Weather instruments

1. What instruments do meteorologists use to collect weather data?

2. A thermometer is an instrument used to measure the air temperature. Temperature can be measure in Celsius or Fahrenheit. When the temperature increases the mercury in the thermometer rises. When the temperature decreases the mercury in the thermometer falls. Thermometer

3. Wind Vane A wind vane is an instrument used to determine the direction from which air is moving. | For example a westerly wind is moving from the west to the east, not towards the west.

4. Anemometer An anemometer is weather instrument used to measure wind speed. An anemometer and a wind vane are often combined into one instrument to gather information about moving air. The anemometer shown here is called a cup anemometer. As air moves and the cups turn data is collected mechanically to produce a rating of wind speed and force.

5. Barometer A barometer is an instrument used to measure air pressure. | Meteorologists can determine whether the air pressure is rising or falling using a barometer. This data can then be used to predict specific weather conditions. High pressure is an indication of good weather, while low pressure indicates stormy weather.

6. Rain Gauge A rain gauge is used to measure the amount of fallen precipitation. They can be mounted like the image on the top or they can be anchored into the ground like the image on the bottom.

7. Pscychrometer A psychrometer is used to measure the relative humidity, or amount of moisture in the air. It consists of two thermometers, one with a dry bulb and one with a wet bulb. The instrument is twirled around to measure the cooling effect of evaporation.

8. Can you name all of the weather instruments seen here?