Cumulus Wiki

Cumulus.ini (preserving history)

Revision as of 14:12, 15 March 2020 by Sfws (talk | contribs) (→‎Editing outside Cumulus: clarify Cumulus 1, MX differences)

Initial Configurations

The main configuration file is Cumulus.ini and located in the directory in which you installed Cumulus.exe. If you renamed the executable file to say Cumulus1.exe, then this main configuration file takes that name i.e. Cumulus1.ini. For Cumulus MX, both file-names must start with a capital letter, and all the characters used within the configuration file must be within ASCII range. If you renamed your executable file, you may still find a "cumulus.ini" file created by Cumulus 1 containing a single sectionto record when Cumulus closes where you positioned your Cumulus main screen so next you start Cumulus 1 its main screen can start in same position. For example I have mine on a second screen, and it stays there! A second Cumulus.ini may be stored in the reports sub-directory, this only contains a single section and relates to the screen used for NOAA reports.

It is a text file containing initialization parameters used by the Cumulus 1.x.x, or Cumulus MX, application; and is read only when Cumulus starts up. Cumulus (1 or 2 or MX) creates a new version of this file when it shuts down, so you will see the file shows as 'modified date' the last time that Cumulus was shut down, the file that it creates includes the contents of the application's configuration screens and any parameters that were in the previous file that cannot be configured within Cumulus. Note this may change the order, or add lines, compared to any file that you manually edited. For Cumulus MX only, a back up copy of Cumulus.ini is stored at end of each day (together with some of the log files). If you do need to edit the file, close Cumulus first to ensure you are working on latest file. When Cumulus restarts it will read the file again and see any edits you have made.


The parameters listed can change the look of Cumulus, hold basic information about your location, amend the way Cumulus interfaces with your weather station, and hold the settings used to interface with your website, and with various external websites. The list below was created for Cumulus 1.x.y, and all of it applies to the final formal release; for MX (like any beta) please refer to announcements or the separate page referenced below for any variations. In particular, MX has extended the range of settings for some items and added new items (see here for details.

If you are using an older Cumulus 1 version, then checking the release information may be advisable to identify the sections applicable to your build, and to identify if the parameters allowed within those sections may be a subset of those listed below as available in latest release.

Upgrading to New Build

Installing a new build of Cumulus (whatever version) over the existing installation does not affect this settings file. No build of Cumulus contains a 'Cumulus.ini' file. If Cumulus software detects a 'Cumulus.ini' when it starts, it looks in that for settings; if it does not find the file, then Cumulus will expect you to tell it some settings, others have defaults. See Cumulus Help, release announcement, and other provided documentation for more.

File Structure

The main file consists of a number of sections, each with a heading delimited by '[ ]', (although the order in the file may be different to that in this article). Parameter lines are in the form 'attribute=value' and grouped by those sections.

Some sections relate to the external websites that Cumulus can optionally supply with updates. These are set by configuration screens and the whole sections will always be present. If you do not use those external services their parameters will be set to the defaults.

Each new version of cumulus may add additional parameters set by revised configuration screens (these initially appear at the end of the relevant section), and/or permit additional parameters to be added manually (these can be inserted anywhere within the section).


Completeness of this list

If you spot a parameter that is missing from this list (check you are looking in the right section, and under the correct sub-heading where a section is sub-divided for ease of using this article), then please add it to this Wiki article. None of the authors who have contributed so far can claim completeness. Sometimes a search on the forum for something else reveals a mention of an additional parameter that can be added to the file but has not been previously added to this list.

There have been over a thousand builds of Cumulus version 1 and much of this article has been written based on experience in using Cumulus, it may not reflect every parameter that can be manually added to the file, although it does reflect all those linked with settings made on various screens.

Beta builds

There are no beta builds of either Cumulus 1 or Cumulus MX. Although much of the content is identical (and shown below), there are differences between this configuration file for Cumulus 1 as shown here and for MX, the differences for MX are given in this article.

When there is a beta build, there may be changes to the information shown below with additional sections and/or additional parameters (attribute=value) under test. Brief details of such changes will be given in the support forum announcement for the relevant build. New sections and/or attributes and/or values for beta versions of Cumulus are not listed here until the version becomes 'live', but for details of beta tests see the forum.

CURRENTLY CUMULUS MX specific parameters are listed on another page.

Editing the file

Initialisation

When Cumulus 1.x.y is run for the very first time, the Station settings screen within the Configuration menu is displayed, so that the basic minimum settings can be entered into a 'Cumulus.ini' that it will then create. Should you accidentally delete Cumulus.ini this would happen again, so it is always best to take a backup of the complete Cumulus directory and sub-directories so nothing is lost in such a situation.

For Cumulus MX, again when it is run for first time, unless it has been given a Cumulus.ini file created for Cumulus 1, you will need to set some settings. However, Cumulus MX does save a back up automatically at the end of each day.

See Setup for further advice, noting in particular that some settings (such as units, date/time formats) should stay unchanged, because if you do change those you will need to edit all the other files that Cumulus creates to reflect those changes.

Settings controlled by application

Many configuration parameter lines are changed from the various application edit, view, or configuration screens, and so making any amendments using those screens should ensure your replacement values are acceptable. You should never edit these parameter lines directly in the file while Cumulus is running, as when Cumulus shuts down it will replace your amendments to these parameters with the contents of the relevant application Edit/View/Configuration screens.


You can edit them in the file with Cumulus stopped, but beware of selecting invalid values for these parameters, generally it is safer to use the application to edit them (unless you are importing values from another setup), and Cumulus will read the new values when it is next restarted.

Settings independent of application

Some configuration settings can only be applied by editing this file to insert a new parameter line; they do not appear anywhere in the configuration screens. Cumulus does not write these values back out to the file on shut down, so they do not appear with default values - in other words, you need to add them if you want to set them. Make sure you place these additional parameters in the correct section as listed below.

Editing outside Cumulus

  • If you are using Cumulus 1, it is best to take a copy of the existing cumulus.ini file before you make any changes (either by using application screens or by editing the file), so you can return to the original if necessary. MX automatically takes back ups, so you can return to an earlier version if necessary
  • If your system is configured to use a comma for a decimal separator, then you should use a comma in any decimal values that you set in this file.
  • You should use a simple text editor (not a rich text editor nor word processor) to edit this file as only letters, numerical digits, decimal separators and the equals symbol are allowed in any parameter. If you use a spreadsheet program to make use of the manipulation it offers, ensure it is set to output in pure text.
  • The parameter lines (attribute=value) can be in any order, but must be in the correct section. You might find it helpful to sort the attributes within a section into alphabetical order, to ensure you have no duplicates and to make it easier to find the particular parameter line you may wish to edit in the future.

File Contents

Introduction

The entries shown in the 'parameter line entry' column include the default value from the configuration screen where applicable, a typical example value where appropriate, or just the attribute and an equals sign where there is no typical value. The section called "[FTP site]" should obey that use of capitals and lower-case.

Section: Station

See individual parameters for specific instructions on setting them. In many cases this is by using Station Configuration Screen, but if the parameter line does not exist in your file, then insert it using a file editor as per instructions above.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
Type= -1 Station Type as set by the checked radio box in the Station Configuration Screen, Station Type block. For details of Supported_Devices click that link.
  • -1= default value, indicates a selection from those below must be made
  • 0=Vantage Pro station
  • 1=Vantage Pro2 station
  • 2=WMR-928 station
  • 3=WM-918 station

For Oregon Scientific stations and similar re-badged stations (Huger, Radio Shack etc) which have a serial port connection, if your model is not listed, try WM-918 if your station has wired connections, and WMR-928 if it is wireless.

  • 4=Reading from file EasyWeather.dat (using EasyWeather software version 6.2, or earlier, running continuously with Cumulus). Fine Offset weather stations that record Solar and UV measurements output to EasyWeatherPlus.dat file when Easyweather software version 6.x is running. This has the same fields as easyweather.dat, plus two extra fields for Solar and UV data at the end, and so Cumulus can understand the fields you must also have LogExtraSensors=1 set.

NOTE: You can also use Type=4 if you want to run Cumulus with reduced functionality without a weather station attached, to view historical observations. A full set of (historic) files in the data subfolder copied from a system with a weather station attached is needed, but in this case, the EWFile= attribute should be at its default of not having any filename value.

  • 5=Fine Offset/Watson/MyDEL/Nevada, etc (without solar measurement sensors (with or without solar recharging))
  • 6=WS2300 (For all La Crosse WS23xx models)
  • 7=Fine Offset/Watson/MyDel etc with Solar Sensors
  • 8=WMR100
  • 9=WMR200
  • 10=Instromet (with optional extra solar sensors or without)
Model="your Model description" The weather station model description - you choose what text appears for this on (from version 1.9.x) 'Display' settings screen within Configuration menu - the field is at the bottom left of that screen).
Port=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block. Com port in your computer which is connected to your weather station if connected via a serial port. Defaults to port 0.
Latitude=0 You are advised not to directly edit this parameter in the file, but to type Latitude (unsigned) Degrees, Minutes, Seconds and select 'N' or 'S' in the Station Configuration Screen Location block. Value in this parameter is Latitude in Decimal Degrees based on what you have entered, Positive for North, Negative for South
Longitude=0 You are advised not to directly edit this parameter in the file, but to type Longitude (unsigned) Degrees, Minutes, Seconds and select 'E' or 'W' in the Station Configuration Screen Location block. Value in this parameter is Longitude in Decimal Degrees based on what you have entered, Positive for East, Negative for West
LatTxt= You are advised not to directly edit this parameter in the file, but to type Latitude Degrees, Minutes, Seconds in the Station Configuration Screen Location block. Latitude in text string format of hemisphere D, M and S. HTML ampersand codes are used for spaces and unit characters.
LonTxt= Longitude in text string format of hemisphere degrees, minutes and seconds. HTML ampersand codes are used for spaces and DMS characters.
Altitude=0 your station altitude (default is zero) as entered in the Station Configuration Screen Location block. See Cumulus Help for that screen. See next parameter to choose unit.
AltitudeInFeet=1 Altitude measurement unit for value in previous parameter is set in the Station Configuration Screen Location block.
  • 0 = metres Above Sea Level
  • 1 = feet ASL
PeakGustMinutes=N This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. This line can be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini.
  • With this parameter, N is the number of minutes over which Cumulus calculates its highest wind gust.
  • Without this parameter, the default of 10 minutes, the international standard duration, is used.
  • If you select 60, then Cumulus would calculate rolling 60-minute highest wind gust speeds.
  • To be in line with met stations in Cz, select 30.
AvgSpeedMinutes=N This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. This line can be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini, if you have set the next parameter so that Cumulus does its own calculation of average wind speed.
  • With this parameter, N is the number of minutes over which Cumulus calculates its average speed, if you have Cumulus set to do this with the next parameter enabled.
  • Without it, the default of 10 minutes, the international standard duration, is used if Cumulus is set to calculate average wind speeds.
  • If you selected 60, then Cumulus would calculate rolling 60-minute average wind speeds.
  • To be in line with ASOS stations in USA, select 2.
Wind10MinAverage=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled (default), Cumulus will display the value supplied by the station. This is a 10 minute average for Davis stations, but an average over a shorter period for Oregon Scientific and Fine Offset stations, see FAQ#Cumulus_is_showing_a_different_wind_speed_compared_to_my_console.
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will calculate and display a N-minute average wind speed where N is defined by the previous parameter if present, otherwise defaults to 10, the international standard duration used to calculate average wind speeds.
UseSpeedForAvgCalc=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled (default), Cumulus will display the average wind speed value supplied by the station, see FAQ#Cumulus_is_showing_a_different_wind_speed_compared_to_my_console.
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will use the longer-term 'speed' values in the average speed calculation. The preceding 'Wind10MinAverage' option must be enabled for this parameter to have any effect.

Note that there isn't really any point enabling this option for Davis stations, as their 'longer-term speed' is a 10 minute average anyway; neither for La Crosse stations, as they only supply one wind speed anyway.

RoundWindSpeed=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled (default), Cumulus will display the wind speed value to the precision used by the station.
  • 1 = Enabled, this setting causes wind speeds to be rounded to the nearest integer.
AvgBearingMinutes=N This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. This line can be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini, with this parameter N is the number of minutes over which Cumulus calculates (by treating the wind as a vector and taking into account the speed as well as direction) its average bearing. Without it, the default sampling time = 10 minutes. Note the max number of wind samples stored by Cumulus is 720, so the maximum effective value for N for Fine Offset stations that are read every 10 seconds is 120 (2 hours) while for Davis stations that are sampled every 2 to 3 seconds the maximum effective value is only about 30 (minutes).

See next parameter for behavoir when calm.

UseZeroBearing=0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled, Cumulus displays the current bearing read from the station (i.e. the last direction the wind was blowing from before it became calm). Note that the average wind bearing will always display zero bearing if there has been no wind for the last N minutes (where N is defined by previous parameter if present but defaults to 10), as the average bearing takes wind speed into account.
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus display a bearing of zero (and '---' for the compass point) when the wind is calm (note when not calm, bearing is 360 for true North)
CalculatedDP=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled, Cumulus will display the dew point value supplied by the station.
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will calculate the dew point instead. This avoids the restriction in the Oregon Scientific stations where the dew point can never be below freezing point.
CalculatedWC=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will calculate the wind chill instead of using the value supplied by the station. You should set this if you have specified any calibration values for wind and/or temperature, so that Cumulus can also apply those adjustments to the wind chill.

Note that some stations (Fine Offset, for example), do not make a wind chill value available to Cumulus. For these, Cumulus always calculates it.

UseWindChillCutOff=1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed. Purpose is to disable 'calculate Wind chill only if temperature less than 10°C rule'.
  • 0 = Disabled, Cumulus will use any wind speed of 3 mph or more, to modify the temperature, and determine the wind chill ignoring the temperature criterion
  • 1 = Enabled (default), Cumulus will use both 10°C temperature and 3 mph wind speed criterions to determine if wind chill applies.

Note if your station is a type that supplies wind chill to Cumulus; that CalculatedWC=1 is needed for this setting to have any effect [i.e. you need to set Cumulus (see parameter directly above) to calculate the wind chill as this setting cannot change how your weather station calculates wind chill].

ChillHourThreshold=45 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. The temperature threshold is specified in the units that you use in Cumulus (see Heat/cold_degree_days_and_Chill_hours). The default is exactly 45 degrees Fahrenheit (or exactly 7 degrees Celsius depending on which units you use) if the parameter has not been included.
ChillHourSeasonStart=10 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. The season start figure is the calendar month number (1=January to 12= December). The default if this parameter is not specified is October (month 10).
RolloverHour=0 Log roll over time as selected on the Station Configuration Screen
  • 0 = midnight
  • 9 = 9am/10am
Use10amInSummer=1 Daylight saving correction for 9am roll over
  • 0 = Use 9am in summer (use 10am not checked on Station Configuration Screen)
  • 1 = Use 10am in summer selected on Station Configuration Screen
SnowDepthHour=9 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed. This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini, it is the Snow lying/falling roll over time (time when yesterday's values in log.xml are forgotten) - Allowed values are 0 to 23 and represent the time to the nearest hour that snow depth measurements are taken.
  • 0 = midnight (default)
  • 9 = 9am,
  • 13 = 1pm etc.

Note this time is independent of your rollover time selections in the two preceding parameters.

WarnMultiple=0 Set as 'Stop 2nd instance' in the Station Configuration Screen Program Settings block. Controls behavoir for Multiple Instances of Cumulus running on PC. Requires a Cumulus restart if value toggled, before new behavoir will take effect.
  • 0 = Disabled, (default) Multiple instances allowed.
  • 1 = Enabled, prevents multiple instances of Cumulus from running.
ConfirmClose=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Program Settings block. Toggles Confirmation you wish to close Cumulus application after telling it to close
  • 0 = Disabled, application will close immediately
  • 1 = Enabled, application will prompt for confirmation that you wish to close it (do not use this if you might suspend/standby/hibernate your computer)
CloseOnSuspend=1 If this is selected, in the Station Configuration Screen Program Settings block, Cumulus will close if you suspend/standby/hibernate your computer. You should not select the previous parameter 'ConfirmClose' if you use this option.
  • 0 = Disabled, application will not close if you suspend/standby/hibernate your computer (it is highly recommended you close Cumulus manually before your computer is put into suspend/standby/hibernate state)
  • 1 = Enabled, application will close on suspend/standby/hibernate of your computer (recommended if your computer can go into any of these states when left alone)
DataLogInterval=2 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Data log interval block on the right hand side and defines frequency of logged information in the Monthly_log_files and, when applicable, in Extra_Sensor_Files.
  • 0 = 1 min
  • 1 = 5 mins
  • 2 = 10 mins (default)
  • 3 = 15 mins
  • 4 = 20 mins
  • 5 = 30 mins

Notes:

  • For a Davis station set to match your station logging interval. (Otherwise you may activate the 'feature' in the Davis stations where they send the entire contents of the data logger when Cumulus asks for the data since it was last running). See Readme.txt.
  • For some station Types, Cumulus only reads latest readings while it is running, and missing station readings are not captured if Cumulus is restarted.
  • For other makes as Cumulus on restarting is able (see next parameter) to read logged data from your station you can choose to match Cumulus and station logging intervals, then the frequency of logged information will be same regardless of whether Cumulus is running continuously or restarted (this improves accuracy of any averages calculated).
  • Some Cumulus users set this Cumulus logging interval to be one of the two shorter times so they retain the maximum measurement detail in case of any need to correct rogue measurements, but have set their station logging interval at a longer time so that the station does not overwrite the memory locations over the longest period they might be away. In this case, the frequency of logged information will change between the periods Cumulus is running and the catch-up readings from station logger when it is restarted.
UseDataLogger=1 Cumulus 1.x.y: Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.

Cumulus MX: This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file in the [station] section, it does not appear on the settings screen.

  • 0 = Disabled, at start-up, Cumulus will not download data from the station's data logger (if it has one) but just start with next observations.
  • 1 = Enabled (Default), at start-up Cumulus will download data from the station's data logger (if it has one) to catch up from the point where Cumulus was last shut down. See last parameter for advice re station logging interval.
WindUnit=0 Wind speed measurement unit used by Cumulus (as selected in the Units block of Station settings screen within Configuration menu)
  • 0 = m/s
  • 1 = mph
  • 2 = km/h
  • 3 = kts

These are the labels that Cumulus applies on its screens and web pages, most weather stations work in one unit (e.g. dm/s for Fine Offset) and so the values are converted to any of the 4 listed during processing

PressureUnit=0 Pressure_Measurement unit used by Cumulus (as selected in the Units block of Station settings screen within Configuration menu)
  • 0 = mb
  • 1 = hPa
  • 2 = in

These are the labels that Cumulus applies on its screens and web pages, most weather stations work in one unit (e.g. hPa for Fine Offset) and so the values are converted to any of the 3 listed during processing

RainUnit=0 Rain_measurement unit used by Cumulus (as selected in the Units block of Station settings screen within Configuration menu)
  • 0 = mm
  • 1 = in

These are the labels that Cumulus applies on its screens and web pages, most weather stations work in one unit (e.g. dm for Fine Offset) and so the values are converted to either of the 2 listed during processing

TempUnit=0 Temperature measurement unit used by Cumulus (as selected in the Units block of Station settings screen within Configuration menu)
  • 0 = Celsius
  • 1 = Fahrenheit

These are the labels that Cumulus applies on its screens and web pages, most weather stations work in one unit (e.g. for Fine Offset a positive integer (a 12 bit value) that uses 0 at -40 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit and 500 at 10 degrees Celsius/50 degrees Fahrenheit; i.e. you get the actual temperature in Celsius by subtracting 400 and dividing by 10) and so the values are converted to either of the 2 listed during processing

LocName= Location Name (as entered on the Station settings screen within Configuration menu) - used for title of tab in browser and main heading on each standard web page
LocDesc= Location Description (as entered on the Station settings Screen within Configuration menu) - inserted after 'Welcome to ' on 'Now' web page.
StartDate=13/08/2009 This parameter is automatically inserted into cumulus.ini and given a value when Cumulus is first run. By default this will be set to the date of initial installation of the Cumulus application. See FAQ#I_have_inserted_pre-Cumulus_data_making_.27Records_began_on.27_date_wrong
CreateWxnowTxt=0 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file in the [station] section, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed.
  • 0= turn off creation of wxnow.txt file (stored in main Cumulus folder)
  • 1= (default) create wxnow.txt file (an alternative way to get data to CWOP/APRS)
ListWebTags=0 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file in the [station] section, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed.
  • 0= (default) turn off creation of WebTags.txt file (stored in main Cumulus folder)
  • 1= create WebTags.txt file when Cumulus is restarted (contains an unordered list of all the web tags Cumulus can recognise)
LastLoggerDownload=13/08/2008 12:48:52 The date/time of the last down load from your weather station (note: no longer used, so only present if you used an earlier Cumulus version); see <#LastDataReadT> for similar functionality
RainSeasonStart=1 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block. The month (1 to 12) of the year that is used as the start of the annual 'rain season'. Default = 1 meaning January.
YTDrain=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block. Year to date correction if starting part way through rainfall year (see previous parameter). Value is entered in your current Rain_measurement units. Default is 0.
YTDrainyear=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block. The year for which the previous parameter (YTDrain) is to be applied. Default is 0 meaning not applied to any year.
RainDayThreshold=-1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed. The threshold value which the daily rainfall has to equal or exceed for the day to be considered a 'rain day'. Default -1 = 0.2mm or 0.01in. Value is entered in your current Rain_measurement units.
NoFlashWetDryDayRecords=1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. When set to 1 stops new Longest Wet/Dry Period records being 'flashed'
UseCumulusForecast=0 From the Station Configuration Screen Forecast block, if selected Cumulus will generate a simple weather Zambretti forecast, if your station does not supply a forecast, or as an alternative to the one supplied by your station. See the Forecast webtag for more information. See next parameter for interval between forecast updates.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled
HourlyForecast=0 From the Station Configuration Screen Forecast block 'update hourly' parameter, applies only if Cumulus is set (see previous parameter) to generate a forecast (see FAQ#My_forecast_says_.22Not_available.22),
  • 0 = Disabled, (default) Cumulus will use Zambretti Forecaster every time it updates the web pages.
  • 1 = Enabled, this setting causes the forecast to be updated only once an hour (on the hour).
UseCumulusPresstrendstr=0 Set in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block. If selected Cumulus will generate the name for the current pressure trend, e.g. "Falling", "Rising quickly" etc, instead of the one supplied by your station. The names used are those in the UK Shipping Forecast. Note that some stations do not supply this anyway, so setting this has no effect (Cumulus always generates the names for those stations).
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
FCPressureThreshold=0.1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. It specifies the threshold (in mb per hour averaged over 3-hour period) for a pressure change to count as rising or falling rather than steady when determining the Zambretti forecast. The default is 0.1 mb/hr averaged over the previous three hours. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed.
FCpressinMB=1 Forecast pressure unit as selected in the Forecast block in the bottom right of Station settings screen off Configuration menu. The units you use here are not related to the units you use for pressure (PressureUnit=x parameter earlier) in Cumulus; the option is given here simply as a convenience for the next two parameters.
  • 0 = inches of mercury
  • 1 = mb
FClowpress=950 Low Pressure extreme limit (in units specified by previous parameter) as entered in the Forecast block in the bottom right of Station settings screen off Configuration menu, using either millibars or inches of mercury. Default is 950mb
FChighpress=1050 High Pressure extreme limit as entered in the same Forecast block as last 2 parameters. Default is 1050mb
CloudBaseInFeet=1 Cloud base measurement unit as selected in the display screen within configuration menu
  • 0 = metres
  • 1 = feet (default)
RTdisconnectcount=N This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. By default, the 'realtime' ftp connection stays connected. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed. You can make it disconnect periodically by adding an Option to periodically disconnect the realtime FTP connection, the theory being that it will not get stuck if the server dies, and will keep trying to reconnect.

N must be a positive integer. For example set N to '60'; it represents the number of realtime ftp uploads between disconnections - so 60 would give an hour if 1 minute realtime interval selected.

Logging=1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. Add to cumulus.ini [Station] section to have Cumulus start with debug logging on
SpecialLog=1 This optional parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default of no special log is assumed. Add this entry to start updating a file called 'speciallog.txt' in the data folder with the following fields:

date(dd/mm/yy),time(hh:mm),inside temp,inside humidity,inside dewpoint,outside temp,outside humidity,outside dewpoint

See forum

ErrorLogSpikeRemoval=0 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. ??keeps the number of messages in the error log window to a maximum of 256?
UVdecimals=0 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen.

UV values are now displayed and logged as whole numbers by default. You can change this by adding this entry specifying the number of decimal places. (added 1.9.3 build 1038)

  • 0 = Integer Values (default)
  • n = Number of decimal places e.g. 1
NoSensorCheck=1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. If the parameter is not included in the file, the default value is assumed.

The option (for 'incomplete' stations) to disable the sensor check described in this FAQ

  • 0 = Sensor check enabled (default)
  • 1 = Sensor check disabled

Davis family specific:

"The DLL" is a Windows Dynamic Link Library supplied by Davis for third parties to use when writing software for Davis stations.

It handles fetching data from the console, and does all kinds of useful things like converting the data into the units you require.

These settings apply to Cumulus 1.9.x, check with release notes for your version and previous versions to see all settings applicable to any earlier version you use.

ADDITIONAL CUMULUS MX parameters - see beta page here. Some of the settings below apply to Cumulus MX too, but check the MX support forum.

  • For example 'Port=' is specific to Cumulus 1.
  • 'DavisRainCollectorModel' is not available to Cumulus MX users as that does not use the DLL interface.
  • At time of writing "RestartIfDataStops" is not available to MX users.
Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
DavisRainCollectorModel=X This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. (Available from Build 1096 of version 1.9.4)

Option to specify rain collector model for Davis stations for situations where the Davis DLL is unable to read it from station, and your rain figures in Cumulus are incorrect as a result (can happen when using Virtual VP, for example). Value X is an integer from 0 to 5 with the following meanings:

  • 0 = 0.1 inch
  • 1 = 0.01 inch
  • 2 = 0.2 mm
  • 3 = 1 mm
  • 4 = 'other' inch
  • 5 = 'other' mm

Davis have not documented what calculations the DLL does for options 4 and 5. If this line is not included in cumulus.ini the DLL will use whatever type the station tells it to use

ForceVPBarUpdate=0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block. Select to force the Vantage Pro (and Pro2) barometer to update once a minute instead of the default 15 minutes. Note that you may not need this, more recent stations already update every minute
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
SyncDavisClock=0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block where called Synchronize station clock.

When set, at Cumulus start-up and at a fixed time (default 04:00, see next parameter) each day, Cumulus will set the Davis VP/VP2 clock to within a minute of the same time as the PC. (From build 3015 for MX).

  • 0 = Disabled, default (as deselected on the Station Configuration Screen)
  • 1 = Enabled, ensures that when Cumulus asks the station for data since time X, both recognise X!
ClockSettingHour=4 Configuration file only setting, controls what hour of the day the SyncDavisClock activity will take place if it is enabled.
  • 4 = 04:00 (default value)
  • 0-23 = 00:00 to 23:00
VP2ConnectionType=1 Weather station connection type that is selected in the Station Configuration Screen Davis type block
  • 0 = serial (see next parameter to specify COM port)
  • (1 = usb - setting no longer available on screen, remains as default in cumulus.ini for those not using a Davis)
  • 2 = TCP/IP (see later parameters to specify ports)

Default is type 1, i.e. neither option on screen selected, so if you use a Davis you must select either serial or TCP/IP..

Port=0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Serial Port block.

Identifies COM Port used if Davis type is serial. Default is 0.

VP2TCPPort=22222 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Davis TCP/IP Settings block.

Comunications port used if VP type has TCP/IP selected. Default is 2222

VP2IPAddr=0.0.0.0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Davis TCP/IP Settings block.

Weather station IP address if VP type has TCP/IP selected. Default is 0.0.0.0

VP2SleepInterval=500 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen.

This is the period which Cumulus waits between reads of the data from Davis stations, the value is in milliseconds. The default is 500 ms; if you suspect that data is being missed, you could try reducing this figure. For VirtualVP users, tests revealed that VP2SleepInterval = 1100 seems to work the best. It updates every two seconds with few exceptions. See note in readme.txt about VP2SleepInterval - in v1.9.3 release it is around line 50. Related FAQ: FAQ#My_Davis_station_shows_a_higher_maximum_wind_speed_than_Cumulus

VPClosedownTime=x This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. x is the number of seconds after the start of the re-connect attempts that you want the program to close itself (added v.1.8.5 b.726).
VP2PeriodicDisconnectInterval=0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block with the Discon period value.

When the clock minute changes, Cumulus stops the current stream of data from the console, disconnects, waits for the specified number of milliseconds, to allow the Weatherlink IP to briefly connect to the Davis Weatherlink site. Cumulus then attempts to reconnect.

Set it to zero to disable, if you are not using the Weatherlink site.

DavisCalcAltPress=1 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen. Davis stations calculate Sea Level Pressure from Station Pressure using a formula based on several parameters such as temperature, humidity, etc, rather than just using altitude as most other stations. CWOP require 'Altimeter Pressure' to be uploaded, i.e. a value calculated simply using altitude.

Note for MX, use of the LOOP2 (see here) means s.l.p. can be obtained from the Davis station.

The following note applies to Cumulus 1.x.x: The station does not provide this value directly, nor the station pressure, so Cumulus 1.x.x has to read some extra data once a minute in order to do the calculation. This can take several seconds, so it means that a 'normal' data reading may be missed.

If you don't use CWOP, or you are happy for Cumulus to send Sea-Level pressure to CWOP (the difference is small unless you are at high altitude), set this value to 0. Cumulus will then use the Sea-Level Pressure value instead of the Cumulus calculated Altimeter Pressure.

  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled (default)
LogExtraSensors=0 This is set in the Settings block on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu. Set this to 1 if you have additional sensors (e.g. a Davis Leaf Wetness probe) to make Cumulus read, display, and log the readings from the sensors. You don't select this for Solar/UV sensors.
RestartIfDataStops=0 This parameter (attribute=value) is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen.

Cumulus 1 attempts to restart itself if it has had no data from the station for 60 seconds. Davis stations can use this option explained in the La Crosse table if Cumulus sometimes fails to read information from the logger. As it says in the help, it may not fix the connection problem, but at least it stops Cumulus logging, so once you have fixed the problem it will download the missing data when you start it up again.

Introduced for problems with Fine Offset family:

  • These parameters were introduced for Cumulus to cope with Fine Offset stations and their clones, but a few of the parameters below may be found to be useful more widely.
  • Some parameters are set on screens, other attributes do not appear in the cumulus.ini file unless they are added using an external editor, but the values still have a recommended default value as explained below.
Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
RestartIfUnplugged=0 This is set in the settings frame on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu.
  • 0 = Disabled, default i.e. deselected on the Station Configuration Screen
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will restart if it detects that a Fine Offset station is unplugged. Note: Unless the station has been manually plugged in again, a Cumulus restart has no benefit; normally the station should be checked to be plugged in before Cumulus is ever started and the station then left plugged in.
SyncFOReads=0 This is set in the settings frame on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu.
  • 0 = Synchronisation disabled, default (Cumulus reads the memory without taking into account when memory is being updated)
  • 1 = Re-synchronizes once each day, to avoid reading memory at time of memory update

A Fine Offset station will be writing to its memory every 48 or 60 seconds (depending on model); Cumulus can attempt once a day to identify when this update of memory occurs, and thereafter try not to read the memory at update time, by using what is called a synchronisation mode of operation. See next parameter.

FOReadAvoidPeriod=3 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section if you wish to change the default, this parameter used to fine-tune the previous parameter.
  • 3 = default value

Sets the interval (in seconds) during each 48 (or 60 for some models) second of station logging period when Cumulus will avoid reading the station data to try and minimise lock ups. If the clock drifts more than this value in 24 hours, then Cumulus may cause the station to lock up when reading the data. The actual station clock drift gets logged to the diags file when the re-synchronise (see last parameter) takes place, this will give an idea of whether it would be useful to adjust this setting.

ReportLostSensorContact=0 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section
  • 0 = reporting off
  • 1 = reporting on (default)

Option to turn off reporting of 'lost sensor contact' for Fine Offset stations. (added Cumulus 1.9.4 b.1070)

EWdisablecheckinit=0 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section if application gets stuck when Cumulus starts up connected to a Fine Offset (clone) station (added Cumulus version 1.9.2, build 1011).


EWduplicatecheck=0 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section if application gets stuck in the download stage.

Introduced in version 1.8.5 (b.630) to deal with certain bytes being given the same value in first and second line.

  • 0 = Disabled, default, Cumulus accepts all bytes from the Fine Offset station's memory.
  • 1 = Ignores part of memory (see this forum thread).

For example one problem is that "55 AA" repeats at the start of the second line of data. Those bytes are only supposed to appear at the start of the first line (or so I am told).

EWpressureoffset=x.y Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section

Got a pressure problem with a Fine Offset station when the pressure 'offset' that Cumulus reads is garbage, so Cumulus just uses zero?

Tell Cumulus 1.?.? (not yet coded in MX) what offset to use, by using an external text editor to insert this parameter where x.y is your pressure offset in in mb or hPa [i.e. your station (absolute) pressure subtracted from the sea-level (relative) pressure].

Spike Removal

  • 7 of the 10 spike removal parameters listed below are adjusted in the frame at the bottom of the Calibration screen, off Configuration menu, they have a prefix of EW because they were introduced for dealing with problems seen in the Fine Offset family; the corrections are only applied when Cumulus is reading directly from the station at a very frequent interval, spike removal does not apply when Cumulus is re-started and is transferring observations from the station logger to the Cumulus monthly log.
  • The other 3 spike removal parameters have to be entered directly in cumulus.ini, none of these ones can be set on the 'calibration' screen.
  • As Cumulus does not check station type before applying any of these settings, ensure for Davis stations (these do not have spike problems) the spike removal filters are set to the defaults shown below.
  • However, spike removal correction may be implemented for La Crosse stations, they can have problems with their PC interface, using the same EW filter settings listed below.
Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
EWMaxRainTipDiff=30 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section

Cumulus (1 and MX) has a configurable threshold for the maximum feasible amount of rain between updates (i.e. within 48-seconds on Fine Offset stations without solar, 60 seconds on those measuring solar), set in units of count of tips. Default=30 tips, as each tip represents 0.3mm this is equivalent to 9 mm or just over a third of an inch in 48 seconds. This setting affects rain rate, rain last hour, rain so far today (and what is recorded in today.ini/dayfile.txt), but does not affect the web tag <#r24hour>.

EWmaxHourlyRain=999 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu.

An hourly rain count 'spike removal' filter for weather stations that do not supply this figure so Cumulus has to calculate it. Any changes in calculated value, between one calculation and the next, greater than the value specified here will be ignored by Cumulus when it calculates the hourly rain total. Cumulus ignores this parameter if the weather station directly supplies this figure to Cumulus. 999 is the default indicating no spike removal required.

EWmaxRainRate=999 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu.

A rain rate 'spike removal' filter, changes in calculated value, between one calculation and the next, greater than the value specified here (set in calibration screen of configuration menu) will be ignored by Cumulus when it calculates the rain rate. Cumulus ignores this parameter for other makes of weather station (they supply a rain rate to Cumulus). The default value of 999 also effectively makes Cumulus ignore spike removal.

EWgustdiff=999.0 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu. A wind gust 'spike removal' filter, changes in calculated value between one calculation and the next, greater than the value (always metres per second) specified here (with a default of 999.0) will be ignored by Cumulus.
EWwinddiff=999.0 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu.. A wind speed 'spike removal' filter, changes in calculated value between one calculation and the next greater than the value (always metres per second) specified here (with a default of 999.0) will be ignored by Cumulus
EWpressurediff=999.0 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu. A pressure change 'spike removal' filter, changes in read value, from one reading to the next, off any station greater than the value (always mb) specified here (with a default of 999.0) will be ignored by Cumulus
EWminpressureMB=900 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section

Cumulus will ignore all pressure readings from the station that are less than this value (units are always hPa/millibars)

EWmaxpressureMB=1200 Add this line to cumulus.ini [Station] section

Cumulus will ignore all pressure readings from the station that are greater than this value (units are always hPa/millibars).

EWTempdiff=999.0 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu. A temperature change 'spike removal' filter.

Replace default of 999.0 with the maximum difference in degrees Celsius (the units Cumulus uses for all calculations regardless of what you select for display) you are prepared to accept between successive data readings.

EWhumiditydiff=999.0 This is set in the spike removal frame on the Calibration settings screen off the configuration menu. A humidity change 'spike removal' filter, changes in read value from any station greater than the value (as %) specified here (with a default of 999.0) will be ignored by Cumulus.


Requiring Cumulus to read Easyweather.dat instead of a station directly perhaps for Stations not recognised by Cumulus

  • Stations not recognised by Cumulus may be set to create an EasyWeather_Format file. For these the first two (or three) parameters below are mandatory.
Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
EWInterval=0 This parameter is entered in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0= Default, meaning not applicable
  • n= any positive decimal value representing Easyweather version 6.2, or earlier, logging interval in minutes (used for reading single latest observations from Easyweather software output). Note to specify seconds, use decimal minutes, e.g. 30 seconds = 0.5

Note: If you have not set Station Type to 4, then Cumulus ignores this parameter, i.e. it only applies if Cumulus needs to know how often to read a new record from the easyweather.dat file.

EWFile= This is set in the settings frame on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu.
  • Easyweather.dat or EasyWeatherPlus.dat file path/name as entered in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block (Station Type is set to 4). Note: This approach is viewed as outdated, it was used if obsolete EasyWeather software version 6.2, or earlier, was running at same time as Cumulus software, both ran all the time, and Cumulus was required to simply process the latest record on the database, at the interval set in previous parameter, without all the additional processing Cumulus is able to do if it is reading directly from the console very frequently.
  • (attribute and equals sign, but no value)= Default (Station Type not set to 4). Note: This is the default when Cumulus is operating normally.
  • (attribute and equals sign, but no value)= Default (Station Type is set to 4). Note: If you want to run Cumulus without an attached weather station (because your station has a fault or because you have a second PC), it is possible to run Cumulus with station Type=4 but with the default of no file specified in this parameter. The full Cumulus directory structure and its files including those in the data sub-directory are needed (kept from when your station was working or copied from the PC with the station). Although only the old observations can be accessed, (no new ones are being added), this does allow analysis of the old observations via all Cumulus features such as View This period and View Select-A-Graph. See FAQ here for reduced functionality using Cumulus in this way.
LogExtraSensors=0 This is set in the settings frame on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled; Use if you a) have Fine Offset models (generally those models 3xyz) with Solar/UV sensors, and b) Type=4 set in that parameter (see top of [station] section), and c) EWFile=path/EasyWeatherPlus.dat set in previous parameter. Only relevant if all these conditions met.

Note: Cumulus uses this parameter to determine where to find each observation (e.g. outside temperature, wind speed, humidity etc.) in the latest file record. If you set this parameter wrong, Cumulus will assign what it finds in various field locations wrongly and therefore it is highly likely that temperatures, wind speeds and everything else will appear to have many rogue values in Cumulus but look okay on the weather station console display.

This parameter is also used for other makes of weather station, see the relevant section for your make as the parameter is used differently.

Oregon Scientific specific:

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
Humidity98Fix=0 Selected in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, humidity displayed and recorded as 100% if your sensor registers a relative humidity of 98% or greater. Normally only useful for Oregon Scientific stations.
LogExtraSensors=0 This is set in the settings frame on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu by the Extra Sensors selection.
  • 0=Disabled (default)
  • 1= Enabled - Used for Oregon Scientific WMR-928 and similar stations if you have additional sensors (e.g. another temperature probe) to make Cumulus read, display, and log the readings from those sensors. You don't use this for Solar/UV sensors.

(Note this attribute appears in Davis family and Fine Offset family tables above and in Instromet station specific: table below with different usage explanations).

WMR928TempChannel=N This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini file for WMR-928 stations (and other serial stations using the same protocol, eg WMR-968) to use an 'extra' channel (see previous parameter) as your main temperature sensor, set N to the required channel
WMR200TempChannel=N This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini file for WMR200 stations (and any other Oregon Scientific USB stations which work with Cumulus, e.g. WMR100) to use an 'extra' channel as your main temperature sensor, set N to the required channel

La Crosse specific:

NOT AVAILABLE IN CUMULUS MX - at time of writing "RestartIfDataStops" is not available

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
WS2300Sync=1 This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini. This makes Cumulus check the time that the station is going to communicate with the sensors, and synchronises all of its reads to be 2.5 seconds after that. Experiments have shown that this does not help the bad data situation.
LCMaxWind=X This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini. It is setting for the La Crosse max wind speed, where X is the maximum (uncalibrated) wind speed in m/s that you want to allow. The value you supply should be in metres/second, regardless of what wind unit you are using in Cumulus.(V1.8.8 Build 874 on)
WS2300IgnoreStationClock=0 This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini. Option to ignore the La Crosse station clock on logger download.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled
RestartIfDataStops=0 This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini.

Option for Cumulus 1, it attempts to restart itself if it has had no data from a La Crosse station for 60 seconds i.e. if data from station stops. This may fix whatever the problem is; it may not. But it should at least stop the same data being repeatedly logged.

  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled
ReportDataStoppedErrors=0 This line needs to be added in the [Station] section of the Cumulus.ini.

Option to turn off reporting of 'data stopped' errors to the Cumulus error log (may be needed with La Crosse stations)

  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled

The spike removal parameter listed in the Fine Offset section above, may also be used with La Crosse stations.

Hydreon specific:

All 6 of these parameters are set on RG11 screen within configuration menu, see its Help for more information.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
RG11port=1 Specifies the COM port to use for Hydreon RG-11 rain detection devices. 1 = COM1.
RG11TBRmode=1 Specifies the Hydreon RG-11 rain device mode of operation.
  • 0 = Rain detection mode - "It's Raining"
  • 1 = Tipping bucket mode.
RG11tipsize=0.01 Specifies the tipping bucket size for Hydreon RG-11 rain detection devices. The 'tip size' must be specified in the units that you have configured Cumulus to use for rain.
RG11port2=

RG11TBRmode2=

RG11tipsize2=

Settings to connect a second Hydreon RG-11 rain detection device.

Note that you must have one RG-11 set to "It's raining" mode and the other to "tipping bucket" mode. Cumulus does not validate this.

Instromet station specific:

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Station] Section name - the following parameters relate to the station configuration.
ImetWaitTime=200 This parameter (attribute=value) if you need to change it from its default of 200 ms is added directly to the file, it does not appear on a configuration screen.

Specifies the time in milliseconds that Cumulus allows for a response from an Instromet station. If you are having problems with reading from an Instromet station, try inserting this line into the Station section using a value of 500. According to the specification, 500 ms is the absolute maximum time that the station should take to respond to any command.

SyncDavisClock=0 Set this in the Station Configuration Screen Settings block where called Synchronize station clock. Note despite the name of the parameter within 'Cumulus.ini', this does apply to Instromet stations.

When set, at Cumulus start-up and at 04:00 each day, Cumulus will set the Instromet clock to within a minute of the same time as the PC

  • 0 = Disabled, default as deselected on the Station Configuration Screen
  • 1 = Enabled, ensures that when Cumulus asks the station for data since time X, both recognise X as representing same time!
LogExtraSensors=0 This is set in the settings frame on the Station settings screen off the configuration menu by the Extra Sensors selection. If you have 'extra sensors' selected, the wet bulb reading will be used as an extra temperature sensor. Otherwise it is used as 'wet bulb' and the humidity will be calculated from that and the dry bulb sensor.
  • 0=Disabled (default)- . For a wet bulb sensor, Cumulus will output the humidity, not the temperature shown by the wet bulb.
  • 1= Enabled - Used for optional Sunshine hours or extra temperature sensors on Instromet stations. For a wet bulb sensor, Cumulus will output the temperature it shows, but not calculate the humidity.

(Note this attribute appears in Davis family, Oregon Scientific specific and Fine Offset family tables above with different usage explanations).

Section: Offsets

Set most of these parameters using the Configuration menu and Calibration screen, the exception is 'TempMult2'.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Offsets] Section Name - the following 'attribute=value' parameters are the adjustment factors for your specific sensors
PressOffset=Offset_Value Default 'Offset_Value' is 0 in this parameter, used for formula: Cumulus pressure = Measured Pressure + 'Offset_Value'
TempOffset=Offset_Value Default 'Offset_Value' is 0 in this parameter, used for quadratic formula shown below
TempMult=1 First order multiplier by which measured outdoor Temperature is to be corrected (default=1).

For formula see next item.

TempMult2=0.0 This line needs to be added in the [Offsets] section of the Cumulus.ini, if it is omitted default multiplier is 0.0.

"Second order" multiplier by which measured outdoor Temperature is to be corrected, this means that the logged reading can be (TempMult2 * measured-temp * measured_temp) + (TempMult * measured_temp) + TempOffset

HumOffset=Offset_Value Default 'Offset_Value' is 0 in this parameter used for formula: Cumulus Humidity = Measured Humidity + 'Offset_Value'
WindDirOffset=Offset_Value Default 'Offset_Value' is 0 in this parameter used for formula: Cumulus Wind Bearing = Measured Wind Bearing + 'Offset_Value'
InTempOffset=Offset_Value Default 'Offset_Value' is 0 in this parameter used for formula: Cumulus Indoor Temperature = Measured Indoor Temperature + 'Offset_Value'
WindSpeedMult=1 Multiplier by which measured Average Wind Speed is to be corrected (default=1).

e.g. Officially in UK the wind speed is measured with sensors at 10m above ground level. If your sensor is not at 10m AGL then a correction multiplier should be applied using the following formula V10/Vh = 1/(0.233 + 0.656*log10(h+4.75)) where "h" is your sensor height in meters so if your anemometer is 5m off the ground, V10/Vh comes out at 1.134

WindGustMult=1 Multiplier by which measured Wind Gust Speed is to be corrected (default=1).
HumMult=1 Multiplier by which measured Humidity is to be corrected (default=1).
RainMult=1 Multiplier by which measured Rainfall (and therefore rainfall rate too) is to be corrected (default=1).
UVOffset=Offset_Value Default 'Offset_Value' is 0 in this parameter used for formula: Cumulus UV level = Measured UV level + 'Offset_Value'
UVMult=1 Multiplier by which measured UV to be corrected (default=1).

Section: Web Site

All parameters edited in the Internet Configuration screen Sites/Options tab Web Site block.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Web Site] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your website
ForumURL=https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/ A website forum URL
WebcamURL=http://www.sanday.org.uk/webcam/webcam.php URL for your Webcam

Section: FTP site

NOTE: The word site should be in lower case as shown in left-hand column heading and above.

See individual entries for how to modify these parameters (either select on a screen, or edit file directly). Where the modification can be done on a screen, the Cumulus Help screens (e.g. Configuration: Internet) will explain the selection.

This Wiki discusses the most basic of these settings on this page and discusses the more complex ones in this section.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[FTP site] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your website FTP parameters
DailyProgram= Selected in the Daily box of Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in External Programs block. The name (including path) of a command-line program to be run once a day, after the daily 'rollover' has been performed.
  • default - none
DailyParams= Selected in the Params box alongside the Daily box of Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in External Programs block.
  • default - none

The corresponding 'parameters' for 'DailyProgram' used to specify any parameters to be passed to that command.

Host= Selected in the Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in web site block. This is either the name, or the IP address, of the ftp server to which you connect when you upload pages to your web site. You probably used it with an external FTP program when you followed the instructions in the Cumulus Help, Readme.txt, or Simple_Website_setup.

If you host your web site yourself, then "Host=localhost" might be appropriate.

Leave blank, "Host=", if you are not using ftp, but simply creating the output files on your pc with a Copy instruction.

Port=21 Selected in the Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in web site block.

Port used for FTP upload, default as shown is the normal port.

Username= Select your web site FTP log-in Username in the Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in web site block
Password= Shows your web site FTP login password as entered in the Internet option of Configuration menu (note: this is not encrypted)
Directory= Selected in the Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in web site block. Directory (including path) on your server to which FTP will upload the files.
  • value is left Blank, default, the root position specified by ftp server (see Host above)
  • A path from the starting point as the position specified by ftp server (see Host above)
IncludeSTD=1 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the Include Standard Files at the top of Files Tab screen
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled, (default) the standard web files provided with Cumulus will be processed and uploaded at each automatic or manual web update to the FTP root or any 'Directory' you have specified (see above).
IncludeSTDImages=1 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the Include Standard Images at the top of Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled,(default) the standard image files generated by Cumulus (graphs, etc) will be uploaded at each automatic or manual web update to a sub-folder of the 'Directory' you specified called 'images'.
ResizeGraphs=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web graphs block.
  • 0 = Disabled (default) Cumulus uploads the default 750 x 300 pixel graphs.
  • 1 = Cumulus resizes the large graph images when creating them for upload to your web site. Specify the required height and width in the corresponding boxes of same Web graphs block (see below for related parameters). Note that the images are simply scaled to the new size; there will be some loss of quality.
GraphHeight=300 Graph height, default is 300 (pixels) - see previous parameter
GraphWidth=750 Graph width, default is 750 (pixels) - see ResizeGraphs parameter
ImageFolder= Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the Copy Images to folder at the bottom of Files Tab screen.
  • value is blank (default) no action
  • Path and file name in LOCAL folder to which the generated image files are also copied after each upload, either at manual web update and the 'normal' automatic interval, or the 'real time' interval, depending on next parameter. Used if you want backups of generated images. See Cumulus Help.
ImageCopyRealtime=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the Realtime? at the bottom of Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = (default) the generated image files are copied at each manual web update and automatically in 'normal' interval
  • 1 = the generated image files are copied in 'real time' interval.
IncludeSolarChart=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the Solar at the top of Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, the optional solar graph image file generated by Cumulus will be uploaded at each automatic or manual web update to a sub-folder of the 'Directory' you specified called 'images'.
IncludeUVChart=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the UV at the top of Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, the optional UV graph image file generated by Cumulus will be uploaded at each automatic or manual web update to a sub-folder of the 'Directory' you specified called 'images'.
IncludeSunshineChart=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by the Sunshine at the top of Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, the optional sunshine graph image file generated by Cumulus will be uploaded at each automatic or manual web update to a sub-folder of the 'Directory' you specified called 'images'.
AutoUpdate=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Auto Update.
  • 0 = Disabled, an upload will only occur if Web upload is selected manually either from the File menu or the right click menu if Cumulus is minimised.
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will automatically upload your processed web pages to your web site at regular intervals (as specified by the 'Update Interval ' - see below) using FTP to the directory as specified in 'Directory' (see above).
ActiveFTP=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Use active FTP mode.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will use 'active' FTP mode instead of the default 'passive' mode. You should only select active mode if you are having problems with FTP uploads.
FTPRename=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Use FTP rename.
  • 0 = Disabled (default), no name change after uploading onto the server
  • 1 = Enabled, the new update is loaded using temporary names, files are renamed on the sever afterwards
DeleteBeforeUpload=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Delete before upload.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, files are deleted from sever before the new update is loaded
UpdateInterval=15 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab in Interval box. The interval in minutes at which you wish normal (not real-time) updates (either FTP to your website, or copy to a local directory on your pc) to automatically occur. Default 15 minutes.
ExternalProgram= Selected in the Program box of Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in External Programs block. The name (including path) of a command-line program to be run at the 'normal' web update interval, after all of the other processing has been performed.
ExternalParams= Selected in the Params box alongside the Program box of Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in External Programs block. The corresponding 'parameters' for 'ExternalProgram' used to specify any parameters to be passed to that command.
EnableRealtime=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Enable Realtime.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
    • - If you do not have Auto Update option set (top of Web Settings block), the realtime.txt file is not created/updated.
    • - If you have the Auto Update option set (and a suitable Interval configured), Cumulus will create the realtime.txt file at that specified normal update Interval (not the Real-time Interval)
    • It only creates the file (any previous creation is lost) at that interval, but you can separately specify it as an extra file to upload during the 'normal' upload, or just use it for any other purpose on your PC.
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will create a new realtime.txt file at the Real-time Interval,
    • - Other parameters need to be set for more actions.
    • - If you have the RealtimeFTPEnabled option set, and a suitable RealtimeInterval configured, (for both of these see below) Cumulus will upload the file to your web site, after the number of seconds specified by RealtimeInterval (see that parameter below) since any previous upload.

The realtime.txt file contains various weather parameters and is used by the CumulusRealtime.swf (shock wave flash) real time wind gauges (as on the supplied 'gauges' web page for Cumulus 1.x.x). This parameter controls when it is created.

RealtimeFTPEnabled=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Enable Realtime FTP.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, Cumulus will establish an FTP connection to your web site, so that the realtime.txt file, and any other files you specify, can be uploaded when realtime processing takes place.

The 'EnableRealtime' setting must be set to 1 for this setting to have any effect.

RealtimeTxtFTP=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Realtime.txt FTP.

When set to 1 Cumulus will upload the realtime.txt to your web site during realtime processing. The 'EnableRealtime' and 'RealtimeFTPEnabled' settings must both be set to 1 for this setting to have any effect.

RealtimeInterval=15 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as Realtime Interval. The time in seconds between uploads of the realtime.txt file, and any other files associated with real-time interval, (i.e. a new upload of files will begin this number of seconds after the last upload has ended).
  • If you set it to 15 seconds and it takes more than say 10 seconds for any uploads, it will not be until the time it takes plus another 15 seconds has elapsed that it does the next upload.
  • If you set it to 5 seconds, and it takes more than say 10 seconds for any uploads, while you won't actually get an upload every 5 seconds, it will always attempt the next upload within 5 seconds of the previous one ending.
RealtimeProgram= Selected in the Realtime Program box of Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in External Programs block. The name (including path) of a command-line program to be run at the 'realtime' web update interval, after all of the processing has been performed.
RealtimeParams= Selected in the Params box alongside the Realtime Program box of Internet option of Configuration menu, Sites/Options tab in External Programs block. The corresponding 'parameters' for 'RealtimeProgram' used to specify any parameters to be passed to that command.
ExtraLocal[0-9]= Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by an entry in the Local column of the table on the Files Tab screen.
  • value is blank (default)
  • Path and file name on local computer for alternate files #0 through #9. See cumulus Help for details of how to specify reading current monthly log here.
ExtraLocal[10-99]= Path and file name on local computer for alternate file #10 through #99. These additional files can only be selected by adding parameter lines to the configuration file, they cannot be entered on any Configuration screen.
ExtraRemote[0-9]= Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by an entry in the Local column of the table on the Files Tab screen.
  • value is blank (default)
  • Path and file name on web server for alternate files #0 through #9. Set in Internet Configuration Screen Files tab. See cumulus Help for details of how to specify creating current monthly log here.
ExtraRemote[10-99]= Path and file name on web server for alternate file #10 through #99. These additional paths/files can only be selected by adding parameter lines to the configuration file, they cannot be entered on any Configuration screen.
ExtraProcess[0-9]=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by selecting in the Process? column of the table on the Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = Disabled, (default) extra file will not pass through the cumulus 'tag processor'.
  • 1 = Enabled, extra file will be passed through the 'tag processor' in Cumulus, in the same way that the standard Cumulus web pages are. This allows to you to create your own web pages into which Cumulus will insert the various weather parameters. See the "Web tags" section of the help file for a list of the tags which you can use. Cumulus will create a temporary file to hold the processed version of your file and then upload that.
ExtraProcess[10-99]=0 Set in this config file only, they cannot be entered on any Configuration screen.
  • 0 = Disabled, alternate file #10 through #99 will not pass through the cumulus 'tag processor'.
  • 1 = Enabled, alternate file #10 through #99 will be passed through the 'tag processor' in Cumulus, in the same way that the standard Cumulus web pages are. This allows to you to create your own web pages into which Cumulus will insert the various weather parameters. See the "Web tags" section of the help file for a list of the tags which you can use. Cumulus will create a temporary file to hold the processed version of your file and then upload that
UTF8encode=1 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu in Web Settings block of Sites/Options tab as UTF-8 encode from build 1093.
  • 0 = Standard Cumulus Web Templates are processed into charset=iso-8859-1 web pages as for builds prior to 1093.
  • 1 = Default from build 1093, Standard Cumulus Web Templates are processed into charset=utf-8 web pages

See here for related FAQ or this section for more information.

ExtraUTF[0-9]=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by selecting in the UTF-8? column of the table on the Files Tab screen from build 1093.
  • 0 = Default, Customised/extra Cumulus Web Templates are processed into charset=iso-8859-1 web pages as for builds prior to 1093.
  • 1 = Customised/extra Cumulus Web Templates are processed into charset=utf-8 web pages
ExtraUTF[10-99]=0 Set in this config file only.
  • 0 = Default from build 1093, Customised Cumulus Web Templates are processed into charset=iso-8859-1 web pages as for builds prior to 1093.
  • 1 = Customised Cumulus Web Templates are processed into charset=utf-8 web pages from build 1093
ExtraBinary[0-9]=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by selecting in the Binary? column of the table on the Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = not binary (if pure ASCII characters)
  • 1 = Binary (e.g. images)

In general, setting to one is safest, but the default is zero.

ExtraBinary[10-99]=0 Set in this config file only.
  • 0 = alternate file #10 through #99 is not binary (is pure ASCII characters)
  • 1 = alternate file #10 through #99 is Binary (e.g. images)
ExtraRealtime[0-9]=0 Set in the Internet option of Configuration menu by selecting in the Realtime? column of the table on the Files Tab screen.
  • 0 = Disabled, (default) file uploaded as part of normal upload
  • 1 = Enabled, file uploaded during Realtime upload

If you select this for any files, you will also need to select the RealtimeFTPEnabled=1 option, which in turns means you have to set EnableRealtime=1 option (see Cumulus Help, or this Wiki page).

ExtraRealtime[10-99]=0 Set in this config file only.
  • 0 = Disabled, alternate file #10 through #99 uploaded as part of normal upload
  • 1 = Enabled, alternate file #10 through #99 uploaded during Realtime upload

If you select this for any files, you will also need to select the RealtimeFTPEnabled=1 option, which in turns means you have to set EnableRealtime=1 option.

ExtraFTP[0-9]=1 Set in Internet Configuration Screen Files tab.
  • 0 = Disabled, File copied to the location specified in the Remote Filename box.
  • 1 = Enabled, (default) File uploaded by FTP

Not intended for standard Cumulus web pages (tick box at top of screen, missing files will be ignored), nor for NOAA reports (FTF for them set up in NOAA Setup within Configuration menu).

ExtraFTP[10-99]=1 Set in this config file only.
  • 0 = Disabled, alternate file #10 through #99 copied to the location specified in the Remote Filename box.
  • 1 = Enabled, alternate file #10 through #99 uploaded by FTP to the location specified in the Remote Filename box.

(Copying is appropriate if you have a local web server on your computer or network, FTP needed if your server is hosted elsewhere)

FTPlogging=0 Set (Cumulus 1) by selecting FTP Logging in Configuration menu, or by adding this line to 'FTP site' section of Cumulus.ini.
  • 0 (default) = Cumulus will not store messages from FTP server.
  • 1 = Cumulus will update a file called ftplog.txt in the same folder as the Cumulus executable by showing the messages sent to, and responses from, the FTP server.
MaxFTPconnectRetries=3 Set in this config file only.

Allow configurable max FTP connect retries (default is retry up to 3 times).

Section: Display

Set the majority of these parameters using Configuration menu and either Display or Colours screens as seen on link and indicated below. The exception is "TwelveHourClock", that parameter is set by clicking on the displayed time.

The only setting used in this section by Cumulus MX is "NumWindRosePoints"

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Display] Section heading - the following parameters affect how the main screen looks.
Heading=My Weather Title Heading on the Main Screen. Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
SavePosition=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block.
  • 0= default, the main window will be displayed in the middle of the main or only monitor connected to your pc
  • 1= the current position of the main window will be saved to Cumulus.ini#Section:_MainForm when Cumulus closes, and the window will open again at that position the next time Cumulus starts.
StartMinimised=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block.
  • 0= default, the main window will be displayed on the main or only monitor connected to your pc
  • 1= If set to 1, Cumulus will start with the main window minimised, either to the system tray or the task bar, depending on the 'MinimizeToTray' setting (see next parameter).
MinimizeToTray=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
  • 0 = Disabled (default), Cumulus will minimise to the task bar
  • 1 = Enabled, causes Cumulus to appear as an icon in the system tray when it is minimized. The icon will flash if a record is broken or an error occurs. Double click on the icon to restore the main window (or right click on the icon and use the pop-up menu).
ForecastCentred=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block.
  • 0 = Disabled, (default) Forecast appears left justified on main screen below sun and moon details
  • 1 = Enabled, Forecast appears centred horizonatally on main screen below sun and moon details
FontColour=4227327 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the screen font color
BackColour=12632256 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the application background color
HeadingColour=10485760 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the screen heading color
ClockDigitColour=4227327 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the figures on clock in top right corner of main screen
ClockColour=16777201 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the main screen clock background color
TwelveHourClock=0 Set by left click on clock on main screen
  • 0 = 24Hr clock mode
  • 1 - 12 Hr am/pm clock mode
WMR928Channel1Caption=Extra channel 1 Set in the Display Configuration Screen WMR928 extra channel captions block. Note that the extra channel data for WMR928 stations is only displayed on the main screen if Display solar/extra data is Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block (see previous parameter). This parameter defines the caption to be used when Cumulus reads observations from the extra sensor.
WMR928Channel2Caption=Extra channel 2 See previous parameter.
WMR928Channel3Caption=Extra channel 3 See 'WMR928Channel1Caption=Extra channel 1' parameter
SnowUnitText=cm Set in Snow units box in the Display Configuration Screen General block. Default is cm.

This allows you to set the text that appears with the snow depth in the weather diary. Note that there is no significance attached to this and the effect is purely cosmetic; the snow depth is effectively unitless and you can supply any text you wish, remember all snow depth observations must be entered as an integer (without any decimal part)!

DisplayCloudBase=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block.
  • 0 = Disabled, (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, the calculated cloud base is displayed on the main screen. The calculation is a simple one; 1000 feet for every 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the temperature and the dew point.
DisplayHumidex=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
  • 0 = Disabled (default) Heat_index displayed on main screen. The heat index is calculated only if the actual temperature in the shade (not in direct sunlight) is above 27 °C (80 °F), so normal temperature shown here for cooler temperatures.
  • 1 = Enabled, calculated Humidex value to be displayed on the main screen instead of Heat Index. (Note that Cumulus displays degrees C or F for Humidex, whereas strictly speaking it is unitless. This is for the convenience of those who use Fahrenheit but would still prefer to see Humidex displayed, where it might be confusing to show the unconverted value.)
DisplaySolarData=0 Set by Display solar/extra data item in the Display Configuration Screen General block.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, adds an extra panel to the main screen below the recent extremes panel - EITHER
    • Panel displays Temp, Dew pt and Hum (this extra sensor data, can be populated from Oregon WMR-928 stations, see next 3 parameters) OR
    • Panel displays Evapotranspiration (ET), Ultraviolet (UV) and Solar radiation if station Type is Vantage Pro and solar data is available
DisplayStormRain=0 Set by Display 'Storm Rain' item in the Display Configuration Screen General block.
  • 0 = Disabled, (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, adds an extra output to the main screen to show what Davis stations report as Storm Rain
ShowCurrentConditions=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
LegendSymbolWidth=3 Set in the Display Configuration Screen Graph block. The width of the plot lines in graph legends
ChartLineWidth=2 Set in the Display Configuration Screen Graph block. The width of the plot lines in the graph body
WindGaugeRange=50 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block. Value represents the default full scale deflection of the top of the 3 wind plots in the wind speed units you have selected. Default value is 50 in that unit.
WindGaugeArcColour=16773091 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeAnimated=1 Set by Wind gauge animated item in the Display Configuration Screen General block. Animate the Wind Gauge pointer movement
  • 0 = Disabled,
  • 1 = Enabled (default)
WindGaugeAnimationFactor=2 Set in the Display Configuration Screen. This sets the speed of the wind gauge animation. Lower values correspond to a faster animation speed. Be careful not to set the animation too slow, particularly with stations which update frequently (e.g. Davis) as the animation will never catch up, and will use significant CPU time.
WindGaugeTickColour=9841920 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeFontColour=9841920 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeInnerCircleColour=16765615 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeNeedleColour=128 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeInnerCentreColourFrom=16765615 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeInnerCentreColourTo=16765615 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeOuterCentreColourFrom=16765357 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeOuterCentreColourTo=16711680 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeOuterCircleColour=16765615 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeOuterRimColour=9470064 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeAverageSectorColour=32768 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugePeakSectorColour=33023 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeNeedleShineColourFrom=1049273 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
WindGaugeNeedleShineColourTo=328090 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the upper of the 3 wind plots
CompassColour=12632256 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the middle of the 3 wind plots
CompassTickColour=16711680 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the middle of the 3 wind plots
CompassLabelColour=16777215 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the middle of the 3 wind plots
CompassBearingColour=0 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the middle of the 3 wind plots
CompassCurrentPointerColour=255 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the middle of the 3 wind plots
CompassAveragePointerColour=16711680 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the middle of the 3 wind plots
WindRoseColour=8388608 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the wind rose shading that represents duration and intensity of wind in different directions
WindRoseLabelColour=0 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the wind rose compass points
WindRoseAxesColour=8388608 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the circle and radii of lower of the 3 wind plots
WindRoseTransparency=50 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu.
NumWindRosePoints=16 Set in the Display Configuration Screen Graphs block

The number of points to plot on the Wind Rose diagram (choose 8 for Fine Offset stations)

TransparentGauges=0 Set by Transparent gauge backgrounds item in the Display Configuration Screen General block.

The square backgrounds of the three wind gauges on the Cumulus main screen

  • 0= same colour as the main window background (default)
  • 1= the images will be processed to make the background colour transparent.
TransparentGraphs=0 Set by Transparent graph backgrounds item in the Display Configuration Screen General block.

This only works if the graphs are defined to have a solid colour as background (gradient is not selected on colours configuration screen).

  • 0= Cumulus 1.x.x graphs colour is defined in graphs block on Colours Configuration screen (default)
  • 1= the graph images that Cumulus 1.x.x creates for upload to a web site will be processed to make the background colour transparent.
LogFTPErrors=1 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
  • 1= (default), the FTP errors will be logged to the Cumulus Error Dialog display
  • 0= to suppress the logging of FTP errors.
DigitBackground=0 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the colour to be used for background to displayed observations on main screen
LabelColour=0 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the Parameter labels on main screen - default black. Note alarm conditions can change label colour (see next 2 parameters).
AlarmColour=255 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the Parameter labels on main screen - default red - when an alarm is set for that parameter
PastAlarmColour=16711680 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the Parameter labels on main screen - default blue - when an alarm is cleared for that parameter
PanelHeadingFontColour=0 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the heading at the top of each panel with observations
PanelLineColour=0 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the heading at the top of each panel with observations
PanelBorderColour=8421504 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the edging of each panel with observations
PanelGradientColourFrom=16777215 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the panel background
PanelGradientColourTo=13226453 Set on the colour setting screen in the Configuration menu. Decimal code for the panel background
DisplayBeaufortDesc=1 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
  • 1 (default), the Beaufort description of the current average wind speed will appear in the header of the wind panel on the main screen.
  • 0, it will instead appear as a 'tool tip' for the wind panel.
DisplayBarometerTrendText=1 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
  • 1 (default), the description of the current barometer trend will appear in the header of the barometer panel on the main screen.
  • 0, it will instead appear as a 'tool tip' for the barometer panel.
UpdateAtStartup=1 Set in the Display Configuration Screen General block
  • 1 (default), the display will be updated as data is downloaded and processed from the station's logger. This increases the time taken to process the data.
  • 0, it makes the download faster as display is onlyn updated when catch up completed; this may be significant if there is a lot of data to download.
IndependentGraphsWindow=0 Set in the Display Configuration Screen Graphs block
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled

Section: Graphs

Set many of these parameters using Configuration menu and either Display (Graphs block) or Colours screens. Set the colours of the data lines on graphs/charts and Select whether to plot particular data by using View menu and Graphs option, then right click over the relevant graph. Set the SAG colours and axis position by using View menu and Select-A-Graph option, the settings for different observations are at the foot of the screen.

The only settings used in this section by Cumulus MX are "ChartMaxDays" and "GraphHours"

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Graphs] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your graph settings
GraphHours=12 The number of hours data to be displayed in temperature (outdoor, heat index, wind chill, dewpoint and apparent temperature), humidity, rainfall rate, rainfall, pressure, solar radiation, UV index, wind speed and wind direction graphs.

You can enter any multiple of 12 from the Display Settings Screen, and you can also edit cumulus.ini and set this item to any other value. But note that setting it to a non-standard value is unsupported (i.e. if it causes problems, I probably won't fix them) and if you change any display settings, the value will get reset to a supported value (so you'll need to edit cumulus.ini again).

ChartMaxDays=7 How many days of values to plot on the daily min/average/max temperature, daily sunshine, and daily rain charts (default=7)
Background=12632256 Decimal value for the Graph and Chart background colour.
WindColour=65535 Decimal value for the 10 minute average wind speed plot colour
GustColour=8421376 Decimal value for the Wind Gust plot colour
RainColour=9527753 Decimal value for the Rain plot colour
RainTodayColour=9527753 Decimal value for the Rain Today plot colour
TempColour=9527753 Decimal value for the Outside Temperature plot colour
HeatIndexColour=16711680 Decimal value for the Heat Index plot colour
AppTempColour=8388736 Decimal value for the Apparent Temperature plot colour
PressColour=9527753 Decimal value for the Pressure plot colour
WindDirColour=255 Decimal value for the Wind Direction plot colour
DewPointColour=255 Decimal value for the Dew Point plot colour
WindChillColour=32768 Decimal value for the Wind Chill plot colour
MinTempColour=16711680 Decimal value for the Minimum Temperature chart plot colour
MaxTempColour=255 Decimal value for the Maximum Temperature chart plot colour
AvgTempColour=32768 Decimal value for the Average Temperature chart plot colour
DailyRainColour=32768 Decimal value for the Daily Rain chart plot colour
InsideTempColour=0 Decimal value for the Inside Temperature plot colour
InsideHumColour=255 Decimal value for the Inside Humidity plot colour
OutsideHumColour=16711680 Decimal value for the Outside Humidity plot colour
Graph3D=0 3D or normal graph selection as selected in the Display Configuration Graphs block
  • 0 = normal graph selected
  • 1 = 3D graph selected
PlotLatestGust=0 Plot Latest Gust selection as selected in the Display Configuration Graphs block
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
OriginIsSouth=0 Wind Direction Graph Y Axis origin
  • 0 = North as Origin (default)
  • 1 = South as Origin
ShowFreezingLine=0 Draw a horizontal line on the temperature graph at 0°C/32°F
TempVisible=1 Select whether to plot the outside air temperature on the temperature graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
HIVisible=0 Select whether to plot the heat index on the temperature graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
DPVisible=1 Select whether to plot the dewpoint values on the temperature graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
WCVisible=1 Select whether to plot the wind chill values on the temperature graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
AppTempVisible=1 Select whether to plot the apparent temperature values on the temperature graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
InHumVisible=1 Select whether to plot the indoor humidity values on the humidity graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
OutHumVisible=1 Select whether to plot the outdoor humidity values on the humidity graph
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
GraphGradientEnabled=0 Use gradient shading on the graph background
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled
GradientStart=12632256
GradientMiddle=16777215
GradientEnd=8421504
SAGintempcolour=32768 (Select-A-Graph)
SAGouttempcolour=255
SAGpressurecolour=16711680
SAGraintotalcolour=8388608
SAGrainratecolour=16776960
SAGgustcolour=16711935
SAGpeakgustcolour=65280
SAGspeedcolour=8388736
SAGinhumcolour=32896
SAGouthumcolour=8388608
SAGheatindexcolour=128
SAGwindchillcolour=8421504
SAGwinddircolour=0
SAGdewpointcolour=8421376
SAGsolarradcolour=65535
SAGmaxsolarradcolour=16711935
SAGapptempcolour=0
SAGuvindexcolour=65280
SAGintempaxis=L (Select-A-Graph)
SAGouttempaxis=L
SAGpressureaxis=L
SAGraintotalaxis=L
SAGrainrateaxis=L
SAGgustaxis=L
SAGpeakgustaxis=L
SAGspeedaxis=L
SAGinhumaxis=L
SAGouthumaxis=L
SAGheatindexaxis=L
SAGwindchillaxis=L
SAGwinddiraxis=L
SAGdewpointaxis=L
SAGsolarradaxis=L
SAGmaxsolarradaxis=L
SAGapptempaxis=L
SAGuvindexaxis=L
SAG3D=0
SAGgradientback=0
SAGleftgrid=1
SAGrightgrid=1

Section: Alarms

Set these using the Edit menu, Alarms screen.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Alarms] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your alarm settings
alarmlowtemp=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable low temperature alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable Low temperature alarm
LowTempAlarmSet=0 Setting for low temperature alarm point (degrees)
LowTempAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
LowTempAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name of sound file for Low Temperature alarm
alarmhightemp=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable high temperature alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable High temperature alarm
HighTempAlarmSet=0 Degrees above which alarm will occur.
HighTempAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
HighTempAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name of sound file for High Temperature alarm
alarmlowpress=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
LowPressAlarmSet=0 Pressure below which you wish Low Pressure alarm to occur
LowPressAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
LowPressAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for sound file to play for Low Pressure Alarm
alarmhighpress=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable low High Pressure alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable High Pressure alarm
HighPressAlarmSet=0 Pressure above which you wish High Pressure alarm to occur
HighPressAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
HighPressAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the High Pressure Alarm
alarmhighraintoday=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable High Rain today alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable High Rain today alarm
HighRainTodayAlarmSet=0 Rain level above which alarm to occur
HighRainTodayAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
HighRainTodayAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the High Rain Today Alarm
alarmhighrainrate=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable High Rain Rate alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable High Rain Rate alarm
HighRainRateAlarmSet=0 Rain rate above which you wish alarm to occur
HighRainRateAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
HighRainRateAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the High Rain Rate Alarm
alarmhighgust=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable High Gust alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable High Gust alarm
HighGustAlarmSet=0 Gust speed above which you wish alarm to occur
HighGustAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
HighGustAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the High Gust Alarm
alarmhighwind=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable High Average Wind alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable High Average Wind alarm
HighWindAlarmSet=0 Average Wind speed above which alarm to occur
HighWindAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
HighWindAlarmSoundFile=C:\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the High Wind Alarm
SensorAlarmSet=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable sensor contact lost alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable sensor contact lost alarm
SensorAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
SensorAlarmSoundFile=C:\Program Files\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the Sensor Contact lost Alarm
alarmtempchange=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable Temperature Change alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable Temperature Change alarm
TempChangeAlarmSet=0 Temperature change value to trigger the alarm
TempChangeAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
TempChangeAlarmSoundFile=C:\Program Files\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the Temperature Change Alarm
alarmpresschange=0 Select in Edit Alarms Screen
  • 0 = Disable Pressure Change alarm (default)
  • 1 = Enable Pressure Change alarm
PressChangeAlarmSet=0 Pressure change value to trigger the alarm
PressChangeAlarmSound=0 Alarm Action
  • 0 = Disable, (default) no sound on alarm
  • 1 = Enable sound on alarm
PressChangeAlarmSoundFile=C:\Program Files\Cumulus\alert.wav Path and file name for the sound file used for the Pressure Change Alarm

Sections dealing with interfaces to external sites

Section: WUnderground

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Wunderground] Section Name - Parameters for your Weather Underground site
ID= Your Weather Underground station identifier (note: not your user name).
Password= Your Weather Underground password. (note: not encrypted)
Enabled=0 Set if you wish to upload to your Weather Underground site
  • 0 = Disabled, (default) no Weather underground site
  • 1 = Enabled, data sent at the interval specified below
RapidFire=0 'rapid fire' mode.
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, You should also tick 'Enabled'. Rapid fire updates occur every 5 seconds.
Interval=15 Time in minutes between uploads to Weather Underground. (default = 15)
SendUV=0 Current UV value
  • 0 = Disabled (default) no UV info sent
  • 1 = Enabled, UV value sent with the data
SendSR=0 Solar Radiation
  • 0 = Disabled (default) no solar data sent
  • 1 = Enabled, Solar Radiation value sent with data
SendAverage=0 Causes average wind speed and directon to be sent rather than instantaneous/gust speed and direction.
  • 0 = Disabled (default) instantaneous/gust speed data sent
  • 1 = Enabled, average wind speed sent with data
CatchUp=1 If possible send missing historic data to the server on startup
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled (default)

Set by editing this section of cumulus.ini with Cumulus stopped (from build 1095)

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Wunderground] Section Name - Parameters for your Weather Underground site
SendSoilTemp1=0 Soil Temperature 1
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilTemp2=0 Soil Temperature 2
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilTemp3=0 Soil Temperature 3
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilTemp4=0 Soil Temperature 4
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilMoisture1=0 Soil Moisture 1
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilMoisture2=0 Soil Moisture 2
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilMoisture3=0 Soil Moisture 3
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendSoilMoisture4=0 Soil Moisture 4
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendLeafWetness1=0 Leaf Wetness 1
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data
SendLeafWetness2=0 Leaf Wetness 2
  • 0 = Disabled (default) not sent
  • 1 = Enabled, value sent with the data

Section: Twitter

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Twitter] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your Twitter site parameters
User= your Twitter login username
Password= your Twitter login password (note: this is not encrypted)
Enabled=0 Set in Internet Configuration Screen Twitter block
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, tweats sent at the specified interval.
Interval=60 interval in minutes that Tweats will be sent.
OauthToken= Twitter inserted authentication token parameter - you can delete this line with Cumulus stopped
OauthTokenSecret= Twitter inserted authentication token parameter - you can delete this line with Cumulus stopped

Section: PWSweather

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[PWSweather] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your PWS weather site parameters
ID= Your PWS Weather station identifier (note: not your user name)
Password= your PWS weather site login password (note: this is not encrypted)
Enabled=0 Select in Internet Configuration Screen PWS Weather block
  • 0 = Disabled (default) no data sent to PWS
  • 1 = Enabled, data sent to PWS at the specified interval
Interval=15 Interval in minutes that updates will be sent to your PWS weather site
SendUV=0 Current Ultra Violet level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, UV level sent with normal data
SendSR=0 Solar Radiation level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, Solar radiation reading sent with normal data
CatchUp=1 If possible send missing historic data to the server on startup
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled (default)

Section: APRS

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[APRS] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your APRS weather site parameters
ID= Your APRS identifier
pass=-1 your APRS password (Note: not encrypted)
server=cwop.aprs.net The APRS server to use
port=14580 The port number to use on the APRS server.
Enabled=0 Select in Internet Configuration Screen APRS Settings block
Interval=9 Time in minutes between uploads to the APRS server
APRSHumidityCutoff=1 For Oregon Scientific, so it doesn't report humidity to APRS when the temperature is below -10°C
SendSR=0 Solar Radiation level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, Solar radiation reading sent with normal data

Section: WOW

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[WOW] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your WOW weather site parameters
ID= Your WOW station ID
Password= your WOW password (Note: not encrypted)
Enabled=1 Updates enabled/disabled
Interval=15 Time in mimutes between uploads to the WOW server
SendUV=0 Current Ultra Violet level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, UV level sent with normal data
SendSR=0 Solar Radiation level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, Solar radiation reading sent with normal data
CatchUp=1 If possible send missing historic data to the WOW server on startup
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled (default)

Section: Weatherbug

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Weatherbug] Section Name - the following parameters relate to your Weatherbug weather site parameters
ID= Your Weatherbug station ID
Password= your Weatherbug password (Note: not encrypted)
Enabled=1 Updates enabled/disabled
Interval=15 Time in mimutes between uploads to the Weatherbug server
SendUV=0 Current Ultra Violet level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, UV level sent with normal data
SendSR=0 Solar Radiation level
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled, Solar radiation reading sent with normal data
CatchUp=1 If possible send missing historic data to the server on startup
  • 0 = Disabled
  • 1 = Enabled (default)

Section: xAP

Set in the Internet Configuration Screen sites/Options tab

Parameter Line Entry Function
[xAP] Section Name - the following parameters are used if you have enabled xAP in the Station Configuration xAP Settings block
Enabled=0 When set, Cumulus will periodically send out xAP weather reports. See http://www.xapautomation.org/ for more details
  • 0 = Disabled (default)
  • 1 = Enabled
UID=4375 Sets the UID for xAP messages. You should only need to change this if you have more than one instance of Cumulus running on a network.
Port=3639 IP port your computer uses to send data to xAP

Section: NOAA

All these can be set in the NOAA Setup Screen in Configuration menu. You might select to close Cumulus, and edit the 'NOAATempNorm[Jan-Dec]' and 'NOAARainNorm[Jan-Dec]' parameters by using a external editor to manipulate into required format, copy, and paste, the values from another source (as there are a lot of figures to type in).

Please note: because this section of Cumulus.ini uses date format parameters, it is not directly exchangeable between Cumulus 1 and Cumulus MX. You will need to update this section using the NOAA Setup Screen in Configuration menu.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[NOAA] Section Name - the following parameters are set from the NOAA Setup dialog in Cumulus
Name= Your NOAA Station name
City= NOAA location city
State= NOAA location state/county/province or the equivalent in your nation
12hourformat=0 Use 12 or 24 hour time format in the reports
  • 0 = 24 hour format (default)
  • 1 = 12 hour format
HeatingThreshold=65 The base temperature which is to be used to calculate heating demand as heating degree days. The default is 65 degrees if you use Fahrenheit scale or 18.3 degrees if you use Celsius. The value you type on the NOAA Setup Screen is entered in the units that you have selected for temperature. Degree days are calculated on a minute-by-minute basis and the totals for each day are stored in dayfile.txt. Changes to the threshold values cannot therefore apply retrospectively. But, if the dayfile.txt entry doesn't have the degree days in it, then it uses the day's average temperature to produce a 'simplified' heating or cooling degree days figure (but obviously never both at the same time) and in that case it does use the current threshold settings.
CoolingThreshold=65 The base temperature which is to be used to calculate chilling demand as cooling degree days. The default is 65 degrees if you use Fahrenheit scale or 18.3 degrees if you use Celsius. The value you type on the NOAA Setup Screen is entered in the units that you have selected for temperature. Degree days are calculated on a minute-by-minute basis and the totals for each day are stored in dayfile.txt. Changes to the threshold values cannot therefore apply retrospectively. But, if the dayfile.txt entry doesn't have the degree days in it, then it uses the day's average temperature to produce a 'simplified' heating or cooling degree days figure (but obviously never both at the same time) and in that case it does use the current threshold settings.
MaxTempComp1=27 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with max temperatures above the specified temperature.
MaxTempComp2=27 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with max temperatures below the specified temperature.
MinTempComp1=0 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with min temperatures below the specified temperature.
MinTempComp2=-18 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with min temperatures below the specified temperature.
RainComp1=0.2 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with rain totals greater than (or equal to) the specified amount.
RainComp2=2 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with rain totals greater than (or equal to) the specified amount.
RainComp3=20 The value used in the reports for the counts of days with rain totals greater than (or equal to) the specified amount.
AutoSave=0 If set, when Cumulus does the end of day reset, it will auto create NOAA-style reports for the month and year corresponding to the day which has just ended.
NOAAUseUTF8=0 (Added in Cumulus 1.9.4 beta build 1078) Specifies the 'Character set' in which NOAA reports are generated whether automatically (by Cumulus just after rollover) or manually (by selecting Save in NOAA Monthly/Annual Reports screen within Edit menu).
  • 0 = Uses the encoding used for the viewer's operating system's default ANSI code page.
  • 1 = Uses UTF8 (UCS Transformation Format—8-bit) format - the dominant character encoding for the World-Wide Web as using one to three bytes it represents most characters in common use covering most languages.
AutoFTP=0 If set, when Cumulus does the first FTP upload after the daily reset, it will also upload the latest auto-created monthly and yearly NOAA-style reports. Note that you must already have regular (non-realtime) FTP configured.
MonthFileFormat="NOAAMO"mmyy".txt" Defines the format of the filename used for the monthly reports, using date formatting characters (see Webtags#Time.2FDate_.27format.27_Parameter). The default uses a 2 digit number for the month, but you may prefer the full month name or an abbreviation in your language. Note that any characters which are not date formatting characters should be in double quotes.
YearFileFormat="NOAAYR"yyyy".txt" Defines the format of the filename used for the yearly reports, using date formatting characters (see Webtags#Time.2FDate_.27format.27_Parameter). Note that any characters which are not date formatting characters should be in double quotes.
FTPDirectory= The FTP directory into which Cumulus will attempt to upload the latest NOAA-style reports. You must give the full path from the point of login, and do not supply a trailing 'slash'. Note that the directory must actually exist on the server.
These 'climatic normal' values are set from the NOAA Setup dialog in Cumulus, but could be set up by processing information in a spreadsheet
NOAATempNorm[Jan-Dec]= Long term temperature averages for each month, used for 'departure from the norm' calculations.
NOAARainNorm[Jan-Dec]= Long term rainfall averages for each month, used for 'departure from the norm' calculations.

Section: Solar

Set mostly in solar block at foot of Station Settings screen of Configuration menu.

Parameter Line Entry Function
[Solar] Section Name - the following parameters are set from the Solar Setup dialog in Cumulus
SunThreshold=75 If you have a solar sensor: Cumulus tries to determine whether the sun is shining by determining whether the current solar radiation value is above a certain percentage of the current theoretical maximum. The value you supply here is used as that percentage. The default value is 75%.
RStransfactor=0.8 Cumulus uses the Ryan-Stolzenbach formula to determine the current theoretical maximum solar radiation at your location at the current moment in time. This formula has a factor to allow for the transmission of the radiation through the atmosphere; the default is 0.80.
SolarMinimum=0 This setting allows you to specify a minimum solar radiation value which needs to be reached before it can be considered to be sunny. Note that this setting does not replace the calculation using the current theoretical maximum, it specifies an additional condition which has to be met. This setting therefore allows you to cater for the periods at the beginning and end of the day when the theoretical maximum is very low.
LuxToWM2=0.0079 Edit cumulus.ini to add this parameter if you have a Fine Offset station with a solar detector. These supply 'Lux' values rather than 'W/m2' values that Davis stations supply. Cumulus attempts to convert from Lux to W/m2 using the supplied multiplication factor. You can add this parameter if you want to use a value other than the default of 0.0079, which is the generally accepted standard conversion factor for sunlight.
UseBlakeLarsen=0 Called B/l on screen. Set this to 1 if you have a Blake-Larsen Sun Recorder, and you want Cumulus to get today's sunshine hours from it. You need to configure the Blake-Larsen software to put the SRsunshine.dat file into the Cumulus data folder so that Cumulus can read it.

Section: MainForm

This section will appear in a file that is always called Cumulus.ini, but may be found in two locations. It applies to  Cumulus 1.

  • One file with this section is stored in the reports sub-directory where it stores the position of your last saved NOAA screen.
  • If you have set 'Save main window position' on Display settings screen, this section appears in the Cumulus.ini file found in same directory as cumulus.exe, where it stores the position of the main Cumulus screen on your monitor.
Parameter Line Entry Function
[MainForm] Section name - the following parameters relate to the Cumulus or NOAA screen position.
Left=100 The last saved Cumulus main or NOAA screen position, in pixels from the left-hand edge of the screen.
Top=50 The last saved Cumulus main or NOAA screen position, in pixels from the top edge of the screen
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