Geography Project

Draft
Suchitra. S
IX D

Topic:
Meteorological instruments
and their use
What is Meteorology?
Meteorology is a branch of the atmospheric sciences (which
include atmospheric chemistry and physics) with a major
focus on weather forecasting.

Meteorological instrumentation
 Meteorological instruments or also known as weather
instruments including meteorological sensors are the
equipment used to find the state of the atmosphere at a
given time.

 The instruments are designed to function under natural

conditions in any climatic zone.

 Consequently, they must operate reliably, give stable

readings over a wide temperature range and under
conditions of high humidity and high precipitation, and be
unaffected by high wind and dust.

 To make the results of the measurements taken at the

various weather stations comparable, the instruments are
of the same types and are setup in such a way that their
readings are independent of incidental local conditions.
Six's thermometer

 Six's maximum and minimum thermometer is a

registering thermometer that can record the maximum
and minimum temperatures reached over a period of time,
for example 24 hours. It is used to record the extremes of
temperature at a location, for instance
in meteorology and horticulture.

 It was invented by the British scientist James Six,

in 1780 the same basic design remains in use.

 Six's Maximum and Minimum thermometer consists of a

U-shaped glass tube with two separate temperature scales
set along each arm of the U. One of these is for recording
the maximum temperature encountered and the other for
the minimum temperature.

 The one at the top of the minimum reading scale contains

alcohol, the other contains a vacuum or low pressure
alcohol vapour.

 In the bend of the U is a section of mercury which is

pushed around the tube by the expansion and contraction
of the alcohol in the first bulb. The temperatures are
shown both in Centigrade and Fahrenheit.

 Six’s thermometer is also popularly used by gardeners

In green houses to plan care for plants better.
Mercury Barometer

 It is an instrument used for measuring the change in

atmospheric pressure.

 It uses a long glass tube, open at one end and closed at

the other. Air pressure is measured by observing the
height of the column of mercury in the tube.

 The barometer works by balancing the mercury in the

glass tube against the outside air pressure, just like a set
of scales.

 while a barometer is kept at the same level and

measures subtle pressure changes caused by weather
and elements of weather.

 The level of mercury in the tube provides a precise measure of

air pressure.

 The word barometer is derived from the Ancient

Greek word baros, meaning "weight", and metron,
meaning "measure".

 The average atmospheric pressure on the Earth's

surface varies between 940 and 1040 hPa (mbar).
Aneroid Barometer

 An aneroid barometer is an instrument for measuring

atmospheric pressure as a method that does not involve
liquid.

 The Name “aneroid” itself means ‘without water.

 Invented in 1844 by French scientist Lucien Vidi, the

aneroid barometer uses a small, flexible metal box called a
capsule, which is made from an alloy of beryllium and copper.
The evacuated capsule is prevented from collapsing by
a strong spring.

 Small changes in external air pressure cause the cell to

expand or contract. This expansion and contraction drives
mechanical levers such that the tiny movements of the capsule
are amplified and displayed on the face of the aneroid
barometer.

 This type of barometer is common in homes and in

recreational boats but also used in meteorology, mostly as
barograph and pressure instruments in radiosondes.

Wind Vane

 A wind vane is a device that measures the direction of the flow of

wind.

 A wind vane is mounted on a shaft or spire that is elevated

off the ground. The wind catches the rudder blade and
makes it rotate. The narrow end of the vane points into the
wind and tells you the direction the wind is coming from.

 It consists of a small globe at the top of the rod and a bigger

one at the bottom of the rod. A direction pointer that indicates
north, South, East, West is fixed to the rod between the two
globes.

 It should position the wind vane high enough to avoid wind

interference from objects, buildings, and trees. We can
station them at the top of the tower or poles that are on
the roof of a building. We must choose the highest point
for the device.

 A wind vane always points in the direction from which the wind
is coming.

 Meteorologist use it to predict weather patterns. They are

commonly adhered to boats as a navigational device. A
simple wind vane can be helpful during sailing and golfing.
Anemometer

 An anemometer is an instrument that measures wind

speed and wind pressure. Anemometers are important
tools for meteorologists, who study weather patterns.

 The most common type of anemometer has three or four

cups attached to horizontal arms. The arms are attached to
a vertical rod. As the wind blows, the cups rotate, making
the rod spin. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the
rod spins.

 The most common type of anemometer has three or four

cups attached to horizontal arms. The arms are attached to
a vertical rod. As the wind blows, the cups rotate, making
the rod spin. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the
rod spins.

 The anemometer counts the number of rotations, or turns,

which is used to calculate wind speed. Because wind
speeds are not consistent the wind speed is usually
averaged over a short period of time.

 Wind speed helps indicate a change in weather patterns,

such as an approaching storm, which is important
for pilots, engineers, and climatologists.
Rain gauge

 Rain gauges are conventionally used to measure rainfall or

snowfall in situ.

 The amount of precipitation falling on the ground and

retained over the soil without any water losses or runoff is
measured at regular time intervals e.g., daily; hourly;
every 15 min etc. using rain gauges.

 These devices must be installed in the open air on a

horizontal surface close to the ground to reduce wind
effects, but avoiding rain splash or submersion by floods,
and far from obstacles to prevent rainfall interception.

 There are many types of rain gauges which includes

manual / ordinary type and sensor based Automatic
weather stations. Most rain gauges use millimetres as the
unit of measurement, and sometimes the measurement
results are in inches or centimetres as the unit.

 The ordinary rain gauge consists of a funnel shaped metal

or hard plastic container, the funnel ends up in a
measuring tube in which rain water is collected and can be
measured.
Hygrometer

 Hygrometer, instrument used in meteorological science to

measure the humidity, or amount of water vapour in
the air.

 There are two main types of hygrometers -- a dry and wet bulb
psychrometer and a mechanical hygrometer.

 Wet and dry bulb psychrometers are the most simple and
common way of measuring humidity. This type of hygrometer
uses two basic mercury thermometers, one with a wet bulb
one with a dry bulb.

 Evaporation from the water on the wet bulb causes its

temperature reading to drop, causing it to show a lower
temperature than the dry bulb.

 Relative humidity is calculated by comparing the readings

using a calculation table that compares the ambient
temperature (the temperature given by the dry bulb) to the
difference in temperatures between the two thermometers.
 Conclusion

In conclusion, meteorological instruments serve as essential

tools for examining the dynamic nature of the atmosphere.
Unlike many other sciences reliant on laboratory setups,
meteorology predominantly relies on on-site measurements
and remote sensing devices to gather crucial data. Through
these instruments, meteorologists can effectively monitor and
analyse key atmospheric variables such as rainfall, humidity,
and wind speed. These variables are fundamental in
understanding weather patterns, forecasting events, and
assessing potential impacts on various aspects of life and the
environment. meteorological instruments play a pivotal role in
enhancing our understanding of weather phenomena and in the
development of accurate weather forecasts. From traditional
rain gauges to advanced weather radars and satellite imaging
systems, these tools provide invaluable insights into the
complexities of the Earth's atmosphere. Ultimately, these
instruments empower meteorologists to better predict and
mitigate the impacts of weather-related events, thereby
contributing to the safety and well-being of societies worldwide.
Bibliography

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. ncpedia.org
3. davisinstruments.com
4. education.nationalgeographic.org
5. sciencedirect.com