Rain Gauge
A rain gauge measures precipitation. There are two major types of rain gauges used in weather observations. One type is a tipping bucket and the other is a weighing rain gauge. Generally, 10" of snow for 1" of rain can work as a fairly good ration but not always.

Orbit the Earth above the Atmosphere. Images show clouds cover, warm and cool regions, and invisible water vapor.

Make important measurements of the air at different altitudes as they carry instruments high into the Atmosphere.

Ground Weather Stations
Hold instruments that measure air pressure, temperature, dew point, precipitation, wind speed, wind direction, and cloud cover.

Weather Buoy
Record the weather far from cities. They also measure conditions in the ocean that affect the atmosphere.

Weather Airplanes and Ships
Can carry instrument packages that make measurements wherever they go

Radar Stations
Locate clouds and measure their heights. Doppler radar, a special type of equipment, can detect air motion and precipitation.

Anemometer
An ANEMOMETER measures wind speed. The cups catch the wind, turning a dial attached to the instrument. The dial shows the wind speed.

Wind Vane
A wind vane measures wind direction.

Hygrometer
A hygrometer measures humidity which is the amount of water vapor in the air.

Thermometer
A thermometer measures temperature (max/min). The National Weather Service keeps the thermometer six feet above ground in a white box thus keeping the sensor in the shade. Most thermometers are closed glass tubes containing liquids such as alcohol or mercury. When air around the tube heats the liquid, the liquid expands and moves up the tube. A scale then shows what the actual temperature is.

Barometer
A BAROMETER measures air pressure. It tells you whether or not the pressure is rising or falling. A rising barometer means sunny and dry conditions, while a falling barometer means stormy and wet conditions. An Italian scientist named Torricelli built the first barometer in 1643.

Sling Psychrometer
A SLING PSYCHROMETER measures relative humidity, using the cooling effect of evaporation. Two thermometers are used in a sling psychrometer. Wet the cloth of one of the thermometers and swing the psychrometer around a few times. Water evaporates from the cloth, causing the temperatures on that thermometer to be lower than the other.

Radiosonde
A radiosonde (or rawinsonde) is a package of weather instruments attached to a weather balloon that radios back to earth upper air observations.

Weather Maps
WEATHER MAPS indicate atmospheric conditions above a large portion of the Earth's surface.
Meteorologists use weather maps to forecast the weather.

Eyes
YOUR EYES are one of the best ways to help detect the weather. Always keep an eye at the sky and you'll usually be on top of weather conditions.