Start with representativeness and safety
A station cannot describe every corner of a property. Choose a safe site that best represents the area you want to observe, then record compromises such as nearby trees, roofs, or a sheltered yard. Do not climb roofs or work near power lines unless you are qualified and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
A 15-minute site survey
Map obstructions
Sketch buildings, fences, trees, vents, paved areas, and future growth. Note which direction storms and prevailing winds usually approach from.
Check radio path
Before drilling, power the sensor and console at the proposed location. Test the signal through walls and during wet weather if possible.
Plan service access
You must safely reach the rain collector, solar panel, batteries, and fasteners. A hard-to-reach station tends not to be cleaned.
Document the baseline
Photograph the site, measure mounting height, note compass orientation, and log the installation date. This context explains future changes.
Temperature & humidity
Use shaded, freely moving air over natural ground where practical. Avoid sun-heated walls, dark roofing, paving, dryer vents, air-conditioning exhaust, and irrigation spray.
Integrated stations force compromises; note when wind or rain exposure means temperature is less than ideal.
Rain gauge
Keep the collector level, stable, and clear of roofs, branches, splash, and drip lines. A nearby obstruction can either block rain or shed extra water into the gauge.
Choose an accessible height and clear debris before judging an unusual total.
Wind
Wind needs the most open, safely available exposure. Roof edges, chimneys, and trees create turbulence, so a sheltered backyard record is a local wind record, not a regional one.
Align the direction reference exactly as the manufacturer specifies.
Mount, verify, and re-check
- Assemble and test every sensor at ground level.
- Use hardware rated for the mast and expected weather; secure cables without pinching them.
- Level the rain gauge and orient the wind vane using a compass or verified map bearing.
- Confirm updates at the console, then inspect the mast after the first windy or rainy period.
- Compare broad trends with a trusted nearby observation, while allowing for real microclimate differences.
Continue the weather-station series
Need rainfall context? Compare rainfall units, estimate storage with the water-harvesting guide, or visualize a rainfall rate in the simulator.