Weather station installation

The site survey

1. Choose a location as far from buildings, trees, pavement as possible.
2. Ideal: at least 10 ft from nearest structure, further is better.
3. Ground should be short grass — not concrete, gravel, or bare soil.
4. Height above ground: 4-6 ft for temperature/humidity, 33 ft for wind.
5. Level ground.
6. Consider the ground below rain gauge — must be level.
7. Access for battery changes.
8. RF range to your indoor console (usually 100-300 ft line of sight).

Mounting the anemometer

• Ideal: 33 ft above ground on dedicated mast.
• Reality for backyard: on top of the roof, 10 ft above roof peak.
• Alternative: 20 ft dedicated pole at edge of yard.
• Wind direction sensor must point true north when installed.
• Use compass or GPS to verify true north (not magnetic).
• Grounding rod at mast base for lightning.
• Guy wires if pole exceeds 15 ft.

Mounting the temperature / humidity sensor

• Must be in a radiation shield (typically included).
• Must NOT be in direct sun.
• Must NOT be near AC condenser, dryer vent, roof heat.
• Should be above short grass.
• 4-6 ft above ground.
• Aspirated radiation shield if you can afford it — cheap plastic shields overheat in sun.
• North-facing side of mounting pole reduces sun exposure.

Mounting the rain gauge

• Level with the ground (use bubble level).
• Minimum 2× height of nearest obstruction from rain gauge base.
• Above short grass, not bare dirt.
• Check quarterly for spider webs, leaves clogging.
• Wipe clean before season starts.
• Heated rain gauge if in freezing climate — otherwise snow won't register until it melts.

Console placement (indoor)

• Direct RF line of sight to outdoor unit.
• Near a window is fine.
• Away from electronics (WiFi, TV) that can interfere.
• Plug in AC power — battery backup only.
• Ethernet connection preferred over WiFi for cloud upload.

Feeding data to services

1. Enable local Wi-Fi upload on your console (most modern stations).
2. Create a free Weather Underground account.
3. Get a station ID (looks like KILDECATER123).
4. Enter station ID and key into console.
5. Also register for CWOP (Citizen Weather Observer Program) — feeds NWS models.
6. Also register for PWSweather.com — commercial network.
7. MADIS ingest is via CWOP.
8. Verify data appears on Weather Underground within 1 hour.

Calibration

• Compare temperature reading with nearest METAR or ASOS station.
• A difference of 2-3°F is normal — you're measuring different air.
• Calibrate barometer against sea-level pressure at nearest ASOS.
• Rain gauge test: pour 1 cup water — verify reading matches expected.
• Anemometer calibration is difficult DIY — trust manufacturer.
• Log calibration adjustments.

Common mistakes

• Roof mount for temperature sensor — always too hot.
• Deck mount for temperature — heat from deck warms shield.
• Rain gauge under tree — captures partial rain.
• Rain gauge on roof — updrafts underestimate rain.
• Anemometer next to house — turbulent wind readings.
• Not leveling rain gauge — 5° off = 5-10% error.
• Not aligning wind vane true north.
• Cheap battery in outdoor sensor — dies mid-winter.
• Not cleaning rain gauge annually.
• Not updating firmware.

Maintenance schedule

Winter considerations

• Batteries last less time in cold — replace before winter.
• Rain gauge freezes — heated gauge or store snowfall separately.
• Ice accretion on anemometer freezes it.
• Ice on solar panel reduces charging.
• Some stations have "winter mode" — enable it.

Learn more

• Home weather station buying guide
• Weather radio buying guide
• Best free weather apps
• NOAA data sources