April 2012 -- Columbia Weather Systems has launched a new website featuring enhanced customer applications and more detailed product information.

When a visitor is looking at a weather station model, the new format walks them through the decision process for options of sensors, monitoring, communication, mounting and accessories.

Site visitors will have the most current information as the new CMS format enables easy updates.

We would appreciate any feedback. 

March 2012 -- Two ISO second-class compliant solar radiation sensors are now available as options for the Weather MicroServer. This improvement in our product line comes in direct response to customer requests.

The Kipp and Zonen (top) and Hukseflux thermopile-based sensors can be mounted horizontally for global radiation measurement or at plane of array (POA) for PV solar applications. With better performance and stability than our standard radiation sensor, these are specifically well-suited for monitoring solar panel arrays.

The Weather MicroServer offers Internet and Industrial protocols for applications including XML, FTP, Modbus/OPC, and SNMP. Optional sensors include visibility, solar radiation, and temperature (ambient, panel, soil, or water), as well as ultrasonic wind speed and direction.

Feb. 2012 – In the photo at left, the Orion LX Weather Station stands guard atop the Verizon Mobile Command Center.

The trailer supported the Indianapolis Department of Homeland Security during the recent Super Bowl weekend. When not in use, the 51-foot Featherlite trailer resides in Texas.

Thanks to customer David C. of Saab Sensis for spotting the photos in an online article and calling the story to our attention.

Quoting from the article: "Having this trailer allows Verizon to operate in a very adverse environment in the case of disasters," Price said, "as well as in situations where there are limited facilities to provide a base of operations, as in the Super Bowl." Richard Price is Chief Business Continuity Officer for Verizon.

WeatherMaster Software is displayed on all the monitors inside the trailer and the exterior big screen.

Click to read more:

• Super Buzz article: Mobile Command Center Aids Homeland Security
• Orion Weather Station
• Vehicle Mount Weather Stations
• Weather Master Software

Photos courtesy of Verizon and used with permission.

Jan. 2012 – We recently received this photo and comments from Robert at Conestoga-Rovers & Associates:

“Thought you’d like to have this photo of the weather system we recently purchased from you. We had a rare December snow, so I took the opportunity to take this picture. The system has performed flawlessly. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to get data from. I’m very pleased.”

Founded in 1976, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates offers engineering, environmental, construction, and IT services worldwide.

Nice installation using the tie-down kit. Thanks for the photo!

Dec. 2011 – Engineering firm Smith-Root has installed an Orion 420 Weather Station at the Chicago 2A Fish Barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal which feeds the Mississippi River into the Great Lakes. The weather station provides real time measurements of average wind speed, wind gusts, wind direction, air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, rainfall, and solar radiation. Using a Weather MicroServer, data is automatically uploaded to the Weather Underground.

Read more...