I run a full weather station at home, but I also carry two pocket weather meters, a Kestrel 5500 and a Kestrel 3000. Why? Because the weather where you’re standing is often different from the forecast, or from the airport reading on your phone.
A handheld meter tells you, right here and right now:
- Wind speed and gusts. This is the big one. I check it before putting up an awning, a tarp or an antenna mast. If the gusts are climbing, it stays down.
- Temperature, wind chill and humidity. Handy for deciding what to wear, and for keeping an eye on heat stress in summer.
- Dew point. When the temperature drops close to the dew point, expect dew, frost or fog.
I had mine at Field Day this year near Fort Macleod, comparing its readings with Environment Canada’s and my own station’s.
A pocket meter doesn’t replace a proper weather station; it’s not mounted at the standard 10 metres, out in the open. But for “is it safe to put this up?” decisions, it’s one of the best tools you can carry.
See my station’s live readings at West Lethbridge Weather.
Was this page helpful?