Honestly, I don’t have a problem if Rachio is trying to monetize their partnership, but they will need to bring something better to the table than current WU integration 
Although, that’s not what Rachio support implied in the post I shared above.
I decided to pull the trigger and get one. I already got my order confirmation which has an integration code. This code does not look like a MAC address. My interpretation is that the code is what will actually unlock the Tempest integration in the Rachio app.
I was able to link the Tempest to Rachio with “hardware integration id” provided by the WeatherFlow Support. Hats off to both companies’ support staff for prompt responses.
Contacting Tempest for ID was easy peasy
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My Rachio app says it supports Tempest, but off hand, I did not see where. I obviously do not have the Tempest yet.
Hi everyone. As always, thank you for your engagement with our community. We understand and apologize for the confusion. We are iteratively releasing a new weather feature set that will integrate the WeatherFlow Tempest station through a direct api-to-api integration and use its data, from your yard, as a full replacement weather source. In a future release, it will also serve as a real-time temperature, rain, and wind sensor that can adjust schedules, which will not be available through WI+ because the interpolated weather service doesn’t have access to real-time on-site weather metrics – this will be for Tempest only.
Some context for this feature might help. As you all know, Rachio controllers come standard with WI+ with the option to integrate single stations through Weather Underground, an excellent weather service that suits the needs of many of our customers. Rachio will never charge for this ongoing weather service.
However, some of you prefer to get weather from your yard for a variety of reasons, including variable micro-climate weather and long distances to reliable weather stations, and may be excited about real-time weather metrics driving schedules from a trusted sensor. To satisfy this group of customers we have built an in-depth integration with the WeatherFlow Tempest station to leverage yard-specific, reliable sensor data for more accurate weather and to build real-time features that wouldn’t be excellent without a fully integrated weather station.
This new weather feature set that goes beyond the standard WI+ and PWS support will be for sale for anyone that wants to purchase it in a future release. Currently, it is only available through rachio.com as a gift with purchase of a Tempest weather station to control the sale of this new feature set.
We have finished the integration as a full weather source at this time and we’re beginning work on a follow-up release that will include real time weather features. At that time, we’ll make it available to purchase in-app for people that purchase the Tempest outside of rachio.com.
This new feature set is not a subscription. And, everyone can also continue to use WI+ and integrate a limited set of their Tempest data through Weather Underground as a PWS if they prefer not to purchase this integration.
That all said, we understand that many of you have been with us for a long time and may have already purchased a Tempest elsewhere, and given this feature set is still being developed, we’d love your feedback to help us build great new features enabled by a weather station. If you already have a Tempest and want to participate, DM me.
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@Thomas_Lerman You will need to download the latest release of the app. When your Tempest arrives, from the home screen, go back to the device list and click “add device”. There is now an option to connect a Tempest weather station.
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I cannot wait to get the Tempest. Right after I posted my last post, I wondered if it was in “Add Device” and there it is (already had the latest release of the app). Thank you for the clarification with both of those postings, @drew_thayer!
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@drew_thayer Sounds like a fundamental change on how controllers currently operate.
Will this be handled in the cloud, or would local network settings need to make sure that tempest and rachio are on the same network? For example my current IoT devices (like Rachio) are on a separate wifi network which only allow internet access, without ability to see any other local devices (similar to a standard Guest network).
Don’t use Tempest at this time, running older 5-in-1 Acurite sensor(s), mainly because they are easier to calibrate for rain acuracy. That being said, I’m getting excited about Tempest integration. Once real-time support is up an running count me as a customer 
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I didn’t get the email from Rachio, but am also interested in the Tempest. I really dislike that my 5-in-1 Acurite can’t get the date and time from it’s internet connection, and hiccups back to Jan 1 of some year back almost every time the power goes out for bit (but not EVERY time of course – just likes to do it when I’m traveling!!!) and then thinks it rained miles of water.
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Yes, alas @Linn was the last one I’ve recommended 5-in-1 to. Acurite’s quality took a real downturn, and they seem to be racing to the bottom.
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Does tempest have the capability of providing the evapotranspiration rate?
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@Gerardv514 according to one of their investor communications, evapotranspiration calculation is coming in a software update.
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What’s the consensus here, is this a good product when compared to other devices on the market?
I am not sure if you are asking about Rachio or Tempest. I presume you are asking about Tempest since this is what the thread is. I do not have one quite yet. It is on order though. I have been eyeing it for a while now. Knowing that it integrates with Rachio put it over the edge to get. I really like the idea of it being high-tech, smart, no moving parts, and not seeming to need to change the batteries every year (or whatever). I am sure once I get it and it is all set up, I will wish for more things. This means I will probably be involved in their community to some degree. From what I see, it seems that most people that have one here really like it. Like everything else, I am sure some do not like it. I am seeing on Amazon that it was given a 4.5 from 759 reviews (77% are a 5). It seems to me that those having issues are the biggest percent to rate. I rarely rate things myself even if having issues as I work with the company or community to resolve.
I’ve had one for about a year and love it. The forecast accuracy is spot on and the lack of moving parts and solar power is a huge plus. In addition the the Rachio integration I also use in with my smart home “Hubitat” for a number of other purposes.
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Does anyone know if you can share this integration between 2 accounts? In other words, if 2 neighbors each had a Rachio and they wanted to split the cost of the Tempest could they each link to the same Tempest?
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@Gerardv514 my only complaint about the Tempest is that it won’t detect long periods of very light / misty rain.
Otherwise, it’s easy to set up, not bad on the eyes, and so far has been much more accurate for my spot than the guesses interpolated from the official stations.
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This isn’t possible in the current version. My next door neighbor has a Rachio as well using my Tempest and I asked the same question to @drew_thayer via PM and this was his response…
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I’ll have to watch for that and see if mine picks it up. I’ve only had thunderstorms since it has been up.
The biggest challenge to get accurate results is installation location. I can’t get good wind readings without a tall pole and that would probably add vibration that would hurt the rain accrucy. I ended up just using the universal mount that they sell. I put it on the fascia in a spot with full sun and used the install option to extend away from the roof to help keep the temperature readings accurate.
Rain is close enough that I don’t need to try and measure with a rain gauge and the rest of the measurements match others in the area. It’s been a lot better than just relying on Rachio to figure out how much it has rained. In the past I’ve had to watch the schedule because of isolated rain dropping a bunch in 1 spot and then it still wanting to water.
I got my code and added it. Will report feedback.