The holiday season is here, and you might know somebody who would appreciate a weather-related gift, but you don’t know where to start. After all, following the weather is pretty common, but it can range from a casual interest to a never-ending appetite for all things meteorology.
Weather stations, décor and more–you have lots of options to choose from.
Editor’s note: Spectrum Networks does not endorse these products or discourage ones not listed here.
Any weather weenie would love to know what exactly the weather was at their house, rather than having to rely only on the nearest airport’s readings. Weather stations can do just that, and you have a range of prices to choose from.
Want to keep it simple? Get a special rain gauge that’s the same one that’s used for the citizen science CoCoRaHS network. Observers around the country send in their precipitation reports each morning, which helps make better weather and river forecasts.
Looking for something that gives more detail? Check out weather stations that can measure rain, wind and temperature. AcuRite has weather stations at various price points, as does La Crosse Technology. Two other popular brands are Ambient Weather and Tempest.
Another well-respected manufacturer is Davis Instruments, although their weather stations come at a higher price point.
You can set up most weather stations to send data to Weather Underground, which saves a history of the weather data in simple graphs and charts that are shareable with anyone.
Who doesn’t love getting mail that isn’t junk? Weatherwise magazine comes out every other month and has weather and climate stories that appeal to a wide audience.
The American Meteorological Society–one of the professional organizations for weather, water and climate–started the AMS Weather Band in 2020 as a community for weather enthusiasts around the world.
The National Weather Association is another weather-related organization. While it’s mostly professionals, it has plenty of weather enthusiasts, too.
By the way, AMS Weather Band and NWA members each get a discounted rate for Weatherwise magazine.
If you know somebody who ignores the phrase “get your head out of the clouds,” you might consider a gift membership to the Cloud Appreciation Society.
There’s certainly no shortage of weather books, which can make choosing one or a few feel overwhelming.
For kids, Scholastic has a list of ideas for various ages. National Geographic has kid-friendly options, and the “Freddy the Frogcaster” series is also popular.
This Goodreads list of books in the “meteorology” category that might inspire you. “Isaac’s Storm,” “The Weather Machine” and “Inventing Atmospheric Science” are just a few that might whet a weather weenie’s appetite. The National Audubon Society’s “Field Guide to Weather” is also a well-known reference book for all things weather.
Maybe your gift recipient wants to show they follow the weather, and that’s where décor comes in.
If you’re looking for wall art, try searching “meteorology prints” on sites like eBay or Etsy. Or you could go the DIY route and make small posters with this collection from Weather Underground. A barometer can add a classy touch to a wall, as well.
Galileo thermometers are popular; they're a tube with colored bulbs that move based on the temperature. A storm glass is another option, which has floating crystals that supposedly predict the weather... not very well, but they’re still interesting to look at.
An antique lightning rod with a glass globe is a unique gift, although those can get pricey. On the other hand, maybe you know someone with an old barn who’d be willing to cut you a deal.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
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