FAQ
Common questions about keeping a home weather log, checking instruments, and using the site and the Raingauge Log app.
How often should I check my thermometer against a reference?
Many home observers check once a season, and again after any move or repair of the instrument. Checking more often mainly matters if you already suspect drift.
What counts as a good reference reading?
Any instrument you have independent reason to trust more than your own — a nearby station you can compare against, or a second instrument you have already checked carefully.
Does it matter what time of day I take my main reading?
Yes. Changing the hour partway through a series can shift daily highs and lows even if nothing about the weather changed, so most logs pick one fixed hour and stick with it.
Why do two thermometers a few feet apart sometimes disagree?
Small differences in shade, airflow, or nearby surfaces (a wall, pavement, a fence) can produce a real, repeatable offset between two otherwise similar instruments.
Is a monthly average enough to understand a season?
It tends to smooth out the specific runs of unusual days that often matter most, so we treat the average as a summary, not the whole record.
Where should a home thermometer be placed?
Away from direct sun, off any south-facing wall, and clear of pavement or other surfaces that hold heat, in a spot with free airflow at roughly chest height.
How long before a home log becomes useful?
A single season already shows local patterns; drawing conclusions about long-term change usually wants several years of consistent readings.
What should I do if I notice a gap in my log?
Leave it as a gap. Filling in an estimated value tends to create more confusion later than an honest missing entry.
Can a phone's built-in barometer replace a dedicated instrument?
It can be useful for short-term trend, but placement and calibration are outside your control, so most logkeepers treat it as a rough cross-check rather than a primary reading.
How do I know if my rain gauge is reading accurately?
A simple check is measuring a known volume of water poured into the gauge and comparing it to the marked scale; repeat occasionally, since gauges can shift or degrade.
Why does my station read differently after I move it a few feet?
Even small changes in shade, wind exposure, or nearby surfaces can shift a reading enough to matter over a long series; that is why many observers log any relocation directly in their notes.
Does Barograph verify readings submitted by others?
We do not run a public data-submission system. The site's own log entries come from the small group described on the About page, and any outside numbers are clearly attributed.
Is Raingauge Log required to follow the site?
No. The app is an optional tool for people who want a structured way to keep their own log; the site itself can be read without it.