Last update: February 7, 1996
Hello fellow weather junkies! Wonder what this book is all about? Check out the table of contents! Here's the update to my book PARTLY SUNNY: The Weather Junkie's Guide to Outsmarting the Weather.
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We got a great e-mail message from Pam Knox, a Wisconsin state climatologist. She commented on our rain gauge advice: "On page 70, you say that the best rain gauges are self-emptying. As a climatologist, I would disagree with you. The reason is that even the best automated gauges can't always keep up with intense rainfall, and having a catchment basin allows you to look back over a storm and see how accurate your hourly measurements really were. Tipping bucket rain gauges are notoriously bad for this, although improved mechanisms are coming out. Another problem is with winter snows, which are almost impossible to measure accurately with an automated rain gauge. If you're really into weather, it would probably be worth it to have both an automated gauge and a standard gauge, which would give you some cross comparison."
I have to agree---I have both an automated gauge and a old-fashioned manual one and have too noticed this problem, especially with snowfall here in Colorado (we don't have much driving rain here). I think the best advice would be to have both and compare records between the two for the best accuracy.
1. On page 167, Alaska should be listed as the country's 49th state. Hawaii is the 50th. 2. The hone number for American WX Observer newspaper in back of book is wrong. The correct number is (815) 544-9811.
Here's a selection of tips from readers of PARTLY SUNNY:
Reader Doug Pringle of Oblong, IL called us to say he likes Data Transmission Network (DTN) system for weather radar, satellite pictures and more. The cost is $64.99 per month. The $295 start-up fee provides you with all the hardware, satellite dish, computer, monitor and stuff you'll need. Even though the pictures were somewhat more rough, he liked the radar better than a competing system from Farm Data. Best of all: DTN updates it's radar pictures every 15 minutes---that's twice as fast as the competition.
WSI has lowered their price of Windows software (mentioned in the book) to $50, says a reader who called in recently. He also recommends George Winterling from WJXT in Jacksonville, FL as one of the best TV weathercasters.
Wendy Reichel in Madison, WI wrote to us with several great suggestions for all weather buffs:
Ken Asher's WX Bureau 313-996-8888, fax 313-663-8888 sells weather equipment from Davis and other equip manuf in our book. Call for catalog or see ad in Weatherwise. Orders: 1-800-WX-BUREAU.
Goodman's Meteorological Services (603) 669-1999 carries a wide variety of weather instruments at "aggressive" prices. Mike Goodman is a meteorologist and offers his expertise to customers. His top recommendation include the WeatherMAX, and the Storm Alert lightening detector for $145. Mike said the Texas Weather Report (reviewed in PARTLY SUNNY) is working on a logger and software for their unit.
Local TV weathercaster Greg McMaster of Traverse City, MI recommends data service from Cyclogensis (call 616-264-6991 to download software). Great data and low prices---$25 per month, with no surcharge for fast modems.
Looking for weather group in New Jersey? Scott Gordon's North New Jersey Weather Observers meets once a month and has over 150 members! Call 908-888-0720 for more info.
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