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New Capricorn FLX configuration
We’ve upgraded the Capricorn FLX Weather Station with a new standard high-performance wind sensor. One of the most popular wind sensors on the market, it is rugged, reliable, and ready for extreme conditions.
Built to measure wind speeds up to 175 mph, this proven sensor features corrosion-resistant, UV-stable materials and a lightweight, durable design.
Looking for a modular professional weather station you can tailor to your needs? The Cap FLX lets you customize your setup with a full range of sensor options.
Martha and Renée
Great to connect in person! Martha Khoury met up to discuss collaboration opportunities with Renée Soriano from AristaTek - PEAC Software Solutions, in town for an Oregon State Fire Marshal HazMat training.
CWS weather stations integrate with PEAC HazMat software, delivering the real-time meteorological data essential for plume modeling—standard equipment for OSFM HazMat teams.
Orion Weather Station installed at an oil and gas plant in Saudi Arabia.
When safety and precision matter, reliable real-time weather makes all the difference. Amanco Project Engineer Abdul Kadar wrote:
“We are proud to announce the successful installation of our weather monitoring system, manufactured by Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. at a major oil and gas field project in Saudi Arabia! Our advanced weather monitoring technology provides real-time data, enabling informed decision-making and ensuring the safety of personnel and operations.”
The Orion Weather Station integrates with a mass alarm system at the plant. Amanco’s website explains its importance: “The oil/gas industry can pose physical and operational risks. Equipment may fail, environmental conditions can change rapidly . . . the ability to quickly communicate critical information can be the difference between safety and catastrophe.”
Natural disasters like floods or storms, fires or explosions, and hazardous gas leaks are listed as situations where the alarm system would be triggered.
“The goal is simple yet vital: ensure that every employee, contractor, or visitor receives the right information at the right time.”
Abdul added that the Orion is “the perfect solution.”
(Photo courtesy of Abdul Kadar)
A Pulsar Weather Station installed on the roof of a maintenance building.
Heavy summer rains combined with warm, sunny days create ideal conditions for cyanotoxin blooms on Lake Waukewan, the primary drinking water source for thousands of Meredith, NH residents.
To address this challenge, the Town of Meredith partnered with FB Environmental to develop a thorough Cyanobacteria Monitoring and Response Plan which included a Pulsar 700 Weather Station.
To address this challenge, the Town of Meredith partnered with FB Environmental to develop a thorough Cyanobacteria Monitoring and Response Plan which included a Pulsar 700 Weather Station.
Read the new application story at the link below:
NASA intentionally ruptured pressurized tanks to study how they fragment under stress. These controlled tests, which included monitoring environmental conditions with Orion Weather Stations, will help ensure safety during space missions.
"The testing Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) Energetic Rupture and International Burst Test Series titled involved tanks with pressurized gas (nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, etc) being shot and their fragments are recorded and studied.
"The lightweight requirement comes at an increased risk of tank rupture due to the materials used in manufacturing . . . To mitigate and analyze this risk, NASA has developed a fragmentation software package to predict fragmentation effects from a COPV rupture event. As with all software simulation packages, real-world data is required to refine the results, making the simulation more representative of the rupture event.
"To obtain accurate weather conditions during each test shot, the test team utilized a dual-meteorology station setup that was mounted to one of the camera towers. The weather stations were Columbia Weather Systems Inc's Orion Weather Stations. Two of these weather stations were mounted to the same camera tower at different heights. One was mounted near the bottom of the tower at around 5 ft above ground level (AGL) and the other was mounted near the top at around 30ft AGL to gather both current weather conditions and also differences in ground level versus tree-top level conditions for each test.
"These weather stations were networked back to a control station in the control room and were recording 1 sample/second data during the entire test series. While each weather station records a large variety of meteorological data, the data that the team was most concerned about for each test temperature, relative humidity, and 3-second-rolling-average wind speed and direction."
We have a new firmware update for our MicroServer customers with the following enhancements.
Improved Security Features
– HTTPS is now supported
– Enhanced authentication
Easy Cloud Weather Server Setup
– Users can now create a Cloud Weather Server account, which makes accessing data and registering weather stations a smoother process.
This update is free for customers who purchased a MicroServer after September 2015.
Contact support@columbiaweather.com for the firmware update and any additional questions.
A broadcast communications vehicle with a Magellan MX600 Weather Station.
Interior of broadcast vehicle showing weather display console.
Helping meteorologists deliver real-time, hyper-local weather coverage, Accelerated Media Technologies Inc. builds custom broadcast vehicles for TV news stations across the U.S.
These high-tech vehicles are equipped with a Magellan MX600™ Weather Station, giving reporters an accurate view of conditions to keep communities safe and informed.
Shown here is a new delivery for ABC WMUR (Manchester, NH), featuring a Magellan MX600 Weather Station with Weather Display.
Photos courtesy of AMT
Concrete Repair Bulletin
Our article "Protecting Outdoor Workers: Using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Measurement" was featured in the latest issue of International Concrete Repair Institute's Concrete Repair Bulletin.
Written by Bethany Villero, it covers the growing risk of heat stress in outdoor workers and the benefits of monitoring WBGT to prevent heat-related illnesses across all industries.
To read it, tap the link below and "flip" to page 14.
Note: This article was originally published in the August 2024 edition of American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)'s Professional Safety Magazine.
A Wing delivery drone demonstration in a YouTube video featuring customer Wing.
An Orion Weather Station can be seen in the background throughout the video.
Spy something familiar in these screenshots?
Look closely, and you might spot an Orion Weather Station in a popular "The Slow Mo Guys" channel YouTube video. It features Wing Aviation, a company on the forefront of drone delivery.
The Orion is our most popular weather station for a reason: it tracks all the common weather measurements in an all-in-one sensor module, has no moving parts, and is easy to set up and operate.
It is always great to see our equipment in action!
Martha and Bethany with the Pacific University student intern team.
Students giving their final presentation at Pacific University.
Kudos to Pacific University students Anna, Ava, Davis, and Juan who presented recommendations and deliverables in their final wrap-up for the "Leadership Through Technology" Summer Internship. Over the summer, this student team met with us weekly to learn about our company and assess current digital media efforts.
They zoned in on our challenge of engaging end-users. While some customers purchase directly from CWS, many sales are handled by purchasing departments and/or third-party resellers. The team helped us systematize customer follow-up and develop our warranty program to connect.
We appreciate the fresh insight and practical tools provided and look forward to implementing them.
We'd also like to thank program advisors Ivette and Frank, as well as Jorge and James from Birdee Media for their expert input.
Fond du Lac County Sheriff staff with their new delivery.
Mobile Command Centers aren't just for responding to incidents or disasters — they also serve as a public safety communication hub during large gatherings like fairs, concerts, and sporting events.
Fond du Lac County Sheriff (WI) debuted their brand-new Mobile Command and Communications Center last month.
The vehicle is built by LDV, Inc. and features a Magellan MX500 Weather Station with WeatherMaster software and two Weather Display Consoles.
Mobile Weather Stations allow for real-time, hyper-local monitoring for situational awareness and informed decision making.
(Photo courtesy of LDV, Inc.)
“Heat stress monitoring is a critical part of ensuring safety compliance . . . That’s why we’ve installed the Columbia Weather Station – Model Orion 536 at our facility. Not just for display — but for keeping our workers safe and doing things the right way.”
Abdul Arbaaz, QHSE Officer at Essential Systems & Services (ESS Middle East), recently shared about recognizing the importance of monitoring on-site environmental conditions to prevent heat stress in outdoor workers. ESS installed eight Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) systems across facilities in Doha, Qatar.
Read the new application story at the link below:
“Your company is by far a top notch best in customer service I’ve ever dealt with and your products are of the highest quality.”
We recently heard from Mike Finn, HDVC Craftsman at Bonneville Power Administration. Back in 2003, Mike installed a Capricorn 2000 Weather Station at a BPA site. More than two decades later, it's still going strong.
“I remember installing this over 20 years ago and have done very little to fix it,” Mike told us. “I still use the same system and will continue to do so.”
For BPA, a major provider of hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest, accurate weather data is critical for tracking environmental conditions that affect transformer performance.
“Our outside equipment has AC units but I need to have data on our transformers both inside and outside of the cabinets," Mike explained. “It is very important to monitor ambient temperature as we have had AC units fail. We use (the weather station) for temperature, wind speed, rainwater, trending etc., which is valuable information.”
It’s our job to help customers like Mike do theirs, with weather monitoring equipment built to last.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has equipped hazmat teams around the state with portable and vehicle-mount weather stations from Columbia Weather for over two decades.
These weather stations integrate with PEAC hazmat software to provide first responders with critical, real-time data to assess and mitigate the effects of toxic chemical leaks.
The Medford Fire Department Hazmat 08 team recently participated in the annual Linde Drill, a collaborative training event for hazmat response.
“This year's drill focused on an ammonia release,” the department stated in their recent post. “As ammonia is widely used across industries and farming, this training was valuable for all the participants who may encounter it in their work.
Drills like this with industry and partner agencies are essential so that we are better prepared for incidents involving hazardous materials when they occur!”
Photos courtesy of Medford Fire Department
We are excited to participate in the Leadership Through Technology Internship program of Pacific University’s College of Business! This 10-week program provides students with valuable, hands-on experience in the “real world” beyond the classroom.
Today we met our team and gave them the tour: Students Davis Dufort, Juan Cervantes, Anna Emerson, and Ava Cook; with program advisors Ivette Heredia, Jorge Rodriguez, and Frank Roth
We look forward to gleaning some valuable insights.
John and CWS President Nader
Delivering customized, field-proven environmental monitoring solutions to our customers relies on supplier relationships built on trust, collaboration, and technical excellence.
It was great to have John Niedfeldt, our Territory Sales Manager from OTT Hydromet, stop by the office recently. "While communication mainly happens over the phone or through email, it's always nice to put a face to the name!" said Office Manager Debbie Taylor.
CWS President Nader Khoury gave John a walkthrough of our facility and showed how we integrate OTT sensors into our systems.
Thanks for the visit, John!
✅ Ready for tactical operations, no matter the weather.
“It’s a Swiss army-knife capable of supporting any mission it encounters”!
This Sprinter Command Center for Jefferson Parish Louisiana is fully loaded with high-tech gear including a Magellan MX600 Weather Station.
A Weather Display console allows the team to monitor current weather data for operations including drone flights and surveillance.
Photos courtesy of Accelerated Media Technologies
From sensor to screen in minutes.
This quick setup video shows how easy it is to deliver real-time weather monitoring to your desktop.
The Interface Module connects power to the sensor head and passes data on to other devices.
The MicroServer is a communication device and data logger that includes a web browser user interface with real-time dashboards, configuration, and data export.
"ReCap" Newsletter from 1990
Our Fall 1990 “ReCap Newsletter highlighted the new RS232C Interface, connecting the Capricorn II Weather Station to a computer or printer for reporting and displaying weather data.
Needless to say, we've expanded our options since then!
Whether a customer requires real-time monitoring via network software, 4-20 mA interface, internet browser, stand-alone display, mobile app, or all the above — we've got them covered.
Proprietary monitoring options are compatible with all CWS weather stations and can be used independently or together for easy data viewing and analysis.
P.S. Shout out to long-time customer NW Natural!
The new Magellan MX560™ Weather Station is ideal for marine environments, featuring IP66 and IP68 environmental protection and a 6-axis compass.
Harsh marine environments can be tough on meteorological sensors. Saltwater corrosion, persistent strong winds, and constant wave movement can produce inaccurate readings and shorten the lifespan of sensitive electronic equipment.
We have expanded our product line to include the Magellan MX560™ Weather Station, built to withstand operations like offshore wind farms, offshore oil, marine buoys, and unmanned surface vessels.
CWS President Nader Khoury comments: “The MX560 is a marine-grade sensor suitable for applications in potentially corrosive settings. With a high environmental protection rating that can even handle temporary submersion, it is a hardened sensor that will survive marine conditions."
Features and benefits:
- – IP66 and IP68 protection
- – 6-axis compass compensates for tilt and provides pitch and roll data
- – Wind speed and direction, temp, humidity, and pressure measurements
- – Integrated GPS and true wind calculation if platform is moving
- – Heated sensor option
- – No moving parts
- – Simple to set up and integrate
CWS Overview Presentation
Our freshly updated presentation of Columbia Weather System's capabilities and overview of our environmental monitoring solutions is now available!
Weather stations from CWS are custom-built to fit the needs of your specific application, plus free technical support whenever you need it.
Nader Khoury with visitors from HuksefluxUSA
We had the pleasure of hosting Mike Madsen and Steve Gunderson from Hukseflux USA, who shared exciting developments in solar radiation measurement technology. Earlier in the week, Cody Breedlow from OTT also stopped by – sorry we missed the photo op!
Both Hukseflux and OTT provide high-quality meteorological sensors that integrate into our weather stations, which are customized to meet user requirements.
At CWS, our “Professional Weather Monitoring” business model allows us to offer a wide range of sensors and to incorporate new technologies as they emerge.
Always great to connect with global industry experts and explore the future of environmental monitoring!
Tornadoes, hailstorms, straight-line winds, thunderstorms, and flash floods can occur unexpectedly in Central Texas' subtropical, subhumid climate. This makes keeping a close eye on weather conditions a top concern for public safety officials.
The City of Cedar Park, TX is prepared for emergencies with their Mobile Command Center. A Pulsar 800™ Weather Station mounted on the vehicle allows decision makers to view current data quickly and easily.
Emergency Management Coordinator John Cummins provided us with some additional insight. Click the link below to read the full application story:
There’s no substitute for immediate, accurate, on-site weather data.
Mobile Weather Stations can be transported to different locations, allowing users to acquire meteorological data in varied or changing environments.
This can be critical for first responders, work crews, or researchers who require accurate, on-site weather information for analysis and decision-making.
Read the new application note:
An Orion Weather Station mounted on the ice bridge of a radio tower in Pittsboro, NC. It is one of a network of five fixed and two portable stations. (Photo courtesy of Steve Newton)
MIND THE GAP: The reality is, relying on publicly available weather data doesn't get you the detailed, hyper-local information you need to make informed decisions. Chatham County Emergency Management in North Carolina recognized this dilemma and implemented a plan to increase weather monitoring coverage.
Emergency Management Director Steve Newton described how:
"Chatham County Emergency Management (Pittsboro, NC) partnered with the county’s Emergency Communications department to install Columbia Weather’s Orion sensors on public safety radio towers to fill gaps in weather information used to inform decision making at the Emergency Operations Center. We installed fixed Orion Weather Monitoring Systems at radio towers in four “corners” of the county (NE, SE, SW, NW) and one centrally at the Emergency Operations Center.
"For incident-specific weather data, we have an Orion Nomad Portable Weather Station as well as a sixth fixed Orion Weather Monitoring System mounted on solar power camera trailers. We can monitor all cameras simultaneously through the cloud, and for the Nomad and weather sensor equipped camera trailer we can also connect directly to the unit using the Weather Master Software."
Purchasing multiple weather stations in one order made their weather monitoring network even more cost-effective, taking advantage of CWS’s quantity discount to provide improved weather monitoring across the region.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is optimally prepared for emergencies with their fleet of Mobile Command vehicles, each outfitted with a Magellan MX500 Weather Station and Display.
Photo courtesy of LDV, Inc.
Inspired by requests from places like Kuwait and Quatar, where both temperatures and development are increasing, CWS is adding Thermal Work Limit (TWL) as a calculated parameter in our monitoring and display options.
TWL is a measurement of heat stress that incorporates more environmental parameters than either Heat Index or Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.
You can monitor TWL with any CWS weather station with the appropriate sensors which are common with most models — temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed — with the addition of a black globe temperature sensor.
Happy Umbrella Day! It might be cold and sunny here in Oregon, but we're still celebrating!
Here is Marketing Director Martha modeling one of our favorite umbrellas from Shed Rain.
Some of the CWS team at our company anniversary dinner.
Each person at CWS plays a critical role in creating the weather stations our customers rely on. Here are some of our team members who work together to give you quality met monitoring equipment tailored to your needs.
Last weekend, we gathered to celebrate another successful year at our company dinner. Ironically, the wife of our remote Software Developer won the multiple-choice company trivia!
Thanks to our wonderful team and customers who make what we do possible.
Special shout out to Nena and Edgar at Orenco Station Grill in Hillsboro, Oregon for the excellent food and service!
U.S. federal agencies, and other organizations purchasing with federal grants, may continue to purchase most CWS weather stations through the GSA Advantage Catalog and eBuy portal.
The GSA program offers streamlined procurement with competitive pre-negotiated pricing. Participants are assured the best offer. As a pre-approved vendor, CWS has met stringent standards and is a trusted supplier for government agencies.
Our contract number has changed, as we recently completed a major 20-year renewal of our Government Services Administration (GSA) contract.
Our first Capricorn model weather station was awarded a GSA contract about 35 years ago, laying the foundation for our current range of advanced weather station models trusted by government agencies today. In 2004 sales manager John Gerrish, a former U.S. Air Force meteorologist, implemented a new contract expanding our weather offerings.
Our GSA offerings also extend to state and local governments utilizing the Disaster Purchasing Program.
Our new contract number is: 47QSMS25D0028
Happy New Year! In 2024, CWS helped critical operations around the world be more prepared, whatever the weather.
We are happy to kick off 2025 by sharing that our GSA contract has been renewed.
We're looking forward to providing trusted weather solutions for government operations in the years ahead!
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