Tag Archives: weather stations

Thornton’s other local weather station

The 156th Avenue Weather Station
The 156th Avenue Weather Station provides local weather conditions. Click the image for a larger view.

ThorntonWeather.com is billed as Thornton’s only truly local source for weather news, forecasts and information.  One resident however pointed out a neighboring weather station that while more primitive, provides an alternative look at the weather.

The 156th Avenue Weather Station is located just off of 156th Ave and Colorado Boulevard in unincorporated Adams County surrounded by the City of Thornton.  The station is provided by “Mr. Schafer” according to the accompanying sign.

Analog instruments for the time, wind and temperature provide the basics while a hanging rock gives more detailed weather conditions.  Residents can easily determine the current weather by glancing at the rock.

  • If the Rock is Wet…….Raining
  • If the Rock is Warm……Sunny
  • If the Rock is Cold……Overcast
  • If the Rock is White…..Snowing
  • If the Rock is Swinging…..Windy
  • If the Rock is Bouncing…..Earthquake
  • If the Rock is Gone…….Weather Station Closed

We’re glad to see the 156th Avenue Weather Station join the local weather scene.  Next time you want to know the current weather, you have an alternative to ThorntonWeather.com. 😉

Hat tip to Thornton resident Dana West for letting us know about the 156th Avenue weather station!

Denver gets new National Weather Service weather station near downtown

Denver now as an official weather monitoring station closer to downtown but some say this doesnt solve the problem of the citys climate records being altered. (Examiner.com)
Denver now as an official weather monitoring station closer to downtown but some say this doesn't solve the problem of the city's climate records being altered. (Examiner.com)

It only took 14 years but Denver finally has an official monitoring station near downtown again. The new station amongst the greens of City Park Golf Course finally gives residents of Denver a place to see what the weather is doing closer to home.

With the opening of Denver International Airport in 1995, the National Weather Service moved its station to the new airport. That distance of 12 miles from the old Stapleton facility to DIA confounded citizens, television meteorologists and weather enthusiasts as they all noted that no one lives out at the airport and the conditions reported there do not reflect what is happening closer to town.

Recognizing the problem, a public-private partnership came together to do what they could to rectify the problem. The City and County of Denver, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the National Weather Service and NOAA, 7News Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson and Colorado State Climatologist Nolan Doesken identified a site for the new station.

Eclar Fence and Mercury Electric donated the infrastructure for the new site. Weather equipment manufacturer Vaisala donated the weather monitoring hardware and services, estimated at up to $60,000.

Certainly there is little doubt the new station will provide area residents the ability to view conditions closer to where they actually live. The new station will not however address the very real problem of Denver’s climate records having been altered since the move to DIA. The National Weather Service has said the official records for Denver will still come out of DIA and as such many believe those records come with an asterisk.

There's more to this story on the Denver Weather Examiner's site!Why is there still a problem with Denver’s climate records?  What does the new station look like?  Check out the complete story including photos of the station, an interactive map and more on Examiner.com.

Weather gifts for the weather geek in your life

ThorntonWeather.com has some great ideas for Santa Claus for the weather enthusiasts he may be bringing gifts to.
ThorntonWeather.com has some great ideas for Santa Claus for the weather enthusiasts he may be bringing gifts to.

Is there someone on your shopping list that looks out at a blizzard with glee on his or her face?  Someone who jumps and runs to the window at hearing thunder or seeing the flash of lightning?  Maybe a person for whom the weather warning beep on the TV or radio is music to their ears?  Well then this posting is for you.  Here are some great gift ideas for the weather geek on your list.  If you have any questions about any of these, leave a comment and we will answer them.  Also be sure to check out our list of great places to shop for weather gifts.

Books – There are books about every type of weather condition out there.  We recently wrote about some of our top picks for weather related books for grownups and adults.  Click here for some specific ideas

  • Cost:  $10.00 and up
  • Where to buy:  Amazon.com

Storm Chasing and Weather Clothing – Any proud weather geek will be happy to not only tell someone about their hobby but also to wear it!  Shirts and clothing with tornadoes, hurricanes or even ones that proclaim the wearer as a “Weather Geek” or “Weather Diva” are a big hit.  Kids love the stuff too.

Weather Radios – You don’t have to be a weather enthusiast to appreciate or need a weather radio – these are great gifts for anyone.  These radios are relatively inexpensive and allow you to listen to and monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) system. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, and forecasts as well as other hazard information like earthquakes, avalanches, chemical spills, and even AMBER alerts.  Be sure to get one with SAME coding so it automatically turns on when something is happening in your area.

Emergency Kits – Most folks interested in severe weather are also quite likely a bit survivalist by nature.  They know the dangers that the weather presents and want to be prepared for it.  An emergency kit for the house or car are not only practical but potentially life saving. 

GPS Systems – Handheld GPS systems like those from Garmin and Magellan are a must have for any storm chaser.  Models can be had for less than $100 for a basic unit to $600 for ones with 3D mapping capability.  Spend the extra money to get one with at least basic, non-3D mapping capability. 

  • Cost:  $100 and up.  Look to spend between $200 and $300 to get a good one with mapping. 
  • Where to buy:  NewEgg or GPS City

Binoculars – Low tech but effective.  You don’t want to get too close to the action and binoculars are a great way to see things from a distance.  You’ll want to look for ones that allow plenty of light in but also aren’t so big the user can’t make a run for it if needed.

Personal Weather Stations (PWS) – Amateur meteorology is a surprisingly popular hobby as you will learn if you take a look.  A basic $50 station will provide outdoor temperature and humidity.  Stepping up a notch to one for around $200 will get you all that plus wind and the ability to hook it up to a computer to archive statistics and create your own weather website like ThorntonWeather.com.  $450+ gets a Davis Instruments weather station which is considered about the best an amateur can buy.

Digital Cameras and Camcorders – Pictures and video help to capture the weather conditions as they happen and make for lasting memories.  With either of them, ones with powerful zoom lenses are a must in order to capture far away action (you don’t want to get too close to a tornado!).  Don’t skimp on quality.

  • Cost:  $400+ for a good one.
  • Where to buy:  NewEgg or Amazon

Storm Chasing Vacation – For a weather geek, what could be better than spending a week on the Great Plains hunting down hail storms, supercell thunderstorms and of course tornadoes!  Storm chasing as a hobby is growing by leaps and bounds and there are many tour operators that seek to fulfill the dreams of those that want to see extreme weather. This is the ultimate gift!  Are you listening to me, Santa?

For more info: Do you have any questions about specific items your weather enthusiast might want or questions about any of the above ideas?  Post a comment and we’ll do our best to answer!