Meteorology GNU Free Documentation License

Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather
processes and forecasting.

Meteorological phenomena are observable weather events which illuminate and are
explained by the science of meteorology.
Those events are bound by the variables that exist in Earth's atmosphere.
They are temperature, pressure, water vapor, and the gradients and interactions of each
variable, and how they change in time.
The majority of Earth's observed weather is located in the troposphere.
Although meteorologists now rely heavily on computer models (numerical weather
prediction), it is still relatively common to use techniques and conceptual models that
were developed before computers were powerful enough to make predictions
accurately or efficiently.
Note: The above text is excerpted from the Wikipedia article "Meteorology", which has
been released under the GNU Free Documentation License.
For more information, see the following related content on ScienceDaily:
The meteorology is the science that studies the behavior of the phenomena that occur
in the atmosphere over time, so that they can foresee its evolution. And all scientific
study of the atmosphere means above all collecting accurate weather data. Our senses
and especially the sight and touch enable us to estimate a large number of observations.
For example, we can see the amount of clouds in the sky or determine wind direction by
the movement of leaves or a column of smoke. All these observations are called sensory
observations.
However, our senses are not enough and we have to resort to the meteorological
instruments to collect the valuable data. For example, while a person can determine if
the air pressure is rising or falling, you cannot know the exact value of it, for which you
need to consult an instrument. In this case, the observations are called instrumental
observations.
Some of the instruments can be incorporated in professional or home weather
stations and other are used as separate meteorological devices.
Barometer
Diagram of mercury barometer.

The barometer is a device that measures atmospheric pressure. Changes in atmospheric
pressure are most often caused by the rise of warm air and the descent of cold air
Barometric pressure changes with local weather. Rising pressure means fair weather
while falling pressure means poor weather.
Anemometer
The anemometers are devices designed to determine the speed of wind. They were
initially used primarily for measuring the speed and direction of wind. Today, except in
weather stations, they are widely used in determining the average speed in ventilation
systems built in the industrial and residential buildings.
Thermometer
Thermometer inside Stevenson Screen

The thermometer is a device for measuring the temperature. The thermometers are
using various physical properties such as thermal expansion of gases, liquids or solids to
determine the current temperature.
The two important part of thermometer are: the sensor in which some physical change
occurs with temperature, plus some means of converting this physical change into a
numerical value (e.g. the visible scale in glass thermometer).
Whole/all sky camera
Rain Gauge
A rain gauge is an instrument for measuring the precipitation that has fallen in a given
time interval. The rain gauge is part of every weather station. It is used in meteorology
as an additional tool of the weather forecast and the climatology for the purpose of
long-term statistics of precipitation.
The amounts of rain accumulated in the gauge are read either manually or by automatic
weather station (AWS).
Radiosonde
Radiosonde – a device to measure various atmospheric parameters and transmit them

to fixed receivers. Radiosondes can run on dedicated radio frequency 403 MHz or 1680
MHz; both types of transmitters may optionally adjust the frequency within a small
range around the specified value.
Rubber or latex balloons filled with helium or hydrogen is used to rise the Radiosonde
up into the atmosphere. Sometimes radiosondes are dropped from aircraft. They are
most often used in special research projects, such as the study of the storms.
In case you find a radiosonde check out NOAA’s instructions.
Weather balloon
A weather balloon is a balloon which in meteorology is used for transportation of

instruments and radiosondes into the atmosphere.
A typical weather balloon is usuallymade of rubber and has a weight of only about 200
grams. The skin of the weather balloon is very sensitive and delicate, so they must be
touched only when wearing protective gloves. Even minimal damage may result in
increasingly risk bursting at high altitude.
The balloon is filled usually with helium or hydrogen. The probe is attached to the
weather balloon at a enough distance so it won’t mess with the balloon slipstream.
The weather balloon can reach heights of 20-30 km before it bursts and the probe
returns with a parachute to the ground.
Windsock
Windsock commonly used in aviation industry.
Wind sock is a cone made of fabric designed to indicate the direction and approximate
speed of the wind. This is mainly used in the aviation industry, as well as chemical
plants, where there is a risk of gas leakage.
Meteorological wind direction corresponds to the opposite direction of the wind
direction indicator.
Wind profiler
Wind Profiler Radar

A wind profiler is a meteorological measurement system that uses radar or sound waves
(SODAR) to determine the wind speed and direction at various elevations above the
ground. The variables measured from wind direction and speed is useful to
meteorological forecasting and timely reporting for flight planning. You can search
trough wind profiler history data on NOAA’s website.
Disdrometer
Disdrometr is a device for analyzing the volume of distribution of micro particles in a

controlled environment. The main application is to determine the size, speed, and
number of raindrops. With disdrometer the meteorologist differ raindrops from graupel
and hail.
Snow gauge
A snow gauge is a measuring device used in the field of meteorology to measure the
water equivalent of an amount of snowfall. It can be equipped with a single vertical
metric scale for manual check, or use some electronic system – ultrasonic, infrared,
laser. This device is used in snow studies and it is similar in design to a rain gauge.
Ceilometers
Ceilometers – meteorological instruments for determining the height of the cloud

base. To operate is either used a laser or other source of coherent light. Ceilometers
also used to determine the concentration of aerosols in the atmosphere.
Laser ceilometer consists of a vertical laser and a light receiver, typically a lidar. The
laser pulse duration of a few nanoseconds is sent up to the atmosphere. While the
beam passes through the atmosphere some of its energy is scattered by the aerosol
particles with a size of about the wavelength of laser beam. Because of the effect,
called Mie scattering, some of the light is scattered back and captured by the
ceilometer receiver. The time delay of the received signal can be converted into the
distance by the using a formula.
Barograph
Dropsonde
A dropsonde is a type of radiosonde. This is a device dropped from a flying aircraft, with
or without parachute to collect environmental data in the atmosphere during its fall to
the ground. This probe is similar to a shell or a cylinder and contains all the necessary
instruments.
The tipical use is in hurricane research. The hurricane reconnaissance aircraft unleash
many dropsondes through the weather system.
The Lightning Detector Kit is a perfect
The Lightning Detector Kit is a perfect
solution for anyone who enjoys building electronic kits and tracking the weather as well.

Lightning detector is a device that detects lightning or light rays produced by storms.
There are three basic types of detectors: Earth system, which uses multiple antennas;
mobile system, that uses a sensitive antenna usually on board of an aircraft; and spatial
system.
The land and mobile detectors auto calculated direction and severity of the lighting from
the mounted location, using radio techniques. Terrestrial systems use triangulation from
multiple locations to determine the distance, while mobile systems are using the
distance estimate signal frequency and attenuation.
Pan evaporation
Pan evaporation instrument is used to measure the effective evaporation.

Several types are used; however, one of the most used is the “Class A”. This is a
cylindrical galvanized steel tank, 1.21 m in diameter and 25 cm deep. It is placed on a
wooden platform, perfectly horizontal.
The instrument works by measuring the volume of water required to maintain a
constant level in a given time, which can be 6, 12 or 24 hours. The volume of water
consumed becomes mm of water evaporated per unit of time.
Weather radar
A weather radar or weather radar, is a type of radar used in meteorology to locate
precipitation, calculate its trajectory and estimate their types (rain , snow , hail , etc.). In
addition, three-dimensional data can be analyzed to extract the structure of storms and
their potential path and damage. Finally, the echoes of rainfall and clear atmosphere of
the meteo radar can estimate the direction and speed of wind in the lower parts of the
atmosphere.
The widespread use of radar during the Second World War revealed the appearance of a
noise caused by signals reflected from the areas of precipitation. Investigation of this
phenomenon in the US and Canada led to the creation of specialized weather radar
intended for meteorological purposes.
The main functions of existing weather radars are:
 detection of hazardous weather, such as a thunderstorm , powerful cumulus
clouds, hail, heavy precipitation zone, zones of
 calculation, output and display of vertical and horizontal profiles of
meteorological formations
Automatic Weather Station (AWS)

An automatic weather station is a weather station, based on a fixed or mobile site,
whose sensors relate weather data to a data logger without human intervention. These
stations were developed for use in hard to reach places (weather buoy at sea or remote
areas).
Developed for national meteorological services, they are now also used for weather
research and amateur meteorologists.
An automatic station includes, some of the sensors listed above, connected to a central
processor. The data can be stored in a logger, or transmitted by cable or radio signal to
one or more remote locations.
The recorder and the processor are located in a waterproof housing. The station is
powered by a rechargeable battery, a solar panel or a wind turbine. The number of
sensors depends on the needs.
A good automatic station has at least: thermometer, anemometer, wind vane,
hygrometer, and barometer.
RELATED
The Levels of Tornadoes
Updated April 25, 2017

By Kat Black
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado is "a violently rotating column of
air attached to a thunderstorm and in contact with the ground." These destructive
phenomena are most common in "Tornado Alley" in the central United States. Because
of their dangerous wind speeds and associated thunderstorms as well as their
unpredictability, tornadoes are notoriously difficult to measure. Tools used to measure
tornadoes include barometers, Doppler radar and "turtles." Tornadoes are classified by
the amount of damage they produce.
Barometers
Barometers measure air pressure. When a strong thunderstorm moves into an area, air
pressure drops considerably. The most drastic drop in pressure occurs within the actual
tornado. The largest drop in pressure ever recorded was in April 2007 in Tulia, Texas,
when the air pressure within a tornado dropped 194 millibars.
Doppler Radar
Although tornadoes are too small to be picked up by Doppler radar, this useful
meteorological tool indicates the presence of strong thunderstorms that are likely to
produce tornadoes. Doppler radar provides an image of the shape of a thunderstorm
cell, the intensity of precipitation within that cell and wind velocity. Thunderstorm cells
shaped liked kidney beans tend to produce tornadoes more frequently than other types
of cells. Doppler radar indicates the presence of mesocyclones, or rotating wind fields
that are likely to produce tornadoes. When combined with reports of actual tornadoes,
Doppler radar provides valuable measurements that meteorologists can use to make
their future predictions more accurate.

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Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather

processes and forecasting.

Diagram of mercury barometer.

Thermometer inside Stevenson Screen

Radiosonde – a device to measure various atmospheric parameters and transmit them

A weather balloon is a balloon which in meteorology is used for transportation of

Wind Profiler Radar

Disdrometr is a device for analyzing the volume of distribution of micro particles in a

Ceilometers – meteorological instruments for determining the height of the cloud

Pan evaporation instrument is used to measure the effective evaporation.

Automatic Weather Station (AWS)

Updated April 25, 2017

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