Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Versatile 6330 Stratus Rain Gauge

You don’t need to be a professional meteorologist to appreciate the Versatile 6330 Stratus Rain Gauge. However, if you are, you are going to love it.

This rain gauge is a simple instrument that does not require wiring, electrical connections or even batteries. It is easy to install and practical to use during all seasons. 

The gauge has a capacity of 11” that provides an inside look into rainfall amounts. You will also gain first hand knowledge of whether or not your garden needs a little extra help staying green and lush throughout the hot summer months. This is a great product whether you are interested in tracking rainfall annually, or you are curious to learn how much rain fell during the night. 

The internal tube enables you to collect up to an inch of rain and is designed to measure in increments of 0.01 inches. This measurement allows for a more precise reading. There is an outer cylinder that catches any overflow, which you can pour into the measuring tube to receive the exact measurement. The gauge is also available in a metric measurement model.

Using a precipitation gauge to track the rainfall has never been easier. The durable receptacle is made of butyrate that lasts through all kinds of weather. You will feel confident that your gauge will continue to measure from season to season and year to year.

The clear plastic makes the rain gauge easy to read. It is lightweight and easy to move from one location to the next. It also comes with a sturdy rustproof bracket, so it maintains its looks for years.
Are you a teacher who is interested in supplementing your science course and teaching with hands on activities throughout the year? This is an economically priced tool to add to your bag of tricks to keep students engaged and excited about learning. Encourage them to keep a journal, so they can monitor the local precipitation throughout the school year.

This instrument measures so extremely accurate that it can be used for official rainfall measurements taken at most airports or other reading stations.

The gauge also becomes handy during the winter months to track the local snowfall. All that you do is remove the receiving funnel and measuring tube. In a matter of seconds, you have an instrument that works for snowfall measurement during those big snowfalls. This will help you know if the kids have enough snow to go outside for a sled ride or build a snowman.

The Stratus Rain Gauge is a high-quality, American-made product. It is also one of the most affordable gauges on the market today.

If you are looking to purchase this gauge or read more about it, Scientific Sales Inc. can help. You can learn all about our company and this gauge by visiting the rain gauge product page.

Monday, August 19, 2013

How to Prepare and Recover from Flood Waters

Millions of people around the world are affected by flood waters each year. Flooding waterways and flash floods on average are the most damaging natural disasters resulting in millions of dollars in property damage and claim hundreds of lives. Flood waters can slowly advance or occur minutes after rainfall, so it’s essential you are prepared before a flood and know how to act during and after a flooding event.

Before a flood
The best way to avoid the devastating effects of flooding is to understand the factors that lead to flooding. Of course rainfall is correlated to flooding but did you know that the local terrain, flood control measures and construction all impact flooding? To decrease the chance of flood waters becoming an issue avoid building your home on a floodplain but be aware that where rain occurs flooding is a possibility. Protect yourself financially from flood damage with flood insurance. Many homeowners are not aware that homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover losses from floods and there is a 30-day waiting period prior to coverage kicking in. Don’t risk large investments- buy flood insurance now!

During a flood
While a flood is happening it’s important to listen to emergency radio broadcasts. Information on flooded areas and evacuation orders will be communicated over the radio. This is especially true if power has been knocked out rendering televisions useless. Move valuable personal items to the second floor of your home if you are not in imminent danger. If you need to evacuate your home make sure you take an emergency kit with 72 hours of food, water, medications and a first aid kit. Most flooding deaths happen while the victim attempts to drive over a flooded road. Do not risk your life as just 2 feet of moving water carries enough power to disable even the largest cars and trucks. Most flooding deaths are due to victim not respecting the power of flood waters.

After a flood
Following a flood, rescue and emergency crews will be busy saving stranded residents so it’s best to make their jobs easier by staying off roads. Don’t risk driving on bridges and roads as they may have become unsafe to traverse. Flood water is usually contaminated so make sure you clean and disinfect anything that came into contact with flood water. Contact your flood insurance agent to discuss claims and check the references of repair contractors before they begin to repair flood damaged property. Local and federal agencies may offer assistance so listen for information on relief programs that will help you recover from a flood. Your life is not worth risking during or after a flood. Respect the power of flooding waters and remember material possessions can be replaced, your loved ones cannot.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Pocket Weather Meter Spotlight: Kestrel 3000

Kestrel Pocket Meters are considered the finest quality handheld wind instruments on the market; with their affordability, dependability and extreme accuracy, it is easy to see why.  Kestrel wind and weather tools are available in a variety of models and colors and are graded for beginners as well as advanced users. Weather meters are used to determine various weather conditions in any environment. They detect and report advanced wind data such as max gust, average speed and temperature data including the wind chill. Kestrel pocket meters serve the needs of many including outdoorsman, industry professionals, storm chasers and meteorological enthusiasts.  Pocket weather meters are great tools to know exactly what is going on around you.

Although all of the Kestrel meters are great weather monitors, our top-seller is the Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter. This weather meter gives weather conditions in real-time so you never have to wonder about what Mother Nature has in store.

The Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures a variety of different atmospheric conditions including: Wind Speed, Max Wind Gust, Average Wind Speed, Air/Water/Snow Temperature, Wind Chill, Relative Humidity, Heat Stress Index and the Dewpoint Temperature.  Aside from measuring the current weather conditions the Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter boats a large list features. One of the best features about the weather meter is the wide operating range. It is functional in almost any place on the Earth, accurately presenting weather conditions in hot and freezing climates. Some of the other features the 3000 meter has is a quick response external thermometer so you are always aware of the temperature outside. The humidity can also be checked very easily with the humidity sensor. The meter provides high accuracy when determining weather conditions so individuals always have an up to date report on the weather.

The 3000 Pocket Weather Meter is made in the U.S.A. and although it has been put through rigorous testing including a drop test it comes with a 5-year warranty should anything happen to the meter. The meter was made to be used in rough and rugged conditions so it is waterproof and it does float if dropped in water.

The 3000 pocket weather meter comes ready to use out of the box. The meter is already stocked with a coin cell battery that has an average battery life of 300 hours. Along with the battery, the meter includes a neck lanyard that makes it easy to carry and hard to misplace. Each Kestrel pocket meter purchase comes with a Kestrel Certificate of Conformity to ensure you benefit from the finest quality weather meter. The ease of use, accurate reporting and hand-held size of Kestrel meters makes them a must on any outdoorsman or weather enthusiast’s packing list.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Lightning Facts & Safety Tips

Every year around 100 Americans are killed as a result of being struck by lightning. 100 deaths from a common natural event may not seem like a lot considering over 300 million people live in the United States, but deaths from lightning are more common than hurricanes, tornadoes and forest fires. On average only flooding claims more lives than lightning. Lightning is dangerous and its power should be respected by people, especially those who spend time outdoors like hikers, boaters, golfers, athletes and the coaches responsible for their safety.

Why Lightning is so Dangerous?
Lightning is lethal due to the immense power it carries and the unpredictable nature of strikes. Each lightning strike may contain 100 million to 1 billion electrical volts and be as hot as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That is enough power to instantly fry any living being and hot enough to spark an out of control fire. The deadliness of lightning is amplified by the erratic nature of strikes. Lightning usually strikes within a 10 mile radius of a thunderstorm but has been known to strike at a range of 50 miles from the main storm, putting people at risk that may be unaware of an impending lightning storm.

What to do if stuck in a lightning storm?
There are some safety measures you can take if you find yourself in the middle of a lightning storm. The best advice during a thunderstorm is to take shelter inside as soon as lightning is detected. If shelter is not an option you should stay away from high objects and avoid being the tallest object yourself. Steer clear of isolated trees, tall trees, telephone poles and metal objects. In the unfortunate event you are the tallest object, like in a field or body of water, attempt to crouch down to lessen your height. Do not lie flat on the ground as electrical charges can be felt through the ground at distances of 100 ft. from a strike. A car is a safe place to take shelter from a lightning storm. In the event of a strike, lightning will travel around the conductive metal surface then discharged through the tires.

What Tools Can Protect You?
Having the appropriate respect for lightning is the most important measure when considering lightning safety. Thunder is a direct result of lightning, so if you hear thunder that means you are at risk of being struck. Lightning detectors are able to identify electrical activity at distances before the threat of a strike. Golf courses, swimming pools, sports teams, boaters and storm chasers represent some of the groups that use lightning monitors to ensure outdoor safety. Scientific Sales Inc. features the P5-2 Skyscan Lightning Detector, capable of detecting lightning as far as 40 miles away. The P5-2 Skyscan lightning monitor warns those at risk using audible and LED alarms ranged in miles, 0-3, 3-8, 8-20, 20-40. The hand-held lightning scanner is very reliable and perfect for people that spend time outdoors.

Remember lighting is a powerful and unpredictable killer. The fact that 85% of lightning victims are under the age of 35, signifies that lightning is not fully understood or respected by Americans. Take cover at first sign of lightning, and invest in a lifesaving lightning detector if you frequent the outdoors. It just may save your life.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Top Severe Weather Events of 2012 & 2013

Extreme weather events and climate change have shaped our Earth for over 4.5 billion years and they continue to do so today. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods, extreme temperatures account for hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damage each year in the US. While controlling our planet’s natural forces is hardly possible, advanced scientific monitoring and increased education can help humans predict and better cope with extreme weather and disasters. In this post we’ll cover severe and expensive natural events over the last 365 days.

Hurricane Sandy mercilessly slammed the Northeastern coast of the United States from October 28-29 2012.  Shoreline residents evacuated their homes for higher ground as a 1,100 mile wide hurricane sped up the coast bringing with it damaging winds and 15 ft flood waters. As expected, Sandy’s physical damage and human toll were great with over $65B reported in damage and over 100 deaths in the United States. Recent damage assessments have Sandy as the second most damaging storm behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Numerous states were declared to be in a state of emergency and large metropolitan areas like New York and Philadelphia suspended public transportation, highways and schools. While there’s no doubt the storm forever changed the landscape of the coast, resolute communities were quick to begin the rebuilding process which will take years to be fully complete.

Severe Drought in the Midwest, while not immediately top of mind, has severely affected Americans for years to come. During the summer of 2012, a massive heat wave was responsible for the worst US drought in 25 years. Extensive property damage and human loss normally associated with natural disasters was replaced by a loss of crops, livestock and water supplies. Corn and soybean crops were especially hit hard which led to price increases in food products using these ingredients. Low winter snowfall numbers have extended the drought into 2013 with water restrictions a real possibility for drought-stricken areas of the country this summer. The drought is estimated to cost over $35B in the Midwest alone. 

May Tornado Outbreaks across the Great Plains and Midwest had millions of Americans taking cover as 150 confirmed tornados destroyed neighborhoods and property from May 18-31. The most powerful and deadly of these tornados was a 210 MPH, F5 cyclone that hit Moore, Oklahoma, resulting in 24 deaths. At its widest the Moore tornado measured 1.3 miles with damage estimates in Moore alone topping $2B. Other non-tornadic events accompanied the severe weather system including major hailstorms, landslides and flash flooding. 

As the frequency and destruction of natural disasters appears to be increasing, Scientific Sales stresses the importance of following evacuation warnings and having a disaster response plan for any severe weather event. Interested in learning more about meteorological forces responsible for natural disasters? Our wide selection of professional instruments, weather stations and emergency weather radios may give you an early warning that may save you and your family.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The Affordable and Powerful 6250 Davis Vantage Vue Wireless Weather Station

Amateur meteorologists, take note: the 6250 Davis Vantage Vue Wireless Weather Station is an affordable, fully featured weather station that might have you turning off your local weather forecast forever.

Available in both standard and metric models, the Vantage Vue is reliable, durable, and easy to set up and start using right away. This compact weather station is made with pride in the U.S.A and provides accurate weather updates every 2.5 seconds, giving it a serious edge on the competition. The backlit LCD screen is easy to read, featuring a bright, clear display with the ability to show 50 different onscreen graphs to compare past and current weather to determine trends and make predictions for future forecasts.

The Vantage Vue is a great choice for an affordable, mid-range weather station, and the features give a great deal of value not reflected in the reasonable price. With wireless transmission of up to 1000' feet, this weather station sends and receives strong signals to guarantee reliability and accuracy when you need it most. You'll be able to find information on nearly every possible weather metric. Available reports include indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity; wind speed, wind direction, highest wind gust and wind chill; heat index and dew point; rainfall and rain rate; plus time, sunrise and sunset and moon phase.

If you're concerned about keeping your family safe in the face of inclement weather, you'll be pleased to find that the Vantage Vue offers 22 different alarms to warn you in the case of high winds, possible flooding, or a host of other potentially dangerous conditions. Best of all, the Vantage Vue is easy to use no matter what the current weather conditions. Solar-powered with a stored energy backup for periods of overcast weather, the Vantage Vue works without being reliant on electricity which makes it a perfect choice for areas prone to blackouts during high winds, heavy rain, or other unstable weather conditions. In addition, the integrated sensor suite is totally sealed to protect the important electronics in this station from potentially damaging elements. Want to use the Vantage Vue at night to get a handle on the next day's forecast? Fortunately, this user-friendly weather station features a glow-in-the-dark keypad for night time usage.

With so many features to choose from and a handy guide to keep it all on track, the Vantage Vue is a wise choice for the amateur weatherman looking to track the weather easily and affordably, rain or shine.