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How to Build a personal weather machine

Scenic landscape with mountains, trees, and a calm body of water.

Plug this baby into your FiOS-powered computer and simulate the real-time climate of any location in the country -- rain, lightning, fog, sunshine.

Get creative -- got any new weather effects you've figured out how to add to your Personal Weather Machine? We'd love to hear about 'em on the forums!

MATERIALS:

Weather Window

* Submersible fountain pump (for rain)

* 120-volt relay board

* Safety strobe light (for lightning)

* 1/2" diameter copper pipe

* 2 feet of vinyl tubing (1/2" inside diameter)

* Fog mini-diffuser

* Plexiglas

* Silicone glue

* 18"x24" wood case and wood picture frame

Relay Circuit (to control weather changes)

* 8 Solid State Relays (SSRs)

* 10' bulk wire (14 gauge - 5' of white, 5' of black)

* 14-3 wire (we prefer rubber coated)

* Pig Tail (14 gauge)

* Crimp connectors (optional)

* Machine bolts with nuts

* 120V Indicator (optional)

* 5-10 1/2" wire clamps

* 2 4x4 electrical boxes

* 4 outlets

* Project box (to hold SSRs)

* DB-25 Wire

* Internet connection (FiOS recommended)

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.