As a society, we're consumed with the weather. Our personal, business, and economic well being can often depend upon wind and weather conditions. Travel, shopping, and social decisions are often dependent on the weather, and it's a well known fact that most conversations begin and end with comments about wind and weather.



In addition to being an ever present topic of conversation, wind and weather forecasting has become a popular niche hobby. All sorts of attractive and practical weather gadgets are now available, and it's common to see well appointed homes with various weather devices as an integral part of home decor.

Let's take a look at some of today's latest weather and wind gadgets, with a description of what they do. Each of these are applicable for home use and add a fun, practical element to your home decor.

Weather Stations: These desktop weather centers are designed for those who are most interested in optimal conditions in their living area or garden. Weather stations typically display temperature and humidity levels for multiple locations, and 12-24 hour advanced forecasts. Usually, a desktop weather station shows forecasts, at a glance, for rainy, sunny, snowy, cloudy, and partly cloudy.

Wireless Rain Gauges: Designed for the gardener or hobbyist, wireless rain gauges normally have a 100' tracking range and display rainfall history tracking data. Most wireless rain gauges also track current temperature and temperature trends at a glance. In most cases, these handy units can be placed on a desktop or wall mounted.

Our personal favorite is the Wind Resistant and Lighted Umbrella. Being from Chicago, we know about wind, rain, and umbrellas turned inside out. These sturdy umbrellas are designed to withstand winds anything short of a hurricane. Even more practical is their lighted feature ... their shaft is produced from clear acrylic which lights up in the dark automatically, providing a safety element as well as being extremely practical.

Hygrometers: Hygrometers are designed to measure and display every environmental factor imaginable. Recently, hygrometers have trended toward hand held models, designed for outdoors enthusiasts. These units display current conditions in digital format, and trends both past and upcoming.

"Family Friendly" Weather Forecasters: The latest fun weather gadgets are designed for youngsters. Animated weather forecasters show all the relevant wind and weather factors, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and upcoming trends. The unique and fun aspect of an animated weather forecaster is a built in "weather boy" who wears an outfit appropriate for the day's weather. Geared toward children, animated weather forecasters help guide children to dress appropriately for upcoming weather.

The introduction of new and fun weather gadgets has given rise to a popular and growing weather hobby. Further, these practical desktop weather stations are a perfect addition to your home's decor.