New Wake Forest weather stations offer weather data for all

June 17, 2016

Now is the time of the year when many at Wake Forest are asking, “How hot is it?” Two new weather stations installed on campus will answer that question and many others about the weather around the clock.

The WeatherSTEM stations were installed, recently, on top of the Miller Center and the scoreboard at BB&T Field.  They use a combination of weather instruments and sensors to take environmental measurements and offer frequently updated details on temperature, humidity, the heat index, barometric pressure and much more.

Each station includes a sky camera, with one directed toward Kentner Stadium, Farrell Hall and Wait Chapel, while the other camera is directed across BB&T Field.

While the weather stations are useful for anyone interested in weather at and around the University, they offer valuable information to a number of University departments and groups, including the Wake Forest Police Department and the University’s Crisis Management Team.

Anyone with access to the internet can visit the web sites for the weather stations located at the Miller Center and BB&T Field.  Each web site has a link to the other. The links are labeled “WEATHERSTEM UNITS” and can be found at the top right side of the sites.

The stations also offer information through Facebook and Twitter accounts, which are updated through automation.  On Facebook, the accounts are identified as Wake Forest Weatherstem and Wake Forest Football Weatherstem.  On Twitter, the stations can be followed @WakeForestWx and @WFUFootballWx.

WeatherSTEM also offers apps for ios and Android.

“WeatherSTEM’s mobile capabilities give every individual the ability to have quick, accurate information right at their fingertips,” said Wake Forest Emergency Manager August Vernon. “This empowers faculty, staff, students and visitors to make informed decisions about their personal safety, especially when there is the potential for severe weather and when participating in outdoor activities or community events on or near campus.”

Vernon added that “this tool will also assist the Crisis Management Team in making decisions when preparing for or responding to any type of severe weather such as a snow storm or severe thunderstorm.”

The weather stations were obtained from WeatherSTEM in Tallahassee, Fla.  The company describes itself as providing “an integration of weather stations, collected and distributed atmospheric data and STEM-based curriculum for grades K-12.

In addition to its safety applications, WeatherSTEM also provides an online library of educational materials.

To learn more:

–Visit the University’s WeatherSTEM stations.

–Download a WeatherSTEM mobile app

–Follow the social media accounts for the University’s weather stations.