Russell Witthuhn from iWeathar developed the weather stations over a period of years, refining the technology and the capabilities to ensure they were not only agile and accurate, but cost-effective. A decent weather station costs upwards of R50,000 and there was a need for a solution that was less expensive, and easier to install and maintain.
The iWeathar station is light, portable and easy to install with a full sensor suite across temperature, humidity, barometer, wind speed, direction, solar radiation, rainfall and more,” he continues. “Currently, we’re developing 30-40 stations a month for different suppliers and providing hands-on support to our customers
The weather stations are Vox Weather branded, come with ongoing support, are built with local, reliable materials, and are designed to be highly efficient and resilient weather tools. Their accuracy and capability are enhanced by digital sensors, tools and systems built to withstand all types of weather. When the data from the stations is collated over time, it will then be used to predict trends and discover patterns in specific areas. This information can inform planning and agricultural management, and offer near-real-time insights that can have a significant impact on local business. For farmers, for example, it can help them to predict harvest times, compare annual changes, humidity levels, pest threats and more.
“The magic lies in the data,” concludes Botha. “The agricultural sector will feel immediate value, but these benefits will also extend to homeowners, local community vegetable gardens, commercial sites, and more. Even knowing about incoming cold fronts can help utilities plan ahead, and people manage their wellbeing. The potential and scale of these stations can reimagine how we talk about, and understand, the weather in South Africa.”
