Thanks so much for the quick responses to my question. They are very helpful, and I think I need to expand/clarify a bit. I have some simple devices to check the weather in my back yard when I am home … an analog rain gauge, indoor/outdoor digital thermometer/hygrometer (although the hygrometer no longer works so I need to replace it), wind vane, an ancient analog barometer that still sort of works. So I can check the weather in my back yard (sort of anyway) when I am home and can walk out in the back yard. My main motivation for wanting a weather station, other that just replacing my old outdated devices, is to be able to check the weather in my back yard when I am not at home, and also to share it with distant relatives, friends and close by neighbors. Weather is a great conversation catalyst, and it is fun when others can check on your weather conditions.
So for me, being able to access my back yard weather from afar is the whole motivation for having a weather station. Without that, I can just replace my old simple devices with newer more reliable ones. That is why Weather Underground or something comparable is important to me. I am guessing I am not alone, and if WU is no longer viable, I think it will have a terrible impact on Ambient, Acurite … probably even Davis.
But, again thanks for the responses to my question … it is indeed helpful and gives me pause about investing in a weather station. I look forward to more comments.