There is a long tradition of physical devices that describe current weather conditions, such as thermometers and anemometers and devices like barometers that can provide reasonably accurate simple weather predictions for periods of 12 to 24 hours. By using online weather data from Dark Sky API, Weather Systems provide at a glance, real-time forecasts that accurately illustrate what the localised weather conditions will be over the next 10 minutes. The devices are shared objects, which means that multiple people can engage with them, unlike an app on a personal smartphone.

There are three components to Weather Systems: Rain, Temperature and Wind. Each device has a simple scale that makes understanding the forthcoming weather easy. People can set up weather alerts, for example if Heavy Rain is imminent, and the device will warn them automatically when such weather is detected. Likewise people can check the forthcoming weather by pressing the single button on each device.

The Rain System warns users of imminent rainfall. A series of pins move up and down striking a metal plate, evoking the look and sound of water splashing. The Temperature System uses four colours to provide a simplified indication of the imminent ‘feel like’ temperature: Below 5 degrees (stay indoors and grab a blanket), 0–10 Degrees (time for a scarf and hat), 10-20 (ideal conditions for a walk), Above 20 degrees (get the shorts on and fire up the barbeque). The Wind System illustrates imminent wind speed and direction, the small weather vane spins at different speeds indicating the intensity of the wind before settling to illustrate the direction its blowing.