On-Farm Weather Stations

What does a farm weather station actually measure?

Most stations track air temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed and wind direction. Some add soil temperature, soil moisture, solar radiation or leaf wetness sensors. Each added sensor costs more and needs more care, so start with what supports a decision you really make.

A grower who protects tender plants from frost cares most about temperature and humidity. A hay producer cares about rain, humidity and wind. Someone running irrigation may want rainfall plus soil moisture.

• Temperature and humidity
• Rainfall
• Wind speed and direction
• Optional: soil temperature, soil moisture, leaf wetness

Is a weather station worth it on a small farm?

It can be, but it is not required. A simple rain gauge and a good thermometer cover many needs for very little money. A full station makes sense when conditions at your place differ from nearby reports, when timing matters a great deal, or when you want to log data automatically.

Ask yourself what you would do differently with the data. If the honest answer is that you would just be curious, a basic gauge may be plenty. If it would change when you irrigate, spray, cover crops or move animals, a station can pay for itself in saved work and avoided losses.

Where should I put the station?

Placement affects the readings as much as the equipment does. Sensors should sit in open, representative ground, away from buildings, trees, pavement and metal roofs that change the wind and hold heat. A rain gauge placed under an eave or near a tall tree will give misleading totals.

Follow the instructions from the maker and look at published guidance from your state Extension service for recommended heights and clearances rather than guessing. If you farm in varied terrain, one station may not describe every field, and that is worth keeping in mind when you read the numbers.

How do I get the data and what do I do with it?

Many stations send readings to a display, a phone or a website. Connected systems rely on your internet service or cell signal, which can be spotty in the country, so check what happens when the connection drops. Some units store readings locally until they can upload.

Data only helps if you look at it. Pick a few numbers to review regularly, such as overnight lows in spring, rainfall since the last irrigation and wind during spraying windows. Write down the thresholds that trigger action so you are not making those calls from memory in the middle of a stressful night.

How do I keep a station accurate?

Sensors drift, collect dust, get blocked by insects and fail in cold or heat. Plan a regular check. Clean the rain collector, make sure moving parts spin freely, replace batteries on a schedule and compare readings against a manual gauge or thermometer.

If a reading looks odd, investigate before you trust it. A sudden jump in temperature may be sunshine on the sensor shield. A flat line of zero rain during a storm may mean a clogged funnel.

• Clean the rain collector often
• Replace batteries on a schedule
• Compare against a simple manual gauge
• Note repairs and moves in your log

Where can I find help choosing and installing one?

Your county Extension office, a nearby university agricultural program or a neighboring farm that already runs a station can share what worked and what did not. Some states have networks of public stations whose data you can compare with your own.

Be cautious about sales claims. Ask what the sensors measure, how they are calibrated and what support exists after the sale. This site does not recommend specific brands, and the right choice depends on your crops, animals and budget.

What mistakes do people make with weather stations?

The most common mistake is buying more than they will use. A station with a dozen sensors that nobody checks is just clutter. The second is poor placement, such as mounting the unit on the barn wall where heat and wind are distorted.

Another is trusting the data blindly. Stations are tools, and readings should be checked against what you see in the field. If your lows are consistently a few degrees warmer than your neighbor's thermometer, look at the placement and shielding before you change your frost plans.

Finally, remember that a station only records the past and present. Use forecasts for what is coming and your station to learn how your land responds to them.

• Buying sensors you will not use
• Mounting near buildings or pavement
• Ignoring maintenance
• Treating the readings as perfect

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.