20 November 2009
	GIMME Be a weather forecaster By Robert Quarshie

If you do not want to be caught without a brolly or have that golf date washed out, it could make sense to get your own mini-weather station. The Oregon Scientific Easy Weather Station Pro is a convenient way to keep abreast of daily weather patterns. Barely the size of a novel (296 g) and easy to set up, the wireless radio signal-controlled main console in silver and dark grey plastic is powered by three AA batteries. Its large LCD interface provides information on 12-24 hours of weather within a 30-50 km radius, it is claimed. It has readings for minimum and maximum temperature - both inside and outside the home or office - the level of humidity, the barometric trend and the phase of the moon. If you can't be bothered with the readings, there's a graphic display on top of a well-lit LCD screen that shows four preset images illustrating cloudy, partly cloudy, sunny or rainy conditions. It also doubles as a stylish clock and calendar, with alarm and snooze functions. The gathering of data is done by means of a wall-mountable sensor (also with an LCD read-out) the size of two matchboxes. It must be placed outside, and has to be at least 30 m from the main console for effectiveness. The model we saw accommodates three sensors, and a warning system alerts you if something is interfering with the signal. The accuracy of the readings? They're off the SA weather service predictions by a degree or two sometimes, but usually spot-on.