Wind Vane … How It Works It measures which way the wind is blowing. Where can you find them? They are often found on the tip of a tall building because it won’t work if it’s at tree level because the trees break the wind. What do they look like? Wind vanes usually have an arrow that has a tail on it that spins on a vertical shaft. The arrow point spins depending on the direction of the wind.

Rain Gauge How does it work? A rain gauge collects precipitation. Who uses them? Scientists and meteorologists use them when they study the weather. What do they look like? They’re clear tubes with markings on them in millimeters or inches.

Thermometer What does it do? A thermometer measures the temperature of a substance. Who uses them? Meteorologists use them to study temperature change in the atmosphere.

Weather Map Weather maps are snapshots of the weather at an exact time.

Satellites Who uses them? Meteorologists use satellites. What does it do? Meteorologists track weather systems out in the ocean where weather stations are unavailable.

Anemometer Meteorologists use anemometers as wind indicators which tell you how fast the wind is blowing. The name anemometer comes from the Greek root word “anemos” meaning “wind,” “measure”. Robert Hooke, the great inventor, created the anemometer in 1667.

Radar In the beginning the radar was not invented for the weather. During World War II England used the radar to identify the Nazi’s air strike. Later on they realized that the radars screen would turn a gray haze while it rained. They work by sending out radio waves at very high frequency. When the radio signals hit raindrops, part of the signal bounces back to the radar traveling at the speed of light.

Weather Balloons They carry packages called radiosondes. It gets the upper-air data needed to forecast the weather. They are launched twice a day in 1,000 sites around the world.

Barometer A barometer measures air pressure. When the air pressure is rising it’s likely to be fair. An aneroid barometer is a flexible metal bellow that is sealed. If the metal bellow squeezes the needle goes up, but if it doesn’t it goes down.

Windsock It indicates which way the wind is blowing. If the wind is blowing north the wind is coming from the south. It’s in the shape of a cone.

Conclusion… Weather instruments include anemometers, barometers, weather maps, wind vanes, satellites, rain gauges, windsocks, weather balloons, and thermometer. Overall, these instruments help meteorologists study the weather, make a forecast, and warn citizens of changing weather patterns.

Microsoft Student