Finding the perfect gift for the weather geek or meteorologist in your life for Christmas, a birthday, Father’s Day or any other special occasion, can sometimes be difficult. Weather enthusiasts are a dedicated bunch and seemingly have just about everything weather-related. So how do you find something they don’t have already? Let us help.
We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the 26 best gift ideas for weather enthusiasts both young and old. Don’t buy a cheesy mug or personalized shirt—buy a thoughtful and cool weather gift this holiday season.
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Here Are 26 Meteorology Gift Ideas For Weather Lovers
1. Ambient Weather WS-2902C 10-in-1 WiFi Weather Station
The Ambient Weather WS-2902C is currently our favorite home weather station and it’s our top pick among weather gifts for enthusiasts. It’s packed with a complete range of instruments to measure weather conditions at home. Also included is comprehensive smart home support (IFTTT, Alexa, Google Home) and user-friendly WiFi connectivity. For the price, this is currently the best weather station on the market. The WS-2902C is sure to make any amateur weather enthusiast or professional meteorologist very happy this holiday season.
2. La Crosse Technology C85845 Indoor Outdoor Thermometer
If a complete home weather station is a bit too much, a great alternative is the La Crosse Technology C85845 indoor outdoor thermometer. This digital thermometer provides temperature and humidity readings with customizable alerts and a weather forecast, along with the time and date on an easy-to-read display. It’s an affordable and practical gift, perfect for a weather geek’s desktop or countertop.
3. Midland WR400 Desktop Weather Radio
Another weather gift to consider (if the weather geek in your life doesn’t own one already) is a weather radio. We’ve reviewed the Midland WR400 and can say with certainty that it is one of the best weather radio models available. With SAME code support to give you both an audible and visual notification of current weather warnings, these devices are a must-have in severe weather-prone areas.
4. Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Radio
If you need a weather gift idea for the outdoorsy type, the Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Radio is a good choice. This radio features 3 sustainable power sources to recharge the device: a solar panel, a hand crank, and a rechargeable 2600mAh battery. It can also be powered by 6 AA batteries as a backup power solution. The radio itself receives the AM, FM, and weather (WX) bands, and a built-in flashlight may come in handy during power outages.
5. Emergency Survival Kit
If the weather enthusiast in your life likes to be prepared for when disaster strikes, consider an emergency survival kit. The kit we recommend—the Complete Earthquake Bag—includes everything you will need to keep you safe, warm and fed after a severe weather disaster. The smartly-packed bag is complete with food and water, first aid, hygiene kits, shelter, warmth, tools, and off-the-grid light and communication. All of it comes in a waterproof bag with enough supplies for up to three days. Just be sure to select the bag that contains adequate supplies for the whole family (versions are available for one to as many as six people).
6. SensorPush Wireless Thermometer & Hygrometer for iPhone/Android
A great weather gadget gift is the SensorPush wireless thermometer and hygrometer for iPhone and Android smartphones. This remote temperature sensor connects to a mobile device via Bluetooth for remote monitoring of temperature and humidity. The SensorPush app visualizes the real-time data and offers the capability to set alerts for when the conditions change. You can also add on a SensorPush G1 WiFi Gateway (sold separately) for data and alerts via the Internet.
7. Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel is undoubtedly the market leader when it comes to handheld weather instruments. The Kestrel 3000 is one of their more budget-minded models, it includes wind, temperature, and humidity sensors. Don’t assume the 3000 is cheaply made though. Kestrel has become known for accuracy and durability across their whole range, and this device gets as good reviews as its far more expensive siblings.
8. AcuRite 02020 Portable Lightning Detector
If you’re looking for a weather gift for dad, AcuRite’s Portable Lightning Detector might be a great option. When it detects a strike, it can alert you via audible, visual, and text-based alerts, as well as give you an idea of how far away the lightning strike was so you can apply some safety precautions and take cover to protect yourself. The portable, weather-resistant design with a no-slip clip for easy attachment to a belt or backpack makes this gadget perfect for boating, fishing, golf, camping, and other outdoor recreational activities.
9. AcuRite 00795A2 Galileo Thermometer with Glass Globe Barometer
This Galileo Thermometer and Glass Globe Barometer from AcuRite is a great conversation piece and decorative ornament that is both functional and visually pleasing. The Galileo thermometer works on principles developed by Galileo Galilei. As the temperature changes, the individual floats inside the sealed glass cylinder rise or fall in proportion to their respective density and the density of the surrounding liquid. Each bulb inside the Galileo Thermometer represents a different temperature, the temperature is then determined by reading the metal tag of the lowest floating bulb in the thermometer.
10. Storm Glass
A storm glass is another unique weather-related gift that is best used as a decorative conversation piece. The enclosed glass is filled with a liquid mixture of chemicals that are said to crystallize and change based on differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure which makes it possible to predict the weather several days in advance. We’ll admit we’re not sold on the accuracy either, but it sure makes for an interesting conversation piece.
11. Stratus Precision Rain Gauge
If your daily activities are affected by the rain, or you need a weather gift for a meteorologist who will surely be concerned about accuracy, Stratus Precision’s CoCoRaHS-approved rain gauge is a great gift. These rain gauges have been certified for their high degree of accuracy when it comes to rainfall readings. They are used by the CoCoRaHS network of precipitation observers who supply data to a wide variety of organizations and individuals including the National Weather Service, other meteorologists, emergency managers and city utilities.
12. Hand Painted Gnome Rain Gauge
If accuracy is less of a concern for you and you need a gift for the weather buff who likes to spend some time in the garden, then this Hand Painted Gnome Rain Gauge could be a cool gift. The gnome holds a small rain gauge capable of measuring up to 5” of rainfall. We also like the fact that the tube is plastic rather than glass. Many of these smaller decorative rain gauges use glass tubes which can break easily.
13. Rome Grow Old with Me Sundial
The oldest known instrument for telling the time, a sundial, when set up correctly will give you an estimated time of day based on the sun’s angle which casts a shadow pointing to the time on the sundial itself. With Roman numerals and a cast iron baluster pedestal, the Rome Grow Old with Me Sundial will be an eye-catching display in any garden.
14. The Man Who Caught the Storm: The Life of Legendary Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras
This book tells the story of one of history’s greatest storm chasers Tim Samaras. Unfortunately, Tim Samaras, his son Paul, and team member Carl Young were tragically killed by the 2013 El Reno, Oklahoma tornado. Samaras and his team contributed a great deal to meteorologists’ understanding of tornadoes, as well as storm chasing itself. If you’re looking to purchase a gift for a weather enthusiast that has any kind of interest in storm chasing, he or she will find this biography a great read.
15. Storm Chaser: A Photographer’s Journey
Weather photography is an art form, and many storm chasers take thousands of pictures over their lifetimes to document their chases. Jim Reed is one of these people, but his book isn’t just a bunch of pictures. Instead, he tells the story of the hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe weather he’s encountered in terms of these event’s larger meaning within our changing climate.
16. Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History
The hurricane on September 8, 1900, in Galveston, Texas remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The hurricane destroyed the town and killed over 6000 people. Even Issac Cline, a resident meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau in Galveston at the time failed to grasp the true extent of the hurricane that landed on the city that morning. How did the hurricane strike without adequate warning? And why didn’t the newly formed U.S Weather Bureau take this storm seriously? That is the main theme of this non-fiction thriller from author Erik Larson.
17. Weather Guide 2023 Wall Calendar
Calendars make great stocking stuffer gifts at Christmas time. The Weather Guide 2023 Wall Calendar features 34 pages in total. It includes stunning weather photography by storm chasers around the globe, 365 extraordinary on-this-date weather events, record-breaking climatic data, along with all major public and culturally important holidays. We recommend purchasing the Weather Guide Calendar in addition to one of the other gifts in this list.
18. Storm Chasers: Greatest Storms DVD
Dr. Josh Wurman and his team of extreme storm chasers Reed Timmer, Joel Taylor, and IMAX Filmmaker Sean Casey describe their most dangerous and exciting moments over the years in this special feature event from the Discovery Channel reality TV series.
Weather Gifts and Toys for Kids
If you’re looking for a toy or gift for younger science-loving kids and couldn’t find something in the list above try these weather-related gifts and toys for kids.
19. SmartLab Toys You-Track-It Weather Lab
While it obviously won’t have the accuracy of a digital weather station, the You-Track-It Weather Lab is a great way to introduce kids aged 8 and up to meteorology. It includes a functional wind vane, an anemometer, a thermometer, a rain gauge, and a compass. The kit also includes instructions on weather-related challenges, a booklet with weather facts, and a board for tracking measurements.
Recommended Age: 8 and up
20. 4M Weather Science Kit
Another cool weather gift for kids is the 4M Weather Science Kit. It includes six exciting activities that help children understand how real-world weather works. The package provides weather stations for kids. The experiments do require a bit of assembly, so this would be a project that is best done with adult supervision.
Recommended Age: 8 and up
21. Discovery Kids Extreme Weather
The Discovery Kids Extreme Weather Kit gives you everything you need to create your own artificial snow, a tornado vortex, an erupting volcano, and even a solar oven. Some of these experiments may make quite the mess, so again we’d recommend you do these experiments with your kids!
Recommended Age: 12-18 years
22. STEM Starters for Kids Meteorology Activity Book
Another neat weather-related gift for kids is this meteorology activity book from the STEM Starters for Kids collection. The book features easy-to-understand explanations on the science behind the weather along with beautifully designed coloring activities for your child to work through.
Recommended Age: 6-10 years
23. My First Daily Magnetic Calendar
The My First Daily Magnetic Calendar gives young kids control and responsibility by letting them track the weather and the date. The calendar is perfect for preschoolers to help them understand weather, seasons, dates, moods, and emotions. The magnetic backing can hold the calendar securely on a fridge, or you can hang it on a wall.
Recommended Age: 3 and up
24. The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book
Most weather science books are written at a level which may make them hard to understand for children. The Everything KIDS’ Weather Book tries to address that and does it well. It describes in easy to understand terms how the weather works and what causes it. The book was written by a renowned television meteorologist in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Joe Snedeker.
Recommended Age: 7-12 years
25. The Kids’ Book of Weather Forecasting
If your child shows an interest in learning how to forecast the weather, we’d suggest this book. Written by meteorologist Mark Breen, it explains the basics of how the weather works, and how to use what you observe to predict future conditions.
Recommended Age: 7-11 years
26. National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Weather
For younger kids who are in preschool up to grade 3, the National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Weather is the best educational weather book. Like the other books we’ve suggested, it explains the basics of meteorology in simple and easy to understand terms, but where this book is better than the rest is in the photography. Scientific facts and explanations are accompanied by 100 colorful photos that will be sure to capture the attention of a curious young mind.
Recommended Age: 4-8 years
We hope this list has helped you find the perfect present for the weather geek in your life. Thanks for reading!
