Unofficial Automatic Weather Stations

franksingleton

franksingleton

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On another thread, http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298351, I said that I would try to compile a web page listing "Unofficial" Automatic stations that are available on the Internet. The idea being that these would supplement those"Official" sites on sites listed at http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Latest-Weather-Actuals-Near-Uk-Waters#internet.

My new page is at http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/Unofficial-Weather-Actuals. I would like to know of any additions, suggestions as to layout or any sites that you think should not be there. You can use PM, posts to this thread or my normal email address as you wish.
 
Hi Frank,

Great set of resources there... but just to highlight one thing about the accuracy of these sites (in relation to the debate on what the wind was doing on 3rd Jan near Dover)...

The Lydd Aero club link from your site currently gives the wind as 9.7 knots (it only goes up to 20 knots max)... but Windfinder gives an actual at Lydd-on-Sea as 37-38 knots :confused:
 
Boomshanka said:
Hi Frank,

Great set of resources there... but just to highlight one thing about the accuracy of these sites (in relation to the debate on what the wind was doing on 3rd Jan near Dover)...

The Lydd Aero club link from your site currently gives the wind as 9.7 knots (it only goes up to 20 knots max)... but Windfinder gives an actual at Lydd-on-Sea as 37-38 knots :confused:
Click to expand...

To my mind, as I think that I indicated, These sites may not be as reliable as "Official" sites. Much depends on the maintenance and quality control procedures - if any.

Not all the sites are right on the coast an that may reduce their value. On the other hand, not all the "Official" sites are right on the coast.

Caveat emptor.

PS Dymchurch looks rather nearer the mark.
 
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Thanks to all for the comments to date

I had seen the Yarmouth. http://www.weather-file.com/yarmouth/graph.htm one before but thought it not too friendly a site. I have added it but would like other opinions.

I have added Freshwater and Brightsone, maybe too close to be useful. Also Gosport.

Can anyone suggest a better ordering - especially for the Solent area and the east coast. I may split the latter into N of the Wash and south of the Wash.
 
The ordering for the east coast could be done in counties - south to north order or vice versa or just in order following the coast and rivers. Counties would be best as who knows where (for example) Ashcroft School is - even the weather station doesn't tell you - pretty useless link unless you live next door! (I clicked on the Map tab and it is offshore!

Good stuff Frank.
 
Robin said:
Excellent information Frank but can I be a tad pedantic and say that Poole is NOT in the Solent, we have standards don't yer know!

Also you might want to add these which are very reliable and give past data.

Hurst Castle which is in the west Solent link here http://www.weather-file.com/hurst/

Portland Harbour link here http://www.weather-file.com/portland/
Click to expand...

On the weather-file.com sites I get a few graphics, some text, but no data.

There's a line of Martian which says "Use MS Tabular data control to construct client side data object".
 
MoodySabre said:
The ordering for the east coast could be done in counties - south to north order or vice versa or just in order following the coast and rivers. Counties would be best as who knows where (for example) Ashcroft School is - even the weather station doesn't tell you - pretty useless link unless you live next door! (I clicked on the Map tab and it is offshore!

Good stuff Frank.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have tried to give an ordering for England and Wales "cyclonically" ie counter clockwise. For Scotland, it just seemed more logical to go southward down both sides. I feel counties might be a little messy and require more headings.

I am happier with following around the coast up and down rivers. The Solent is a problem with its two coasts and round the IOW.

I take your point about Ashcroft School. I will go through the list in slow time and give better known locations see Ashcroft School now.

I would appreciate some help in ordering from Broadstairs northwards.
 
Robin said:
Excellent information Frank but can I be a tad pedantic and say that Poole is NOT in the Solent, we have standards don't yer know!

Also you might want to add these which are very reliable and give past data.

Hurst Castle which is in the west Solent link here http://www.weather-file.com/hurst/

Portland Harbour link here http://www.weather-file.com/portland/
Click to expand...



Not being a Solent sailor, I was a little cavalier in my geography. How is that now? Some of my best friends have been Poole Harbour sailors/
 
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