then you can get an electronic weather forecaster. But if you are more interested in knowing weather patterns and finding out stuff by yourself, there are a number of different electronic home weather stations available in the market that will help predict weather accurately.

These electronic home weather stations can vary in price depending on what they have to offer. The prices for a home weather station start at $80 and can go up to $4000. The more equipped and costlier wireless electronic weather stations use highly accurate sensors that are placed in areas surrounding the main unit. These sensors record things like indoor and outdoor temperature, wind speed, air pressure, humidity, altitude density and other readings used to forecast weather. The sensors transmit these reading to the main unit via radio waves. The main unit has a microchip which translates the acquired data and a digital display to show the readings.

The market today offers a large variety of electronic instruments to get you started in the field of meteorology or to help you become one of those weather aficionados. By just paying a few dollars, you can get a weather forecaster and predict the weather from your home or office.

Using an electronic weather station [http://www.weatheranchor.com/Electronic-Weather-Station-c3.html] gives you the same quality info that meteorologists use. It is a perfect addition for the family that's on the go. Visit our website for more information.

The Weather-Wise Homeowner - The 3 Things Every Parent & Homeowner Must Know About Severe Weather

Countless incidents in the recent past have once-again proven that weather can be deadly-serious. From the cold spells and blizzards of this winter to the tragic storms that rolled through Tornado Alley in recent years, most people are woefully underprepared for Severe Weather events.
As a parent and/or homeowner, you are responsible for protecting your most valuable assets: your family and property. There's no doubt that predicting the weather plays a vital role in achieving that - and that means more than just checking weather web sites and watching the local forecast.
The good news is that a little bit of specific weather knowledge can go a long way when it comes to your safety. And the insights I am about to discuss will move you a good distance down the path of becoming a more Weather-Ready and Weather-Wise individual.
1. Know Your Geography

Weather is largely determined by where you live. Awareness of your geography is the first and most important step in understanding what kinds of weather threats to expect, and when to expect them. For example, if you live in Tornado Alley, you can expect a higher frequency of turbulent weather like tornadic storms, dangerous lightning, flash flooding, and more. And if you live in the west, you may be prone to extreme heat and forest fire outbreaks. But no matter where you are on the map, you must take time to understand the threatening weather that's prone to your area. In addition to the types of weather, you must also consider when they will occur. Some regions, such the Midwest and Southern Plains, are subject to weather threats year-round, but the most severe weather occurs during the spring months.

A good weather software package should be able to monitor all kinds of weather threats, regardless of geography.
2. Know Your Weather Situation
It's easy to become overloaded with the daily barrage of weather reports. So what really matters when it comes to staying safe? First there's the "Convective Outlook", which is a weather report issued by the Storm Prediction Center and predicts severe weather in your area over a period out to 8 days. This is a great primary resource to consult, especially during the peak severe weather season. The Convective Outlook is issued multiple times per day, and can be accessed on the Storm Prediction Center's website: http://www.spc.noaa.gov. Next, pay attention to any issued Warnings, Watches, and Advisories by your local Weather Service office. A listing of local weather offices can be found here: http://www.weather.gov/organization.php.

Knowing the difference between Warnings, Watches, and Advisories can be the difference between life and death - so here's a recap: - Warnings: Issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. The current weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action immediately. - Watches: Used when the risk of a hazardous weather has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so - Advisories: Issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are usually for less serious conditions than warnings, like high wind and blowing snow.

And finally, don't underestimate the power of reading the sky. Pay attention to cloud formations, wind shifts, humidity in the air, and other weather qualities you can use your senses to measure. Any easy one is observing if there's low and dark cloud formation, which is of course indicative of rain, and possibly stormy weather.
3. Have a Plan and Know When To Take Action
It's dark and cloudy. The winds are howling and the thunder won't quit.. Is it time to sound the alarm? How can you know? In moments like these, every bit of weather intelligence matters. Any option can give you the edge is worth taking.
Many online resources exist to provide basic weather tracking. But one approach favored by serious weather trackers is monitoring storms with street-level resolution that advanced weather software packages can provide.
Now that you know it's time to take action, what is your plan? Do you just need to get indoors or do you need to find a tornado shelter? Don't wait until an emergency is in progress to determine your plan of action. The time to start planning is today.
As you can see, preparing your home for threatening weather takes a bit of technology, instinct, and planning. Remember, staying safe is all about knowing your geography, knowing your weather situation, and knowing when to take action. If you can learn the simple tips and tricks behind each of these, then you can be sure to keep your family safe and property protected.

Rory Groves is founder & CEO of SWIFT Weather, a software firm dedicated to protecting communities and saving lives from severe weather. Weather Defender 1.1 is GIS-enabled weather software that provides real-time weather conditions with street-level accuracy. To find out more and download your free demo today, visit: http://www.weatherdefender.com.

Weather Instruments For the Amateur Weather Buff

I could talk all day about weather. Weather is one of my favorite subjects and I learned about it growing up and later over the Internet. Yea, I bought a few books about it too. It's one of those things that, as you grow older and get into a career, you wish you had done it instead of your current career. I wish I had become a meteorologist but I've done the next best thing. I have my own home weather station that I forecast my local weather with.

What's really fun is when I can look at my weather equipment and get the same results as the guys on TV and they have the National Weather Service (NWS) to get their information from. My neighbors all come to me when they have questions about the weather and what to expect the next day or so. If they're going out of town, they call me to find out what I think about the weather in a city 400 miles away. I usually just tell them to look at the weather map for that information because I can only predict what the weather is going to do here in my town.

You know what? You could do the same thing. It's a lot of fun and it's comforting knowing that the weather is going to change without having to run to the TV or wait until the news comes on to get my weathercast information. In order to start forecasting and learning about your own weather, all you've got to have are some simple weather instruments like an indoor outdoor thermometer, a barometer, a rain gauge, a windvane and an anemometer. There are a few other tools that you'll pick up and learn about as you get more into it but for now that's about all you need. Oh, yea, and access to either NOAA or NWS weather maps on your computer.

The thermometer gives you the surrounding temperature. We've all grown up with some type of weather thermometer all our lives. The barometer provides a measurement of the atmospheric pressure which tells you when the weather's changing or likely to change very soon. The rain gauge just catches the rain, when it falls, and tells you how much fell over your area. The windvane and anemometer are two instruments that tell you which direction the wind's coming from and how fast it's blowing. There are a few other instruments that you can pick up if you want, like a hygrometer or a psychrometer. Both of them measure the relative humidity, something you'll want to know later. You can get all these components one at a time or you can do like I did and simply buy a home weather station that has all this stuff already in it and it comes in one box. You unpack it, take the different sensors and instruments outside and install them, put in some batteries because it's wireless and go inside and set up the software on your computer. It took me about an hour to do the entire thing. Now, I'm the neighborhood meteorologist.

There are thousands of amateur meteorologists all over the world and all exchange information and keep weather records for their communities. Though most are not formally educated in meteorology, the point is, they love it and have a lot of interest in watching the weather.

If you happen to be looking for some good wireless home weather stations at a good price let me make a few recommendations here. Keep in mind that the prices go from low to high and the big difference is the grade of technological advances used in the instruments. Most lower priced stations will work very well, especially if you're just beginning to become a weather bug.

For the higher priced models look at the Davis Instruments 6152 Wireless Vantage Pro2 with Standard Radiation Shield. A great piece of technology and can be had for around $750. Another much respected and highly recommended high end weather station is the Davis Instruments 6153 Vantage Pro2 with 24-Hour Fan Aspirated Radiation Shield.

For the really good weather stations that are not priced quite so high, consider the P3 INTERNATIONAL METRIC Wireless Professional Weather Station or the La Crosse WA-1340 Weather Direct TALKING Wireless Weather Station. Oregon Scientific also makes some great home weather stations as does Honeywell.

Whatever your choice, you will not believe how much fun it can be to watch the weather and predict the next big storm before the guys on TV.

Seven Common Questions About Home Weather Stations (And Their Answers)

Have you ever started a conversation with a comment about the weather?
Has an unexpected weather change created havoc in your garden, pond or aviary, or even damaged your home?
Have you ever noticed that the weather you experienced during your day was different to that reported by your nearest official weather station?
Have you ever left home wearing clothing that was too warm or cool for the day's weather?
Or would you just like to know a little more about your local weather than you can find out from TV or the internet?
A "yes" answer to any of those questions suggests that you could benefit from owning your own home weather station.
Now is a great time to get a weather station of your own. Recent improvements mean they have never before been so powerful, so easy to use and install, or so well priced.
I'm sure you'd like to know more, so here are some answers to the seven most commonly asked questions about home weather stations:
1. What is a Home Weather Station?
A modern home weather station consists of one or more sensors which collect data on temperature, humidity, air pressure, rainfall, and wind direction and speed from around your home. This information is transferred to a receiver/display console located in the comfort of your home, and updated frequently. The cost and usefulness rises with the number of sensors used.
2. A friend had a weather station and there were cables everywhere. Why would I want that?
No problems there. Older home weather stations sent data along thin cables, but you will have no difficulty in finding suitable units which use radio to transmit the weather information, over effective ranges of 330 feet or more. No wires, no holes in the roof or wall.
3. How difficult are they to set up?
With a little preplanning, it takes little time or effort to get a home weather station up and running. Once you have chosen the positions for the sensors and receiver, and checked that they are in contact with each other, all you need is some very basic ability with a drill and screwdriver.
4. How reliable are home weather stations, and what do they cost?
Home weather stations vary from a simple temperature recorder to multi sensor arrays. Costs start from less than US$30 for the simplest models with a single sensor, up to around $5-600 for a quality home weather center. More specialized units, designed more for commercial and agricultural uses, run up to $3,000. As in most things, you get what you pay for, and you can expect a $500 model to be stronger and more reliable than something from the lower end of the price range.
Nevertheless, with a little bit of preparation and maintenance, you can expect the cheaper models to give good consistent service.
Much more information can be found at www.home-weather-stations-guide.com
5. Will I just see raw weather data, or can I expect more?
You can expect a lot more. Most weather stations offer a range of calculated functions such as relative humidity, dewpoint, heat index and wind chill factor, depending on which sensors are used. Many have a basic forecasting ability, correct about three times out of four. Many include alarm functions which can be preset at critical high or low temperatures, high wind speeds etc. Almost all show the time, and many of the simpler ones can double as an alarm clock - imagine being woken in the morning with the console showing both the time and the outside temperature.
6. Can I connect my weather station to my computer?
In most cases, yes. In fact many of the better weather stations include software allowing easy connection. A wide range of commercial weather software is compatible with most weather station models.
Take it a step further and you can even link your weather station with automatic heating and watering systems (and much more). Imagine the savings in water use if your irrigation system was controlled by something a little smarter than a timer.
7. What other uses could a home weather station have?
I've mentioned a number of uses in the answers above, but a home weather station can help out anywhere that wind, rainfall or temperature data is useful. Most stations will handle several temperature sensors - you could check soil temperature to help guide you with spring or fall plantings, pool temperatures, or even temperatures in a baby's nursery inside your home.
Or you could run a very simple system monitoring temperatures in an outdoor aviary or greenhouse.
On a different track, you can upload your data to a web page - many people do - or contribute to the overall USA weather picture by sending your information to CWOP (Citizen Weather Observer Program)
There are so many ways to benefit from a home weather station. But to my mind, I've left the best to last.
By observing the weather around your home, you are opening up a much wider field - the enjoyment of the natural world.
As you see patterns develop in the information you have collected, you'll start to appreciate the weather maps, weather warnings, satellite images, radar and forecasts more. You'll find yourself watching the clouds, and how they change with variations in air pressure or wind direction, and you may even improve on the official forecasts.
And overall you'll find yourself paying more attention to the world outside - not just the sky, wind and clouds but all other aspects of the natural world.
So if you can see a need for a home weather station, go ahead and get one that suits you - you'll find a link to a helpful website just below the end of this article. But don't be surprised if your horizons expand well beyond your own backyard.

Copyright ©2005, Graham McClung. A retired geologist, Graham McClung has had a lifelong interest in the outdoors. And where there's outdoors there's weather. He is the editor of http://www.home-weather-stations-guide.com where you can find more information, reviews and independent advice to help you choose and use your own home weather station. You can contact him by email at information@home-weather-stations-guide.com

Handling Weather Emergencies: Part 1 - Forward Planning Makes The Difference

Introduction
At some time in our lives, many of us will face an emergency. Most will involve personal illness or injury, but severe weather, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and heat waves, is a very common threat.
Severe weather and its after effects, such as flooding, results in numerous deaths and injuries every year, together with major property damage and loss.
But we are not entirely powerless in the face of these disasters - a little time and effort now will significantly reduce the risks of death, injury and property damage. It will also help you recover much faster.
Planning for emergencies is complex subject, too big for a single article.
Part 1 covers identification of the threats to you and your family, how to make sure your safety is protected, and making sure everyone knows what to do, even if you are separated.
The second part considers those precious few hours before the the weather becomes really threatening. Preparation is crucial to make sure your family is safe, and your home and belongings are as secure as possible.
Advance Planning - It's A Drag But It Pays Off
One of the hardest things about preparing for emergencies is finding the time.
But if you live in North America, your weather is arguably the wildest on the planet. Your chances of being threatened by severe weather are very real.
So at some stage (soon!) why not set aside an hour or so to do a little groundwork and prepare for when things get nasty.
Involve your family - the more heads the better, and it is possible that one of you may be incapacitated in a serious emergency.
Four big questions need to be answered before you can regard yourself as reasonably well prepared.

1. What are the threats, and how can you minimize them?
2. If you have to leave in a hurry, where will you go and how will you get there?
3. How will the family get together or keep in contact if they are scattered between hone, work and school?
4. What can you do now to help you handle the emergency competently, and then return to normal life quickly?

What Are The Biggest Risks?This sounds pretty easy, because you know where you live, and what sort of weather to expect as the seasons change.
But when you get down to it, severe weather is often just normal weather become stronger, or bigger, or longer lasting.
When considering your home, a great shortcut is to contact your local emergency management office or the Red Cross to see what information they have on your area. You should be able to find FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) hazard maps and other relevant material to help with your planning.
It's also worth thinking about other places you regularly visit - the beach, the lake, relatives - and even where you go on vacation.
Shelter and Evacuation
Most severe weather emergencies arrive without much warning. You may need to leave your home and move to a safer area.
Early warning and sound planning will reduce the stress of any emergency, and the first step is to be well informed.
And there is no better way than to use the Weather Radio Service provided by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the EAS (Emergency Alert Service).
Advisories of threats and hazards are broadcast over dedicated radio frequencies (to avoid interference from commercial broadcasts) and can be received on specially modified weather radios.
More information on the Weather Radio Service and equipment can be found at http://www.home-weather-stations-guide.com/weather-radio.html
Evacuations can be a matter of choice or they may be mandatory. Becoming familiar with exit routes will reduce much of the stress of having to move out fast.
In some cases, such as tornadoes, you may need to use a nearby shelter. Again prior knowledge of its location and easiest access will be invaluable.
Communication Between Family Members
Emergencies often happen at the most inconvenient times. Your family may be scattered between home, work and school when the weather becomes threatening, and you may remain separated for some time until things return to normal.
Work out in advance what procedures are likely to be followed - does the school have an emergency plan and shelter? How about the work place? It will help if each family member knows what to do, and what others will be doing and where they are likely to be during an emergency.
Prepare wallet sized summaries of locations and phone numbers for each family member, while cell phones should help you to keep in touch.
Long Term Plans
So far everything I've suggested assumes that you will, some day, need to act fast to protect yourself against a developing emergency.
This section covers preparations which should benefit you regardless of whether an emergency arises.
These include

• Checking your house and property insurance. Get the best you can afford, and remember that even if you live on a floodplain you can still get flood insurance. At the same time, make an inventory of your possessions.
• Arrange secure storage of small valuable items and documents, preferably away from your house. Include copies of credit and ID cards.
• Learn first aid and how to administer CPR.
• Make sure you know how to operate a fire extinguisher
• And consider joining one of the volunteer emergency organizations - the better you understand what may happen, the easier it will be to handle it if and when it does
• Make advance arrangements for your pets - possibly a pet carrier for small animals, and safe accommodation for larger animals.

OK. Now you're prepared for the worst, and you have significantly reduced the effects a major emergency will have on you. Part 2 of this article reviews what to do as the weather becomes threatening.

©2005, Graham McClung. This article is adapted from a free special report on weather emergencies. It can be downloaded from http://www.home-weather-stations-guide.com/tyvm.html

While you're there, check out the rest of the site for more information on dangerous and spectacular weather.

Weather Forecast - Why GIS is the Future of Weather Tracking

Consider your options for looking up local weather conditions. Do you use an Internet website? Perhaps you have installed weather software on your desktop? Regardless of the source, you must consider if it was built on a robust, industrial-strength GIS engine. If not, the way you are currently predicting and monitoring weather threats may not be as sophisticated as you think - or as accurate as you need to stay safe.
In recent years, there has been an explosion of activity in the computerized mapping industry, known as Geographic Information Systems (or GIS for short). Advances in Internet-based GIS platforms and the rapid adoption of broadband have allowed countries, states, and cities to start distributing geographic datasets of their territories through their own websites. The availability of geographic data has never been greater.
That's why the integration of weather software and GIS is a natural fit. In fact, many government and private weather agencies have been harnessing these advances to provide more accurate, more timely weather information to their customers by distributing weather data in standardized GIS formats.
When it comes to weather tracking, here are some of the advantages of using GIS-enabled weather software:
1. Accuracy in weather prediction and monitoring
With high resolution mapping software, accuracy is automatically increased. Knowing precisely where the weather threats are in relation to your location is a must when you are responsible for the safety of people or property.
2. Integration with standardized GIS formats
Millions of datasets comprising petabytes of data already exist in the form of standardized GIS formats like ESRI Shapefiles, Digital Elevation Models, GeoTIFF, and Geographic Markup Language. A modern-day GIS engine would support all of these formats giving you the flexibility to combine basemaps and foreground layers with weather data.
3. Repurposing weather conditions for specific uses
Anyone who is serious about weather tracking needs the ability to customize how weather data is rendered. GIS applications usually contain sophisticated rendering engines for customizing the appearance of data - the shapes, colors, labels, and transparency of each layer.
4. Collision-detection and alerting
Another important reason why GIS software makes the most effective weather monitoring solution is its built-in ability to detect collisions (intersections) between various shapes and layers inside a dataset. For weather software, the benefit is clear: detect weather threats immediately at precise locations before they reach you.
The next time severe weather approaches, instead of a time-delayed, low-resolution weather website, consider the advances in GIS technology and what hyper-local, hyper-current weather tracking could mean for you.

Rory Groves is founder & CEO of SWIFT Weather, a software firm dedicated to protecting communities and saving lives from severe weather. Weather Defender 1.1 is GIS-enabled weather software that provides real-time weather conditions with street-level accuracy. To find out more and download your free demo today, visit: => http://www.weatherdefender.com