Weather Instruments

1. Weather Instruments What are the 6 tools we use to measure the weather?

2. Thermometers • Measures temperature • They tell us if it is going to be a warm day or cool day. • We can also use thermometers to see if we are sick, to measure the temperature of foods, to keep our oven hot and our fridge cold.

3. Barometers • Measures air • Air Pressure is how much force the air is exerting against a surface. • When there is high air pressure, we usually have dry, sunny weather. • When there is low air pressure, we usually have cloudy or wet weather.

4. Hygrometers • Measures humidity • Determine how quickly water evaporates from a wet surface. • If water evaporates really quickly, the humidity is low. If water evaporates really slowly, the humidity is high. • When it is humid outside, we sometimes feel sticky!!

5. Anemometers • Measures wind • Wind is the movement of air in an outside environment. • Wind speed is measured in miles per hour (mph). • Examples of wind speeds might be 10 to 15 mph.

6. Weather Vanes • Measures wind direction • They tell you where the wind is blowing from. • Last night’s wind direction was from the Southeast (SE). • Winds that blow from the North (N) are usually much colder.

7. Rain Gauges • Measure how much precipitation (rain) • You have to read the height of the water collected in the rain gauge. • Rain gauges can only work with liquid precipitation. • Rainfall is measured in inches (in.).