How can we measure the weather?
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Rainfall
Rain gauge
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Temperature
Thermometer
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Wind direction
Wind vane
the arrow points
into the wind
The wind has come from
the north.
It is a northerly wind.
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Wind direction
See if you can spot a wind vane
in your local area.
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Wind speed
Anemometer
The wind
pushes the cups
around. The
faster it turns,
the stronger the
wind!
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Beaufort scale
Beaufort
Force
Type of wind
Effects
Speed in
kph
0
Calm
Smoke rises vertically
0
1
Light air
Smoke drifts
1-5
2
Light breeze
Wind felt on face, leaves rustle
6-11
3
Gentle breeze
Leaves and small twigs move
12-20
4
Moderate breeze
Small branches move
21-30
5
Fresh breeze
Small trees sway
31-40
6
Strong breeze
Large branches sway, umbrella used with
difficulty
41-50
7
Moderate gale
Whole trees sway
51-60
8
Gale
Twigs break off trees, hard to walk into
wind
61-74
9
Strong gale
Chimney pots and slates blow off
75-87
10
Storm
Trees uprooted
85-100
11
Violent storm
Rarely occurs inland
101-115
12
Hurricane
Disastrous, widespread damage
115+
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Beauf
ort
Effects
Speed in
kph
0
Smoke rises vertically
0
1
Smoke drifts
1-5
2
Wind felt on face, leaves rustle
6-11
3
Leaves and small twigs move
12-20
4
Small branches move
21-30
5
Small trees sway
31-40
6
Large branches sway, umbrella
used with difficulty
41-50
7
Whole trees sway
51-60
8
Twigs break off trees, hard to
walk into wind
61-74
9
Chimney pots and slates blow off
75-87
10
Trees uprooted
85-100
11
Rarely occurs inland
101-115
12
Disastrous, widespread damage
115+
A
B
C
Match the pictures to the descriptions on the Beaufort
Scale. Write your answers in kph.
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Air pressure
Barometer
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Observation
Cloud types
Cirrus
Cloud Cover
(in oktas)
Cumulus
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clear sky
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Make your own weather station!
How can you measure temperature without a thermometer?
How can you collect and measure rainfall?
How can you measure wind direction without a wind vane?
How can you measure wind speed without an anemometer?
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Make your own rain gauge!
You will need the following equipment :
a 2 litre, empty, soft drinks bottle
scissors and sellotape
container and stones
measuring jug.
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Make your own rain gauge!
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Make your own rain gauge!
1. Find a 2 litre, soft drinks bottle.
2. Cut the top off the bottle and insert it into the remaining
section to make a funnel.
3. Secure the funnel with sellotape.
4. Put your rain gauge outside, in an open space. Secure
the rain gauge in a container with stones around its
base.
5. Take readings every 24 hours by pouring the contents
of the rain gauge into a measuring jug.
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Make your own rain gauge!
Why is this an unsuitable location for your rain gauge?
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Draw a results table
Days
Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday Friday
Rain (mm)
Wind speed
(km/h)
Wind Direction
Cloud Cover(oktas)
Observations
(the clothes you are
wearing should
indicate how cold it
is!)
Remember to take your measurements at the same time each day.
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Match the instrument to the correct description
This instrument will let you know
if the ground is likely to be soft.
This instrument will let you know
whether it is good weather to fly
a kite.
This instrument will help you
decide whether you need a
jumper.
This instrument will let you know
if it is going to be good or bad
weather.
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This is a photo of a weather recording station in Chile.
Can you recognise any of the instruments?
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