There are certain tools used for observing and predicting the weather. The more high-tech ones (such as satellites) are described in the forecast section. Below you'll find the simple ones that measure different parts of the weather, as well the forecasting systems found inside the weather station.
[ OUTSIDE | INSIDE | FORECASTING ]
First, we'll head outside the station to the instruments that are set to get contact with the weather conditions. These are the instruments that you will find there.
Anemometer: This device measures the wind's speed by catching wind in cups. When the wind catches in the cups, the device rotates and the speed can be calculated by watching how fast the device completes one full rotation.
Ceilometer: Using rotating beams, this device measures the cloud height from the ground.
Rain Gauge: This device measures the amount of rainfall. A simple can catches the rain and the amount of water that fell can be easily measured.
Solar Instrument: This instrument measures how much sun there is each day, counting the minutes of sunshine per day.
Thermometer: This device measures the temperature of the air by using liquid mercury. The mercury in the thermometer rises when the temperature rises, so you can determine what the temperature is.
Weather Balloon: To determine what is happening with the wind and weather, this device is released twice a day from certain weather offices. Each day, two stations are assigned to release the balloons. As the balloon gets higher, it signals back changes in temperature, air pressure, and humidity using the radiosonde attached to the end of the balloon. The information is then recorded and available on computer to all the weather stations.
Wind Vane: This device shows which way the wind is blowing. The wind rotates an arrow (or rooster, or some other symbol) to point in the same direction the wind is blowing. By using an indicator marked with the directions (north, south, east, and west), the direction can be calculated.
Back inside, its a good idea to check what was recorded outside to the instruments inside. Some of the gauges are connected to some of the outside instruments.
Barograph: The barograph is an instrument that records the air pressure. When the pressure changes, a lever is moved up and down and lines are written on a grid to show the changes.
Barometer: A barometer is also a device that has to do with air pressure, but it measures the amount of air pressure instead of recording the changes like the barograph. When the air pressure changes, the barometer changes as well. By looking at a scale, you can determine the amount of air pressure at the time.
Ceilometer: The rotating beam ceilometer from outside is hooked to this instrument inside. The instrument inside records the calculations of the instrument outside to determine the height of clouds.
Dew Point: This device measures the temperature at which dew, water on the ground, forms.
Humidity: The humidity is the amount of moisture in the air, and it can be calculated by reading the dew point and the temperature.
Maximum Temperature: This is the highest temperature that has been recorded that day.
Minimum Temperature: This is the lowest temperature that has been recorded that day.
Precipitation Gauge: Just as the rain gauge outside measures the amount of rainfall, the precipitation gauge keeps a running total of the amount of rain or snow that has fallen.
Solar Instrument: The instrument outside that records the number of minutes of sun each day is hooked to this instrument inside, where the number of minutes is recorded.
Sunshine and Rain: This device keeps a record of the amount of sun and rain of the day using lines like the barograph. When the rain changes to sun (or vice versa), the line changes.
Temperature: This is how hot or cold it is outside, and is measured with a thermometer. There are two ways to measure the temperature, one in Celsius degrees and the other in Fahrenheit degrees.
Wind Direction: This is a gauge that shows which way the wind is flowing. Using the wind vane outside, this device points in compass-like fashion to the right direction.
Wind Speed: This device shows how fast the wind is going using the anemometer outside. The gauge changes when the wind changes, so that the differences can be seen.
Broadcasting System: In order to let people know what the weather is doing, the weather station has a broadcasting system. Both the immediate weather forecaster and the extended weather forecaster record information on tape that runs continuously as an update. A recording is also made for people who call in for information.
High Pressure: This is when the air pressure rises, and it is usually cold and dry air. It can be seen by the forecaster on the weather map.
Low Pressure: This is when the air pressure falls, and it is usually hot and moist. It can also be seen by the forecaster on the weather map.
Satellite Weather Map: This device is a picture of the weather patterns from a satellite that is circling the earth from space. There are many such satellites, and their information is really valuable to forecasters.
Weather Map: This s a map that is transmitted over the computer from the central weather station, and it shows updates on the high and low pressure areas, among other things.
Weather Radar Monitor: This map shows the where and when of precipitation.