Portable ESP32 Weather Station for Hurricane-Prone Island Environments

This model is part of a portable, low-cost meteorological monitoring system developed as a functional prototype for local weather observation in hurricane-prone island environments.

The system is built around an ESP32-based portable measurement unit and a separate ESP32 central receiving station. The portable unit measures wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Data are transmitted wirelessly to the central station using nRF24L01 modules and can be published online through ThingSpeak for remote visualisation.

The 3D-printed parts include the main enclosure, internal supports, and the mechanical components of the custom cup anemometer. The anemometer uses three neodymium magnets mounted on the rotating assembly and a KY-003 Hall-effect sensor module fixed nearby. Each magnet passage generates a pulse, which is counted by the ESP32 and converted into a provisional wind-speed value.

The prototype uses:

- ESP32 development board;

- AHT20 sensor for temperature and relative humidity;

- BMP280 module for atmospheric pressure;

- KY-003 Hall-effect sensor for anemometer pulse detection;

- nRF24L01 module for wireless transmission;

- OLED display for local visualisation;

- two 18650 Li-ion cells with a 2S BMS;

- DC-DC converters for regulated power supply;

- PETG printed enclosure and anemometer parts;

- plexiglass front panel with silicone gasket.

The model is intended for educational, research, and prototype development purposes. It is not a certified meteorological instrument and should not be used as a replacement for official weather stations, navigation safety systems, or emergency warning infrastructure.

The wind-speed calculation is currently provisional and requires calibration against a reference anemometer. The enclosure also provides only prototype-level protection and should be improved before long-term outdoor deployment, especially in rain, salt-air, or severe-weather conditions.

Recommended print material:

PETG is recommended because it offers better temperature and environmental resistance than PLA.

Recommended future improvements:

- improved sealing;

- corrosion-resistant screws and connectors;

- cable glands;

- solar charging;

- local data logging;

- LoRa communication;

- calibrated wind-speed conversion;

- radiation shielding for the temperature and humidity sensor.

This project is connected to the paper “Bridging Amateur Meteorology and Hurricane Monitoring: A Portable Weather Monitoring System for Island Communities”. The full project documentation is available on GitHub, including ESP32 firmware, wiring notes, bill of materials, calibration notes, assembly notes, and development limitations: calinemanuelsebastian/portable-hurricane-weather-station: ESP32-based portable weather station for hurricane-prone island environments, measuring wind speed, temperature, humidity and pressure, with wireless transmission and ThingSpeak visualisation.