Rain Gauge  A tool used for measuring the amount of precipitation in inches or centimeters.

Thermometer  A tool used to measure air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Wind vane  A tool used to measure wind direction.  Sometimes referred to as a wind/weather vane or a wind sock.  Wind direction is described by the direction from which the wind is blowing.

Wind Vane Activity 1. Cut out both the point and tail of an arrow out of an index card. 2. Tape the tail on one end of the straw and the point on the other. 3.Push the pin through the middle of the straw. 4. Stick the pin into the eraser of the pencil. Make sure the straw can turn freely. 5. Try out your wind vane.

Anemometer

 A tool used to measure wind speed in miles per hour.  To calculate the velocity at which your anemometer spins, determine the number of revolutions per minute (RPM). Next, calculate the circumference (in feet) of the circle made by the rotating paper cups. Multiply your RPM value by the circumference of the circle and you will have an approximation of the velocity of at which your anemometer spins (in feet per minute).  Circumfrence= 2 ∏ r or ∏ d

Anemometer Activity  Students will pair up. Students will need to take turns calculating and being the holder of the anemometer. Students will calculate the wind speed of breath, fan on low, fan on high, and outside wind speed for a period of one minute per person. For wind speed of breath, the person holding the anemometer will be the person breathing or blowing for a minute. Students will be broken down into three stations. One will be doing the breathing station, one will be doing the fan on high station, and one will be doing fan on low station. When groups have completed assignment inside the entire class will go outside to check wind speed.

Barometer  A tool used to measure air pressure in inches of mercury or millibars (mb)  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.

Barometer Activity  Tightly cover the top of the coffee can with plastic wrap, using a rubber band to hold the plastic wrap in place.  The cover should be tight making the can airtight.  Place the straw horizontally or sideways on the plastic wrap so that two-thirds of the straw is on the can.  Tape the straw to the middle of the plastic wrap so that it will not fall off.  Tape an index card to the can behind the straw. The straw will act as a pointer on the card.

Sling Psychrometer  A two-thermometer instrument also referred to as a wet-dry bulb.  Used to measure the relative humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air)  Temperatures readings are converted using a relative humidity table.

Relative Humidity Chart

Direct Observations and Measurements  Basic weather conditions can be oberserved/measured or obtained from weather sites (news, weather channel,etc)  To make predictions, data should be collected regularly. This helps see weather patterns.

Weather Maps  Weather maps can help predict weather patterns by indicating high/low pressure systems, movement of air masses and fronts, or temperature ranges.  Station models from specific locations provide information. They can tell cloud coverage, temperature, wind direction and speed, precipitation, or air pressure.

Satellites  Satellite images are used for seeing cloud patterns and movement.  Ex: watching hurricanes movement.

Radar  Radar images can be used to detect cloud cover, rainfall, or storm location, intensity, and movement, as well as the potential for severe weather.