Weather stations now come in wireless versions so you do not have to run cables from the sensors to the control panel. Typical Weather stations offer the capability to collect and report on barometric pressure, outside humidity and dew point, daily and yearly rainfall, wind speed and direction, wind chill, outside temperature. Some have other features as well. Wireless units have the ability to transmit the data from the sensor to the weather control station without any wires. They send the signal to the control unit via radio signals. The Davis Vantage Pro will send the signal as far as 1000 feet. Data on the unit is updated in between two to ten seconds so you can really zero in on rapidly changing conditions such as wind speed and direction. These units also allow the user to set alarms so you don't have to constantly monitor the weather, you simply set an alarm and go about your business.