Weather Instruments
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What you will learn
- 1Name common weather instruments and what each one measures
- 2Match each instrument to the weather condition it records
Mini Lesson
Scientists who study weather are called meteorologists. They use special instruments to measure different weather conditions. Each instrument is made to measure one part of the weather carefully.
Common Weather Instruments
- Thermometer — measures the temperature of the air.
- Rain gauge — collects and measures how much rain has fallen.
- Barometer — measures air pressure, which helps predict weather changes.
- Anemometer — measures the speed of the wind.
- Wind vane — shows the direction the wind is blowing from.
- Hygrometer — measures humidity, which is the amount of water vapor in the air.
- Snow gauge — measures the depth of snow that has fallen.
- Sunshine recorder — records how many hours of sunlight there are in a day.
Why Measuring Weather Matters
- Forecasting — data from instruments helps predict tomorrow's weather.
- Safety — warnings about storms or extreme heat can save lives.
- Farming — farmers use weather data to decide when to plant or harvest crops.
- Science — long-term records reveal climate patterns and changes over time.
Words to know
Meteorologist
A scientist who studies the weather
e.g. A meteorologist gives the weather forecast on TV.
Thermometer
An instrument that measures temperature
e.g. The thermometer showed 72°F today.
Rain gauge
An instrument that collects and measures rainfall
e.g. The rain gauge held half an inch of rain.
Anemometer
An instrument that measures wind speed
e.g. The anemometer spun fast in the storm.
Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the air, measured by a hygrometer
e.g. High humidity makes the air feel sticky.
A weather station is a place where several instruments are set up together so that scientists can collect many different measurements at the same time.
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