Two cameras each take an image every 15 seconds, yadda yadda, you get a timelapse video.
Here’s the yadda yadda part:
Scootercam’s Timelapse System
What You’re Watching
Our automated weather monitoring system captures the changing skies near Douglas, Michigan using two high-definition cameras. Every day, these cameras document cloud movements, weather patterns, and seasonal changes, creating beautiful timelapse videos that compress hours of real time into just a few minutes of footage.
How It Works
Two Cameras, Better Coverage We use two cameras positioned to capture different views of the local weather. One camera takes photos at the top of each minute (:00, :15, :30, :45), while the second camera captures images offset by 5 seconds (:05, :20, :35, :50). This staggered timing means we’re photographing the sky every 7.5 seconds, ensuring we don’t miss any rapid weather changes.
Around-the-Clock Monitoring The system operates 24/7, automatically adjusting its capture schedule:
- Daytime (8 AM – 4 PM): Regular monitoring of cloud formations and weather systems
- Evening (4 PM – Midnight): Captures sunset colors and evening weather transitions
- Nighttime (Midnight – 8 AM): Documents overnight weather changes and sunrise
Smart Processing Every 15 minutes, the system automatically creates short video segments from the most recent photos, then uploads them to this website. Throughout each day, these segments are combined into complete daily timelapses showing the full progression of weather patterns.
What You’ll See
Daily Weather Stories Each day’s timelapse tells a unique weather story – from crystal clear morning skies that develop into afternoon thunderstorms, to rolling cloud formations that sweep across Lake Michigan, to dramatic seasonal changes throughout the year.
Enhanced Golden Hour Coverage During sunset periods, the system automatically increases its capture rate to document the rapidly changing colors and lighting conditions that make Michigan sunsets special.
Mobile-Friendly Videos All videos are optimized for viewing on phones and tablets, with smooth playback and reasonable file sizes for easy streaming.
The Location
Our cameras monitor the skies near Douglas, Michigan – a lakefront community along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. This location provides diverse weather patterns influenced by the Great Lakes, from lake-effect snow in winter to dramatic summer thunderstorms rolling in from the west.
Technical Highlights
The system captures approximately 4 photos per minute during active periods, creating daily videos that compress 8 hours of real time into roughly 3 minutes of smooth timelapse footage. The automated system handles everything from image capture to video processing to website updates, ensuring fresh content appears regularly without human intervention.
Each camera contributes about 1,900 images per day, which are processed into broadcast-quality video segments and uploaded automatically. The system includes intelligent cleanup routines to manage storage and maintain optimal performance.
Check back regularly to see the latest weather patterns, or browse our archive to watch how Douglas, Michigan’s skies change throughout the seasons.