Weather has a large influence on our lives. It can dictate whether we go outside or stay indoors. The weather also likes to play tricks on us - the day can start out beautiful, with lots of sunshine and no clouds in the sky. But by midday, it can be pouring rain. Stop guessing what the weather will do and start living life the way you were meant to. Here's a brief discussion of the different weather gauges that will help you do just that!

Rain Gauges

There are two main types of rain gauges, both of which use thin vials to capture the rainwater as it falls. One type relies on only the vial, which has marks on it to indicate the amount. The other type uses floats and levers. In this type, as the vial fills with water, the float rises and moves the lever to show you how much rain has fallen. Both types are effective and accurate. No matter which type you choose, the best gauges are the ones that show the amount of rainfall in small increments, such as 1/4 inch.

Wind Gauges

These gauges can measure the speed and direction of the wind. When buying a wind gauge, look for the following features:

• It's easy to read what the wind speed is;
• It has a counterbalance on the gauge. The purpose of the counterbalance is to keep the speed indicator steady and it can also be used to indicate the direction of the wind;
• It's made from solid materials, such as brass or steel; and
• Take note of the maximum speed it can measure.

Snow Gauges

Snow gauges can measure both wind speed and the amount of snow that has fallen. Now you'll know exactly how much snow fell last winter and who received the most snow! The most important thing to look for when buying a snow gauge is to check how much snow it can measure. The further north you live, the more snow you'll receive during the winter months; therefore, make sure your snow gauge will be tall enough to measure all that snow. Finally, the other thing to take note of is the material the gauge is made from. It should be sturdy and rustproof, so that it can survive being outside in the snow all winter.

Monitoring Temperatures

These gauges are the most popular ones. They come in all different styles and can monitor much more than temperatures.

The simplest gauges are thermometers that only measure the current temperature of the air around them. They come in a variety of shapes, from tall and skinny to large and round. When hanging up a thermometer, be sure to position them in a spot where you can easily read the temperature and that is out of the sun. If the sun is shining on the thermometer, then it will show the temperature to be warmer than it really is.

More complex thermometers can connect to the internet and remote sensors that can be placed both inside and outside. These thermometers not only tell you the current temperature, but since they connect to the internet, they can tell you the weather forecast for the next few days. As well, the most sophisticated ones will also display the time, date, humidity levels and the barometric pressure - everything you need to plan your day!