Tag Archives: weather station

Spring is coming – tune up your weather stations

The 2019 growing season will be here in another few weeks. Now is the perfect time to give your Rainwise weather stations a tune-up. Use the checklist below to make sure you are getting the best possible data feed from your machine.

If your Rainwise station is getting old (>6 years) consider replacing the machine if this decision suits your farm management needs. A 2017 online survey of current NEWA users found that 75% of growers are saving money on their spray bill with average annual savings of $4,329 from reduced pesticide applications and $33,048 in avoided crop losses.

To get in touch with Rainwise support for station servicing or replacement of your weather station sensor assembly please reach out to the RainWise Inc. Service Department for consultation by phone (207) 801-4039 or email service@rainwise.com.

Contact support@newa.zendesk.com with other questions regarding the online NEWA platform at newa.cornell.edu.

Spring weather station tune up checklist

Set a maintenance schedule. Check your weather station every 2 or 3 weeks through the growing season. Choose dates in advance and add to your calendar or planner.

Clean the solar radiation sensor. The diffuser can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Replace the sensor if has turned yellow.

Check the anemometer and weather vane. Make sure the anemometer (spinning fan) and weather vane move freely in all directions. Set the weather vane to zero on due North.

Check the leaf wetness sensor. Examine the plastic board and electrodes for corrosion, cracking or weathering damage.

Check the relative humidity sensor. Verify the accuracy of RH measurements by looking at NEWA values on mornings that are rainy or have heavy dew.

Clean the rain gauge. Remove leaves, nests, insect, spider webs and other debris. Set a schedule. Watch this video and learn more about tipping bucket maintenance.

Using the NEWA help desk

NEWA has a new online help desk. Use it to share an idea, ask a question, report a website problem, request weather station assistance and more.

How to make a request

A ‘Help’ link is located on the right side of the main navigation bar which is accessible from any NEWA page (Figure 1). Click to open a new window and make a request (Figure 2). You can also send a message directly to support@newa.zendesk.com.

Figure 1. The NEWA help desk can be accessed from the navigation bar on any page.

Figure 2. Click ‘Submit a Request’ to contact the NEWA help desk.

When the form opens, add a valid email address, subject, detailed description of your question or problem, and any relevant URLs or screenshots which can be uploaded as attachments (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Use the help desk form to ask a question, report a problem, or make other NEWA-related inquiries.

You will receive confirmation after clicking the form ‘Submit’ button (Figure 4).

Figure 4. You will receive confirmation or your request to the NEWA help desk.

Work tickets

A unique work ticket will be generated when you submit your request to the NEWA help desk and all subsequent communication will come from support@newa.zendesk.com. We will work closely with you until a resolution is found.

What to use the help desk for

Use the NEWA help desk for anything of importance as it relates to your user experience. This includes general questions or comments, model questions, website issues, weather station issues, and anything else of importance.

Tune up your weather station

Remember to check your weather station before the 2018 growing season begins to get the most from NEWA models and resources. Read this article and be sure your instrument is ready to go. Contact support@newa.zendesk.com if you are unable to resolve problems or have questions.

Set a schedule. Check your weather station every 2 or 3 weeks through the growing season. Choose dates in advance and add to your calendar or planner.

Clean the solar radiation sensor. The diffuser can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Replace if the sensor diffuser is yellow.

Check the anemometer and weather vane. Make sure the anemometer (spinning fan) and weather vane move freely in all directions. Set the weather vane to zero on due North.

Check the leaf wetness sensor. Examine the plastic board and electrodes for corrosion, cracking or weathering damage.

Check the relative humidity sensor. Verify the accuracy of RH measurements by looking at NEWA values on mornings that are rainy or have heavy dew.

Clean the rain gauge. Remove leaves, nests, insect, spider webs and other debris. Set a schedule. Watch this video and learn more about tipping bucket maintenance.

Send an email to support@newa.zendesk.com if you need additional assistance.