Democratizing Weather Data: Web Application Development for Accessible IoT Weather & Heat Index Monitoring with Arduino and Thingspeak

Abstract

In the Philippines' hot and humid climate, heatstroke is a major health concern. This study explored an Arduino-based system for weather & heat index monitoring and public communication methods. Arduino systems deployed in three locations (One Mission Park, Playground, and Gazebo) collected temperature, humidity, and heat index data. Analysis showed the system's potential for consistent heat index monitoring across locations. A web application developed using Angular and NodeJS visualized the collected data and logged it in the Google sheet with data from Thingspeak, where Arduino sent it. While user experience wasn't formally evaluated, the application offers promise for publicly disseminating real-time or historical heat index information. Further research is needed to assess the impact on public awareness and heatstroke prevention strategies. This could involve user surveys and collaboration with public health officials to explore integration with existing heatwave warning systems and educational campaigns. Overall, this research promotes accessible heat index monitoring and public awareness of heatstroke risks in the Philippines.