Three Mile Lake weatherCAM Questions and Answers
What Is The weatherCAM?
The weatherCAM is a home grown project as opposed to a purchase preassembled weather station like the one on Skeleton Lake. In addition to weather readings, I added a camera to take a still picture of the lake.
The reading sensors are in three locations:
- LAKE – A water temperature sensor reads lake temperature about 6 feet from shore, just below the surface, in shallow but shaded water.
- SHORE – Temperature and humidity readings are take about 3 feet from shore. I’ve found that there is a lake affect on these readings.
- COTTAGE – Temperature, humidity and air pressure are recorded about 40 feet from the lake and 15 feet higher than the water. It’s worthwhile noting that these temperatures are far lower in the hot weather that at top of our lot. So all temperatures are affected by the lake.
Calculating humidex is complicated. It is compounded by the varying accuracy of humidity sensors. Humidex is the best I can get.
For those interested, the weatherCAM is built from a Raspberry PI. There are a number of weather station projects based off the PI see this link for more information.
Where is the weatherCAM located?
It’s at the west end of Three Mile Lake, Ufford, Ontario, on the south shore facing north. The buildings you see in the photo of the lake are on the North Shore Road.
Why do you only post a picture every 20 minutes? Why not a continuous video feed?
Our cottage internet uses an older Rogers Rocket Hub, with an inexpensive plan, and thus reduced bandwidth.
Why is there a range of times the readings were taken?
I use two different computers for readings. One does the COTTAGE and the other does the LAKE and SHORE. They each take readings every 10 minutes. Sometimes because of computer reboots, they are not in sync.
Will the weatherCAM operate year round?
Unfortunately no. We are seasonal cottagers so the weatherCAM will go home for the winter. Also, some of the components, like the camera, are not rated for outdoor use so will cannot withstand the cold temperatures of the winter.
Why are your temperature and humidity readings different from other weather sites?
A couple of reasons. As you have likely observed, as you move around Muskoka, different locations can be substantially cooler or hotter. If I go to cottages up the hill from me, away from the lake, the temperature is greatly increased. The temperature shown on the weatherCAM can even be several degrees cooler than the thermometer at the cottage.
As to the Humidity readings and associated ‘Feels Like’ humidex value, electronic humidity sensors can have wide variances. Also note that the Skeleton Lake Personal Weather Station referenced on the webpage may suffer from the same problems. With that in mind, remember that the readings I show are from the west end of the lake on the shaded south side.