Name: ___________________________________________
Lab - Interpreting Weather Station Models.
Date: __________
Introduction
The reporting of present weather conditions and the forecasting of future weather is the
combined effort of thousands of weather stations throughout the world. More than 600
stations exist in the United States alone. These stations report their weather variables to
the National Weather Service. This weather information is computerized, analyzed, and
plotted on weather maps. Weather maps can then help to forecast changes in the weather.
Symbols and numbers are placed on the weather maps to represent the atmospheric
variables at a particular place and time.
Objectives
In this lab exercise, you will:
1. Analyze 4 weather station models and determine weather factors found at those
locations.
2. Draw 4 weather station models accurately placing the weather factor in the correct
position on the model.
3. Answer summary questions whose answers are based on the relationship of
variables found on station models.
4. Use your knowledge of weather station models to determine weather conditions
on two weather maps of the United States.
5. read an article on Weather and answer question in complete sentences based on
information provided within the article.
Procedures
Part 1 - Using your Earth Science Reference Tables as a guide, analyze station models 14 and fill in the weather data requested in the data table. Be sure to decode all necessary
data.
Part 2 - In this part, you are given weather observations in the data table. Take the data
from the Data Table and fill in the information in the correct location on station models
5-8. Be sure to encode any necessary data.
Part 3 - Using the Eastern and Western maps of the United States, determine the weather
information requested.
Reading Comprehension Read the portion of the article on Weather Instruments below and answer the
following questions based on the reading. Use complete sentences.
Basic Weather Instruments
By Tyler Lacoma, eHow Contributor
http://www.ehow.com/about_5268074_basic-weather-instruments.html
Weather instruments are used to give meteorologists information on the behavior of weather patterns and
how they affect the atmosphere. They range from simple devices, such as thermometers and rain gauges
that measure heat and rainfall, to more intricate instruments, such as the psychrometer, which uses a dry
and wet thermometer to measure the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Because weather patterns are
part of the heat, pressure and moisture systems of the atmosphere, measuring these variables can help
scientists predict the weather.
Basic Principles
Weather instruments are all focused on one primary task measuring atmospheric conditions. Meteorologists
are interested in all of the effects that cause different types of weather, including heat, pressure, moisture
and wind. The instruments help them measure these variables quickly and precisely. By documenting
atmospheric conditions and applying physical laws to their occurrence, scientists can observe and predict
weather patterns. While many of their instruments are common and used for many different purposes, some
are specific to meteorologists and have particular functions.
Thermometer
Thermometers measure temperature, more specifically, they measure the temperature of the surrounding
air. To receive a full set of results, scientists usually take thermometer readings at a set of locations and
altitudes. Pockets of air move up and down in the atmosphere, based on how much heat they have. Such
movements produce most of the noticeable weather effects, including the movements of rainstorms and the
creation of tornadoes. Of course, scientists can also find a wealth of information by measuring the heat of
the oceans where weather patterns originate.
Anemometer
Anemometers measure the qualities of the wind that is blowing in the area. They measure wind strength
and direction, giving scientists vital information on where and how fast storms are moving. Direction is
easy to measure, but the anemometer also shows the pressure built up within the wind and the velocity at
which it is traveling.
Barometer/Barograph
A barometer uses air or mercury to measure the pressure of the atmosphere. Atmospheric pressure shifts
based on altitude and strong weather effects. Changes in pressure can show scientists what types of weather
patterns are developing, providing early warnings signs for such destructive events as tornadoes and
hurricanes. In aneroid barometers, the air outside is compared to a pocket of air at a stable pressure within
the device, while mercury versions measure the change in mercury, which shifts based on the current
pressure.
Psychrometer/Hygrometer
The psychrometer is just one example of how these and many other instruments can be combined to form a
set of data on one given effect. Psychrometers use different sets of thermometers to measure relative
humidity at a specific location. One device has a dry bulb, and the other has a wet bulb. By measuring the
difference between these two thermometers, scientists can pinpoint how much moisture is in the air at the
time. Hygrometer is the general name for these systems, and there are other kinds of hygrometers that use
different methods to measure humidity, such as the dew point hygrometer.
1. What does the use of weather instruments allow meteorologists to do that affects
you everyday?
2. Why do scientists use more than one thermometer in an area when measuring
temperature?
3. What two materials do barometers use to measure air pressure?
4. Why is a barometer important for making weather forecasts?
5.
Describe how a psychrometer works.