Weather Watchers

Apparently a 24-hour cable network isn't enough to sate the U.S. craving for weather knowledge. If you absolutely have to know what's going on halfway around the world, or in your own backyard, here are three items that are more accurate than sticking your head out the window.

The Typhoon Sport Watch from Nike ($135) is for everyone who's ever wondered about surf conditions in Casablanca. The Typhoon provides high- and low-tide information for 175 beaches around the world, including the one in Da Nang, Vietnam. Apparently, Colonel Kilgore, Charlie did surf.

The NOAA All Hazards/Weather Emergency Alert Monitor scans all seven channels operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for reports and forecasts. This radio, made by Oregon Scientific, Inc., of Portland, also monitors the U.S. Emergency Alert System and sounds an alarm before an EAS message is broadcast. It costs $69.95; for details, try www.oregonscientific.com.

The Kestrel 2000 Thermo-Anemometer measures temperature, wind speed and windchill. According to its manufacturer, Nielsen-Kellerman of Chester, Pa., the 2000 is useful in sailing, camping, hang gliding and, of course, crop dusting. Coming soon, the Kestrel 3000, which also gauges relative humidity, the heat index and dew point. The 2000 retails for $119. Check it out on the Web at www.kestrel-instruments.com.