Getting the jump on stormy weather

Regardless of what's going on in the world, it seems the biggest stories in the news revolve around the weather. Whether in the form of a tease ("Is the snow headed our way? Find out at 11 ...") or a program interruption ("There's a severe thunderstorm watch in the following counties ..."), station managers can't wait to bring us up-to-date. If there's a significant event happening, we're in for wall-to-wall coverage, and not just from the studio. In fact, we're often stunned to see broadcasters and meteorologists actually put themselves in harm's way to bring viewers live pictures of hurricanes and other major storms. Thankfully, we don't have to step outside to know it's raining. We're quite satisfied to get our information from our Professional Weather Center.

This device, from La Crosse Technology, La Crosse, Wis., in conjunction with The Weather Channel, gives us everything we need to know about the conditions outside our front door. In addition to providing outdoor temperature and humidity readings, it displays the barometric and relative air pressure; wind chill, speed, and direction; and total rainfall. Based on all this information, the Professional Weather Center ($149.95) gives the forecast and tendency.

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The receiver unit, which also shows the date and time, can be freestanding or hung on a wall. The rain gauge, thermo-hygro, and wind sensors have a range of 330 feet. For more information, visit www.lacrossetechnology.com.

If the Weather Center indicates the conditions are right for a road trip, make sure to take The Weather Channel Voyager Cooler/Warmer ($59.99) along. This innovative product can either keep your drinks and snacks cool or your hot food warm and ready to eat. With a five-liter capacity, it holds up to nine cans and can cool to 30[degrees] below the ambient temperature or warm to 113[degrees]F. It has built-in cup holders, nylon storage pockets, and is powered by your vehicle's 12V outlet (formerly known as a cigarette lighter). It comes with a shoulder strap for easy portability and includes a list of tips and weather.com resource listings to aid in travel planning.

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For more information on the Voyager, visit www.weather.com/store.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning