Weather Instruments
tools the meteorologist uses to predict weather
Thermometers
A thermometer measures the air temperatures. Most of the thermometers are closed glass tubes containing special liquids such as alcohol or mercury. The air around the tube heats up the liquid, then the liquid expands and moves up the tubes. Then a scale shows the actual temperature is.
Barometers
Barometers measures the air pressure. Barometers tells you whether or not the air is rising or falling. A barometer that is rising means that it will be sunny and dry, and a falling barometer means that it will be stormy and wet. An Italian scientist that is named Torricelli made the first barometer in 1643.
A sling psychrometer
A sling psychrometer measures the relative humidity, using a cooling effect of evaporation. There are two thermometers used in a sling psychrometer. Wet a cloth of one of the thermometers and swing the psychrometer a couple of times. water then evaporates from the cloth, causing temperatures to be lower than the other.
rain gauges
rain gauges measures the amount of rain falling over a specific time period.
Wind vanes
Wind vanes are instruments that determines the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Anemometers
anemometers are meters that measure wind speed. The cups catches the wind, which turns a dial attached to the instruments. Then the dial shows the wind speed.
Weather Maps
Weather maps indicate atmospheric conditions above a large portion of the worlds surface. Meteorologists use weather maps to forecast the weather.
hydrometers
Hydrometers measures the water vapor content of air or the humidity
Weather Balloons
Weather balloons measure weather conditions higher up in the atmosphere.
Compasses
Compasses are navigational instruments for finding directions
Weather satellites
Weather satellites are used to photograph and track large-scale air movements. Meteorologists compile and analyze data with the help of computers.
Eyes
Eyes are one of the best ways to help detect the weather. Always try to keep an eye at the sky and you'll usually be on top of weather conditions.