DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURAL AND
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Visca, Baybay
City, Leyte, PHILIPPINES
ľelephone: (053) 525-0140
local 1015 Email:
dabe@vsu.edu.ph
Website: www.vsu.edu.ph

ABEn 145 – HYDROMETEOROLOGY

Name: Lormelyn O. Tribunalo Course and Year: BSABE 3

Group No.: 6 Lab Schedule: F(1:00-4:00 ) PM

Laboratory Exercise No. 3

AIR TEMPERATURE AND ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

I. INTRODUCTION

In our day to day life, we somehow notice that the temperature varies differently from time
to time. This is due to the lying principles of temperature wherein it is the most basic and
fundamental weather element that almost is connected or affect other weather elements.
Temperature also is significant in medical care, food, beverages and agriculture, more particularly
in food production and food security areas. We defined temperature as a physical quantity that
express the hotness or coldness of a substance, but, when we say air temperature it indicates to
how quickly molecules present in the air moves. The increase in temperature, also increase the
number of molecules present in the air. Air temperature can me measured through various devices,
such as the maximum-minimum thermometer and thermograph that can be seen in the PAG-ASA
VSU Agromet Station.
Pressure refers to the collision of forces between gas molecules that exerts forces on each
other and their environment. Associated with the study of hydrometeorology, atmospheric pressure,
the pressure present in air, is a force exerted by an overlying column of air extending to the outer
limit of the atmospheric per unit area. There are many devices that can measure atmospheric
pressure, such as, the barometer that has two types, the mercurial and aneroid barometer wherein
both measures air pressure in a certain environment and barograph that is a recording barometer,
these two can be found at the Agromet station.
In this laboratory exercise, the student must acquaint himself in the different instruments
that measures air temperature and atmospheric pressure. And at the end of the report, the student
must be able to understand the concept and underlying principle of these properties.
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II. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
- Standard Thermometer
- Maximum and Minimum Thermometer
- Thermograph, Barometer
- Barograph

III. METHODS

On the start of this course subject, a tour in the VSU-PAGASA Agromet Station was made
and a discussion and demonstration pertinent to the instruments is conducted by the assigned
technician in the Agromet station. For this particular report, the instructor provided a schedule of
date of the data to be taken and it also includes data need to be taken from previous years. The
data was obtained through the recording of the current (dry bulb), minimum, and maximum air
temperature from the standard, minimum, and maximum thermometers located 2 meters above
the ground surface in the instrument shelter. A reading of the atmospheric pressure is also needed
in this laboratory report, however, the Gromet station doesn`t obtained data for atmospheric
pressure for the past years. The station just recently started their data gathering on atmospheric
pressure and that is why in this laboratory report, we will exclude the atmospheric pressure in the
table. After gathering the data needed, the student input the observation data to the table provided
and also, the cloud cover was determined for the day at the time of the given observation date.
Then, the student evaluate, solve and answer problems in the laboratory report.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Function and Operating Principles of the Standard Thermometer, Maximum Thermometer,

Minimum Thermometer, Barograph and Digital Thermometer and their requirements for
installations:

For Standard Thermometer:

Function and Operating Principle: Its main function is to measure temperature or
temperature gradient. It works on the principle that solids and liquids tend to expand
with temperature. Mercury is the very important factor on this type of thermometer.
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 When a thermometer lamp is immersed in a given solution or a substance lets say,
then the mercury begin to rise. The rise in mercury or its increase is studied on the
temperature scale.

Installation Requirements: It's important to be careful when installing the light bulb so it
doesn't get damaged. The sensor should be completely submerged in the medium being
measured. When you put a light bulb in a thermometer, it's important to make sure the bulb
is correctly fitted. If it's not, the thermometer might give inaccurate readings. To light the
bulb, put it in the thermowell until it's bottomed out and then tighten the compression nut to
hand tight. Then turn it by turning the quarter turn. Never try to stretch a capillary by yourself.
This could cause the system to break. Do not tighten the instrument too much by grasping
the case. This will create distortions that will lead to calibration error.

For Maximum Thermometer:

Function and Operating Principle: The maximum thermometer records maximum daily
temperatures. It operates when, the temperature increases, the alcohol in the left
tube expands. A metal indicates on the right tube shifts and gives us the maximum
temperature for the day.

Installation Requirements: The thermometer's bulb and graduated scale are separated by a
small opening. This makes the thermometer's temperature reading accurate. As the
temperature rises, more mercury is forced past the constriction, and into the graduated
section. A mercury thermometer is able to measure temperature changes accurately even
when the temperature drops a lot. This is because it has a scale that goes around in a circle.
An index that is free to move around a thermometer is held in place by friction at the highest
temperature.

For Minimum Thermometer:

Function and Operating Principle: It records minimum daily temperatures. It operates when,
then temperature decreases, the alcohol contracts in the left tube and the mercury
moves into the left tube. A metal indicates in the left tube shift and give us the
minimum temperature of the day.
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 Installation Requirements: The thermometer is installed in horizontal mounting so that,
when it is cold outside, the thermometer's pointer moves down towards the light bulb. When
it warms up, the pointer goes back to the top.

For Barograph:
Function and Operating Principles: The barometer is a recording aneroid barometer wherein,
changes in atmospheric pressure are recorded on a paper chart. Its operating
principle goes by, If the outside pressure changes, the metal box will change shape,
because it is not able to hold its air pressure. The levers on the box move it around,
and that movement is then sent to the arm with the writing or drawing tools. A scribe
records information on smoked foil while a pen records information on paper using
ink. The recording material is mounted on a cylindrical drum that rotates slowly by a
clock. The rotation rate can be selected by the user.
Installation Requirements: The barograph should be installed horizontally on foam
mountings on the rigid surface. It should be protected by excessive vibration, direct sunlight,
local heat sources and gusts. If the reading of the pressure at one instant is required the
instruments maybe given a light tap but not prior to an observation of tendency.

For Digital Barometer:

Function and Operating Principles: An alternative to mercurial barometer that measures air
pressure and is used commonly for weather observation. To measure pressure, a
digital barometer employs a micro- electromechanical (MEMs) sensors. MEMs for
pressure sensing are typically tiny integrated circuits (ICs) that combine electronic
and mechanical elements to sense pressure. Capacitive or piezoresistive MEMs
pressure. Capacitive or piezoresistive MEMs pressure sensors are the most
common.
Installation Requirements: To obtain the required data at any time, the measuring
instrument should only need to be installed once.As a result, the digital barometer needs to
be ready to use at all times.Humidity and air pressure are typically measured together.It
doesn't need individual alignment.It automatically measures temperature and humidity, air
pressure, and a variety of other parameters.This means that this kind of instrument can be
used in a lot of different working environments besides clean rooms.

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 Based on the given data from the Agromet station from readings of the air temperature, below is
the tabulated table shown:

Table 1. Data collection format for sunshine duration, air temperature, and cloud cover.
VSU-PAGASA Agrometeorological Station, Baybay City, Leyte
Geographical location:10°44'43.25068’’N, 124°47’26.90275’’E
Elevation above MSLP: 7 m
Item Raw Data Date
No. Nov. 2, 2022 Nov. 3, 2022 Nov. 4, 2022
8 AM 2 PM 8 AM 2 PM 8 AM 2 PM
1 Min. air temp. of the day,
24.9ºC 25.35ºC 25.1ºC
°C
2 Max. air temp. of the
30.15ºC 29.6ºC 30.45ºC
day, °C
3 Dry bulb (air temp), °C 26.2ºC 30.0ºC 28.0ºC 30.9ºC 27.3ºC 31.0ºC
4 Mean Sea Level Pressure
from 1010.5 1007.2 1010.7 1007.8 1011.8 1008.4

5 Atmospheric Pressure
No No No No No No
from digital barometer,
recorded recorded recorded recorded recorded recorded
hPa data data data data data data
6 Cloud cover, okta 8 8 6 6 6 6

Computed variables Daily computed values

7 Mean air temperature,
(1)+(2) 27.53°C 54.95°C 27.78°C
� � °C
2

8 Mean dry bulb

28.1°C 29.45°C 29.15°C
temperature, °C
9 Remarks

Table 1 shows inputted data from the data gathering and tabulated as follows:

Sample Computations:

For Mean Air Temperature:

(1) + (2) (24.9°�) + (30.15℃)
= 2
= 2
= 27.525 °C

For Mean Dry Bulb:

(� �� 8 ��) + (� �� 2 ��) (26.2℃) + (30.0℃)
=2
= 2
= 28.1°C
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 Tabulated record low and high for the past year for the following variables and corresponding
date and time these values occurred at VSU as shown in the Table 2.

Table 2. Data collection format for record high and high for the year 2011.
Data Date (MM-DD-YYYY) Value
Lowest air temperature No data recorded No data recorded
Highest air temperature No data recorded No data recorded
Lowest maximum temperature MARCH 29.8°C
Highest maximum temperature APRIL 33.0°C
Lowest minimum temperature JANUARY 22.8°C
Highest minimum temperature OCTOBER 25.5°C
Lowest atmospheric pressure No data recorded No data recorded
Highest atmospheric pressure No data recorded No data recorded

Data obtained in table 2 was from the record in the Agromet Station for maximum and minimum
temperatures for 2011. Shown in the table below are the calculated mean from temperatures for
2011 (1 year):

Table 3. Calculated Mean of max and min temperatures for 2011.

Month Maximum , °C Maximum, °C Minimum, °C Minimum, °C
(8 AM) (2 PM) (8 AM) (2 PM)
Jan 22.8 24.9
Feb 32.4 23.2 24.4
Mar 29.8 32.1 29.9 24.9
Apr 30.1 33.0 23.5 25.4
May 30.0 32.6 23.3 25.2
Jun 30.2 32.5 23.2 25.2
Jul 30.1 32.5 23.1 25.1
Aug 30.1 32.6 23.3 25.3
Sep 30.3 32.8 23.3 25.4
Oct 30.3 32.8 23.4 25.5
Nov 30.1 32.4 23.1 25.1
Dec 30.0 32.2 22.9 25.0

Answers to Questions:
a. Explain the causes of spatial and temporal variation of air temperature.
- Spatial and temporal variation or air temperature is due to the differential heating
by the sun. In addition to the latitude, other factors, like topography, contribute to spatial
variability, with hotter regions in the valley and at higher altitudes.Because land heats up
faster than the sea, lake, or ocean, temperatures can also vary in areas close to
water.They can be daily, when the temperature is different during the day from at night, or
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 seasonal, depending on the climate of the area at the time. At a temporal variability, they
can be daily.
b. One of the other uses of thermometer is to measure the temperature of the soil. Why
is soil temperature important to agriculture, particularly to crops? Briefly explain the
variation of temperature with soil depth and time.

- Agriculture relies heavily on soil temperature because the right warmth at the
right depths not only encourages effective plant growth, but also helps plants grow
faster.Additionally, it is necessary for seed germination;It chooses the best time to
sow.Because solar radiation is the primary source of earth heating, farmers must
manage the hottest peaks during the day, when the sun is at its strongest. Soil
temperature regimes vary daily, monthly, and seasonally.There is a strong connection
between soil temperature and plant growth.By increasing the uptake of water and
nutrients by plants, warmth encourages growth.The photosynthesis process is slowed by
low temperatures because of the reduced viscosity of the water.
c. At what approximate time of the day will the maximum and minimum air temperature
occur?
- Maximum temperature is more likely to occur in the afternoon or noon, while
minimum temperature is in the early morning.
d. Show the relationship between normal lapse rate and adiabatic lapse rate to indicate
good weather and bad weather.
- Radiation, convection, and condensation all have an impact on the normal, or
ambient, lapse rate, also known as the lapse rate of non-rising air. This rate is highly
variable.It averages around 6.5 °C per kilometer (18.8 °F per mile) in the lower
atmosphere (troposphere).It contrasts from the adiabatic slip by rate, which
represents temperature varieties welcomed on by an air bundle rising or falling.
Dry or moist adiabatic lapse rates are typically distinguished.
The difference between the normal atmospheric lapse rate and the dry and moist
adiabatic lapse rates determines the atmosphere's vertical stability, or the tendency of
an air particle to return to or accelerate away from its original position after a slight
vertical displacement.Because of this, the lapse rate is very important for predicting
specific cloud types, the likelihood of thunderstorms, and the amount of atmospheric
turbulence.
e. For a standard static air, the main temperature, pressure, and density of dry air at
mean sea level are 15 °C, 1013 mb, and 1.23 kg m-3, respectively. Determine the
pressure, temperature, and density of the air at 2 km and at 10 km above the ground
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 surface. The vertical temperature lapse rate for a static dry air is 6.5 °C/km.

f. A static air has a ground atmospheric pressure of 1000 mb (100 kPa; 1000 hPa) and
surface temperature of 32 °C. Consider the lapse rate of the air to be - 6.5 °C/km.
Approximate the pressure, temperature, and density of the air at 2 km above the

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 ground surface. Assume air to be dry.

g. A column of air moving upward from the ground with a temperature of 32 °C cools
adiabatically at a rate of 10 °C/km. If the surrounding air has a ground temperature of
28 °C and has a vertical lapse rate of 6 °C/km, is the weather condition within this air

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 column good or bad? Why? If the weather is good, at what elevation will the air cease
to move upward (or elevation where rising and surrounding temperatures are equal)?

V. CONCLUSION
In this laboratory report, I`ve learned that temperature is really is important. In all aspects,
temperature plays a crucial role, to humans, plants, our environment, and even those processes
that we still cant apprehend as seen in our bare eyes. The data gathering in the Agromet station
here in VSU is really important and is fundamental to our chosen field of study. I hope that
agromet station would expend its networks, more particularly in serving with the locality, so that it
may also help the locals to improve and develop their farms and livelihood with the help of the
underlying principles of the devices that is available in the station.

VI. REFERENCES
PAGASA. (n.d.). https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate-philippines

Nugent, A. and DeCou, D. (n.d.) Atmospheric Process and Phenomena, Chapter

5: Atmospheric Stability. http://pressbooksdev.oer.hawaii.edu/atmo/chapter/chapter-5-

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 atmospheric-stability/
Means, T ( 2019). How Temperature Fluctuates Throughout The Day. ThoughtCo. Retrieve May
20, 2019 from https://www.thoughtco.com/high-and-low-temperature-timing-3444247

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