Weather Tools
&
Measurements
Weather
Administration
Essential Questions
• What are they?
• What do they measure?
• What are their units
• Who observes the weather for us?
Instruments of Weather
Make a list of five of the most
common weather instruments that
you can think of.
The Most Common Weather
Tools Are:
• Thermometer
• Wind Vane
• Anemometer
• Barometer
• Rain Gauge
• Psychrometer
• H.V.S.
Thermometer
• A thermometer is a
weather tool used to
measure the
temperature
• It’s unit of
measurements are
degrees Celsius or
degrees Fahrenheit
Wind Vane
• By observing wind
vanes and compasses,
we can know the
direction of the wind.
• Compass rose and/or 0
to 360 degrees
Anemometer
• An anemometer is a
weather tool that
measures wind
speed.
• Km/hr and m/hr
Barometer
• Barometers are
important to
measuring air
pressure.
• millibars (mb) or
inches of mercury.
High – Fair
Low - Foul
Rain Gauge
• A rain gauge is a
weather tool used to
collect rain.
• Rulers measure frozen
forms of precipitations
• Centimeters or inches
Psychrometer
• A psychrometer is
used to measure
humidity or
moisture in the air.
• Percent (%)
moisture held in the
air.
High Volume Sampler
• H.V.S. samples air
quality.
• Accessories can be
added to monitor any
type of pollutants
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Other tools are…
Weather Maps
Radar
Doppler Radar
Satellites / GPS
Weather Balloons / Radiosonde
“Personal observations”
Almanac
Lightening Detector
Weather Rope or Weather Rock
Weather Maps
• A weather map
displays various
meteorological features
across a particular area
at a particular point in
time. Such maps are
used for research and
weather forecasting
purposes.
Radar and Doppler
• Weather radar, also
called weather
surveillance radar
(WSR) and Doppler
weather radar, is a
type of radar used
to locate precipitation
calculate its motion,
estimate its type .
Satellites and G.P.S.
• The weather
satellite is a type of
satellite that is
primarily used to
monitor the
weather and
climate of the
Earth.
Weather Balloons and
Radiosonde
• A weather or
sounding balloon is a
balloon which carries
weather instruments
aloft to send back
information by means
of a small, expendable
measuring device
called a radiosonde.
Personal Observations
• Most important
tool in science.
Almanac
• Records and predicts
astronomical events the
rising and setting of the
Sun, lunar phases, tides,
weather, and other
phenomena with respect to
time, climate and seasons.
• Helps with crop planting
and harvest schedules.
Lightening Detector
• Detects
lightening
strikes within
a certain
mileage
perimeter.
Weather Rope / Weather Rock
Personal Observations
NOAA???
National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration
Who Administers the
Atmospheric Conditions???
• The National Weather Service is a
component of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).
• NOAA is an Operating Unit of the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
Organizational Structure…
U. S. Department of Commerce
(International Trade, US Business Growth, Aid in
Technological Advancement)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
(Climate, Ocean Life, Satellites, Research)
National Weather Service
(Forecasts, Warnings, River Data, Weather Safety)
International Responsibilities
The World Meteorological
Organization (WMO)
is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the
state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere,
its interaction with the oceans, the climate it
produces and the resulting distribution of
water resources.
Reading a Weather Map and
Station Models.
Essential Questions:
• What are the symbols used in reporting the
weather?
• What is a station model and how is it read?
SWBAT
• Analyze station models and their symbols
• Construct station models
• Complete an online station model activity
Station Model
Weather Condition Symbols
Cloud Coverage Symbols
Precipitation Symbols
Cloud Type Symbols
Barometric Shorthand
• http://regentsearth.com/Illustrated%20ESR
T/Page%2013%20%28Weather%20Map%2
0Symbols%29/Pressure.htm
Wind Conditions - Wind Barb
Station Models Game
• http://itg1.meteor.wisc.edu/wxwise/Ackerm
anKnox/chap1/station-1.html
• http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxwise/station/p
age5.html