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News Archive 2013

Battery Backup

Battery Backup Option for CWS Weather Stations

Dec. 2013 -- The new battery back-up option provides continuous power to the weather station system in the event of an electrical outage. The 12VDC battery comes in a NEMA enclosure and can power a non-heated Orion LX Weather Station for up to three days. It is available for most weather station configurations.

Part number: 8395-1
Enclosure size: 12" x 10" x 6"
Enclosure: 16 gauge galvanized steel with polyester power finish
Industry Standards: NEMA/EEMAC Type 3R
Battery: 28 AHr Sealed Lead Acid Rechargeable
Power input: 88 - 264VAC
Power output: 12VDC


Solar Weather Station

Solar 2 Weather Station shown with MicroServer in weatherproof enclosure.

For more information: Solar Project Weather Stations

Oct. 2013 -- As noted by our May News brief on Swinerton Renewable Energy, weather monitoring for solar power projects has been a growing market for Columbia Weather Systems over the past few years. With this experience, we have put together three weather station systems to meet various monitoring requirements. All systems feature the Weather MicroServer in a weatherproof enclosure with panel temperature and solar radiation sensor(s).

• Solar 1 Weather Stations add an Orion all-in-one sensor unit with ultrasonic wind direction and speed measurements, a highly-accurate impact rain sensor, capacitive relative humidity, temperature and barometric pressure readings. No moving parts enhances ease of use and durability.

• Solar 2 Weather Stations feature the ease of the Vela all-in-one sensor package with reliable, mechanical wind sensors, temperature and humidity sensors in a radiation shield, and a solid state barometric pressure sensor.

• Solar 3 Weather Stations feature simply the Weather MicroServer with air temperature, panel temperature, and solar radiation sensors directly connected. Additional individual sensors are available.

(Updated October 2015: The Solar 2 Weather Station now features the Capricorn FLX modular weather station sensors with mechanical wind sensors, temperature and humidity sensors in a radiation shield, and a solid state barometric pressure sensor.)


US Ecology

Sept. 2013 -- Columbia Weather Systems offers software and hardware customization for applications whose weather monitoring requirements aren’t met by our standard systems.

US Ecology Idaho is just such a case. The company’s Grand View, Idaho facility treats and disposes hazardous waste, non-hazardous industrial waste and low-activity radioactive material. Their permit requires weather monitoring with one-hour rolling wind speed and direction average. No problem.

“We are pleased with the work CWS has done for us and plan to use them in the future for any weather monitoring needs we may have,” says Grae Harper, Environmental Engineer.

Click For More information: US Ecology Applications Page


Text Weather

June 2013 -- CWS has added a GSM SMS interface to the Weather MicroServer. Weather station users can now text “weather” to their GSM-equipped weather station and receive a text message weather report.

This feature was developed in collaboration with the United Nations. One of their applications is for incoming pilots. The new feature utilizes a Sierra Wireless AirLink GX400 modem, shown below in a weatherproof enclosure.

The Weather MicroServer can be used with any CWS weather station.

GSM Modem

Click for more information on the Weather MicroServer


Solar Monitoring Weather Station

May 2013 -- Swinerton Renewable Energy uses Orion weather stations from Columbia Weather Systems to provide meteorological data to their proprietary SCADA system at solar project sites.

On a recent project, Columbia Weather integrated the newly released Hukseflux SR20 solar sensor. SR20 is a pyranometer of the highest category in the ISO 9060 classification system: secondary standard. This solar radiation sensor is used where the highest measurement accuracy is required.

Click for more information


Universal Mount

April 2013 -- Columbia Weather Systems offers a new universal mounting adapter to install weather sensors on existing towers or alternate masts, even those with multiple instruments. Can be used vertically or horizontally. Aluminum construction. Includes three clamps for mast of up to 3” diameter.

Catalog Number: 88022

Shown at left with Pulsar 600 Weather Station.

Click for Weather Station Mounting Options


Mobile Weather Lab

March 2013 -- The new Pulsar Weather Station from Columbia Weather Systems is a critical component in the latest Mobile Weather Lab by Integrated Microwave Technologies, to be showcased at the NABShow National Association of Broadcasters event in April.

The weather lab includes the Pulsar 600 Weather Station with Doppler radar precipitation, temperature, humidity, pressure, and ultrasonic wind measurements. The new Pulsar line of weather stations offers the ease of an all-in-one sensor module with various meteorological parameters to choose from.

For more information:

New Mobile Weather Lab Page

Pulsar Weather Stations


Weather Master in German

February 2013 -- Weather Master™ Software, for use with any weather station from Columbia Weather Systems, can be translated into almost any language for a small one-time engineering charge. The three main display screens were recently published in German for a Swiss customer.

For more information click to Weather Master Software


Weather Data Display

January 2013 -- Thanks to Gabi Cohen of Sigmatek for sending this photo of the CWS Weather Display mounted in the FAA Emergency Communications Vehicle on display at the Air Traffic Control Association Expo last fall.

An OEM customer, Sigmatek incorporates Orion Weather Stations into their mobile air traffic control towers.

For more information:

Sigmatek Advanced Technologies

Weather Display Console

Orion Weather Stations


George Miller Book

January 2013 -- George Miller's book Lewis and Clark's Northwest Journey "Weather Disagreeable!" appeals to history and weather buffs alike. To kick off the new year, we are hosting a drawing for a free copy.

In the book, Miller examines the journals of Lewis and Clark and other members of the Corps of Discovery for key weather references and equates those entries to the weather patterns we know exist today. As a certified meteorologist, Miller has over 40 years experience with Northwest weather and a research interest in historical weather events.

To enter the drawing, simply "Like" our Facebook page. If you already "Like" Columbia Weather Systems, you can make a comment on the page. The winner will be announced February 1 and notified via Facebook.

Click here to visit Columbia Weather on Facebook


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