Meteorological Instruments: Hamza Mohammad - 2014-Civ-206 - 28-Sep-2016

Meteorological
Instruments
Hamza Mohammad | 2014-civ-206 | 28-sep-2016
(Thermometer)
(Parameter)
(Rain gauge)
( psychometry)
Introduction
Temperature, humidity, rainfall, pressure and wind are the five fundamental weather
elements
that affect the daily life of everybody. The essence of weather forecasting, in short,
is to predict
the change of these elements. The accurate prediction of these elements in turn lar
gely relies
on how well we can measure their present values. Accurate prediction and measure
ments of
these five elements have been the main challenge to weather forecasters in the pas
t centuries and will likely remain so in the future.
1.Measurement of Air Temper

ature
Definition of temperature
Temperature is the condition which determines the direction of the net flow of heat
between two bodis. The body
which overall loses heat to the other is said to be at the higher temperature.
A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature by utilizing the variatio
n of the physical properties of substances according to their thermal states.
Meteorological requirements
Temperature measurements are required, for weather analysis and prediction, hydro
logical and agricultural application, and for climate studies.
For general meteorological work, the observed temperature should be representativ
e of the free air conditions
surrounding the station over as large an area as possible, at a height of between 1.2
5 and 2 m above ground level. In
order to ensure that a thermometer is at true air temperature, it is necessary to prot
ect it from solar radiation by a
screen or shed which also serves to support the thermometer. This screen also shel
ters it from precipitation while

allowing the free circulation of air around it, and prevents accidental damage
Units of measurement
Kelvin (K)
degree Fahrenheit (F)
degree Celsius (C)
Equations for the conversion of temperature readings among K, oC and oF are:

c = k 273.16
c = (f 32) x 5/9
k is temperature reading in K
f = c x 9/5 + 32
where
c is temperature reading in C f is temperature reading in o
2.Measurement of Humidity
Definition of relative humidity
Relative humidity is defined as the ratio, in per cent, of the observed vapour pressur
e to the saturation vapour
pressure with respect to water at the same temperature and pressure.
A hygrometer is an instrument for measuring the humidity of the atmosphere. A ps
ychrometer is a type of hygrometer that is most widely used.
Humidity measurements are required for weather analysis and prediction, hydrologi
cal and agricultural
application, and for climate studies. They are particularly important for their relevan
ce to the changes of state of water in the atmosphere.
A hygrometer should be placed in a screen or shed to protect it from direct solar rad
iation, atmospheric contaminants, rain and wind.
Unit of measurement
per cent (%)
3.Measurement of precipitations
Definition of precipitation
Precipitation is defined as the liquid or solid products of the condensation of water v
apour falling from clouds or
deposited from air on the ground. t includes rain, hail, snow, dew, rime, hoar frost a
nd fog precipitation which
reaches the ground. t is epressed in terms of the vertical depth of water (or water e
quivalent in case of solid forms)
to which it would cover a horiontal proection of the earths surface. snowfall is also
expressed by the depth of fresh snow covering an even horizontal surface.
Precipitation gauges (often nown as raingauges) are the most common instruments
used to measure precipitation.
Precipitation measurements are particularly sensitive to eposure, wind and topograp
hy. Any method of measuring
precipitation should aim to obtain a sample which is representative of the true amou
nt falling over the area which the
measurement is intended to represent. A precipitation gauge should be installed on
level ground. ts distance from
every surrounding obect should be at least twice the height of the obect above the r
im of the gauge.
Unit of measurement
Millimeters (mm) for liquid precipitation (rainfall).
4.Measurement of atmospheric pr
essure
Definition of atmospheric pressur
e
The atmospheric pressure on a given surface is the force per unit area eerted by virt
ue of the weight of the atmosphere above. The
pressure is thus equal to the weight of the vertical column of air above the surface,
taen
horiontally, and etending to the outer limit of the atmosphere. Analysed pressure fie
lds are fundamental
requirements of the science of meteorology. t is imperative that these pressure fiel
ds be accurately determined as
they form the basis for all subsequent predictions of the state of the atmosphere.
A barometer is an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure. Mercury barome
ters, electronic barometers and
aneroid barometers are commonly used for meteorological purposes.
A barometer should be hung or placed in a room in which the temperature is consta
nt or changes only slowly
should be shielded from direct sunshine at all times and should not be placed near a
ny heating apparatus or where there is a draught.
in order to compare pressure levels measured made at weather stations at different
altitudes, they are usually corrected to the mean sea level pressure.
Units of measurement
hectopascal (hPa)
mill bar (mbar)
millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
conversion factors
1hpa =1 mbar
1mm Hg= 1.333 hpa
=0.750 mm Hg
=1.333 mbar
1 mbar=1 hpa
=0.750 mm Hg

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Meteorological

Hamza Mohammad | 2014-civ-206 | 28-sep-2016

1.Measurement of Air Temper

ters it from precipitation while

degree Celsius (C)

Equations for the conversion of temperature readings among K, oC and oF are:

c is temperature reading in C f is temperature reading in o

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