5 Steps to a Simple DIY Weather Station

Do you have a Weather Station in your Outdoor Classroom or Backyard Teaching Garden? Does it collect the rain? Measure the wind? Or tell the outdoor temperature?

Inspired by the Weather Station card from the Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck, I set out to create my own one-of-a-kind Weather Station. Although perusing Pinterest helped me narrow down my ideas and my vision for this project, I quickly learned that there are many, many ways to create a Weather Station. It was necessary to adopt the “Keep it Simple” mantra. I believe it was the key to my success. 

Here are 5 Steps to my Simple DIY Weather Station

Step 1: Foundation:

The foundation is the structural base that stands on the ground and supports the rest of the station. Foundation design is the creation of a construction plan for a station. What is going to hold your weather measurement tools? How will the Rain Gauge Thermometer, and Weather Vane all be constructed together? 

• I used a 4 in. x 4 in. x 6 ft. Pressure-Treated Cedar-Tone Moulded Fence Post

Step 2: Aesthetics:

How will you make your foundation structure visually pleasing?

• Inspired by Artist Jena Jauchius and her painted posts, I painted my fence post with a weather-theme. 

Step 3: Materials:

What types of weather will you be measuring? Wind? Temperature? Rain? Atmospheric Pressure? Speed of the Wind?  

There are options to hand-make many of these measurement tools;  however, I chose to purchase them. Note: These items can easily be found at a hardware store. 

• Thermometer: There are 2 options to consider
  • Taylor Indoor/Outdoor 8.5 Thermometer 
  • Springfield Big and Bold Vertical Thermometer
• Weather Vane
  • Note: The weather vane is a personal choice and can be ordered and/or found accordingly. 
• Rain Gauge: These can be hand-made by the children using plastic water bottles; however, I chose to purchase a
  • Jumbo Rain Gauge by Taylor. 

In keeping it simple, I chose not to purchase at this time a

• Barometer
• Anemometer 

Step 4: Attach Weather Measuring Tools to your Foundation. 

Step 5: Install your one-of-a-kind Weather Station into your Outdoor Classroom. 

NEXT STEPS: 

Now I want to hear from you. What might your Weather Station look like? Share your ideas in the comments and/or join the conversation with our Outdoor Classrooms Facebook Group. 

Want to learn more? Check out the on-line Master Classes HERE and the Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck HERE.