Nine Weather Cams Now Surround Omaha

Lou Billones, April 2004

There are nine (9) excellent weather cams surrounding the Omaha area which are providing 24/7 real-time weather observations.  These are in addition to the automated weather observations from Eppley, Millard, and Council Bluffs.  The weather cams are accessed via the Internet and provide accurate observations of all weather elements except snow fall rate and depth. I have monitored the wind readings, which are of most importance to us, and have found them to be representative.  The wind history traces are of particular note since they reflect the real-time trend of the wind.  Their locations are also noteworthy, most being around the edge of the city adjacent to our flying areas.  For instance, there are weather cams that give balloon-relevant observations in the Gretna area, 90th and Fort, and at 174th and Q.  The actual data is obtained from "Davis" Weather stations installed by private individuals interested in weather observations and the sharing of the data with those who need it.  These Davis weather stations are robust, accurate, and just plain fun to own and operate.  I have one at my house and it is remotely connected via wireless link from the instruments to a readout in my garden room.  Many of the weather stations are connected to personal computers that are in turn connected to the Internet.  (I have not connected mine to the Internet yet.)  If anyone is interested in seeming mine, just let me know.

So, how do you get to the data from these Omaha weather cams?  In answer, I recommend you go to members.cox.net/gretnawx/Data/current_weather.htm which is the Gretna site.  Scroll slowly through the site noting all the information provided.  Near the bottom of one of the last pages, you will see a map of Omaha showing all the other weather cam sites.  You can click on the site or its address to get to them.  Click on the sites you want to use and bookmark them for later use.  You’ll note the vast amount of weather data these sites provide!!  For those that fly in other areas of the US, there are lists of all Davis weather cams (listed by state) that you can check out.

So, now you have a 300% increase in weather observations for use in the Omaha area.  But remember, your "official" (and verifiable) forecast must still come directly from Flight Service or Circular 91 Compliant Internet providers, which the Davis weather cams are not - they are real-time observation sites.

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