Rough Draft: Geography Project

GEOGRAPHY PROJECT:
ROUGH DRAFT
TOPIC: METEOROLGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND

THEIR USES REFER (PG 168).
WHAT ARE METEROLGICAL INSTRUMENTS??

Meteorological instruments (or weather instruments), including meteorological
sensors (weather sensors), are the equipment used to find the state of the atmosphere at a
given time. Each science has its own unique sets of laboratory equipment. Meteorology,
however, is a science which does not use much laboratory equipment but relies more on on-site
observation and remote sensing equipment. In science, an observation, or observable, is an
abstract idea that can be measured and for which data can be taken. Rain was one of the first
quantities to be measured historically. Two other accurately measured weather - related
variables are wind and humidity. Many attempts had been made prior to the 15th century to
construct adequate equipment to measure atmospheric variables.
WHY DO WE USE THESE INSTRUMENTS?

There are many reasons why it is important to measure the weather using their respective
instruments. The information collected and analysed helps people make important decisions about
their day and their future activities. Weather conditions can determine minor things like, "What
clothes should I wear today?" to major things like, "Is it safe to fly an aeroplane today?".
Measuring the weather has become a lot more sophisticated and meteorologists are now able to
warn people about bad weather that is approaching and that could have dangerous consequences.
Measuring and predicting the weather has the capacity to help people, businesses, farmers,
transport systems and provide warning systems. It is also important in determining an area's climate,
which involves measuring the weather over a long period of time.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF METEOROLOGICAL/WEATHER

INSTRUMENTS!
We use different kinds of instruments to measure different conditions, The instruments used
are the following:
 Meteorological/weather sensors
 Rain Gauge
 Thermometer
 Anemometer
 Hygrometer
METEOROLOGICAL/WEATHER SENSORS
Meteorological sensors are used to understand and measure climate and weather. These
sensors are typically deployed on a buoy or on shore nearby to record average lake
conditions. Meteorology regulates many key characteristics of lakes and other water bodies,
such as temperature, wave height, and dissolved oxygen. These sensors are usually physical
sensors, and work on a variety of different principles and methods, often measuring internal
voltage changes in response to changing meteorological parameters.
WHAT DO THEY MEASURE??
 Wind speed and direction

Wind regulates a number of lake characteristics. For example, high wind lakes are
usually colder and mix deeper than similar low wind lakes. Wind also regulates
evaporation and gas movement (for example, oxygen and carbon dioxide) between
water and the air. Wind speed and direction are often measured together on an
anemometer.
 Relative humidity
Relative humidity measures the amount of moisture in the air. Just like sweat builds
up on your skin on humid days, high relative humidity also reduces evaporation
rates from lakes. In areas where water balance is critical, like reservoirs in hot and
dry regions, relative humidity can be a very important measurement. Relative
humidity sensors typically work by using materials that change their resistance or
capacitance, depending on the relative concentration of moisture in the air. These
sensors are typically inexpensive and reliable, but must be calibrated every few years
to ensure accuracy.
 Precipitation
In many regions, lakes and reservoirs are water supplies. In these water bodies,
precipitation sensors can be used to gauge changes in water availability. Precipitation also
affects water temperature, mixing, and gas movement between water and the atmosphere.
Because precipitation occurs in many forms, it can be measured in several different ways.
Precipitation measurements are often made by measuring water volume, often in a tipping
bucket sensor. Rain is measured directly by volume and heated funnels and collection cups
melt sleet, hail, and snow to measure their water equivalent. The bucket will automatically
tip to pour out its contents regularly to avoid overfilling and reset itself. Precipitation
sensors that measure water equivalent are usually very accurate and relatively inexpensive.
 Barometric pressure
Atmospheric pressure regulates the solubility of gasses in water and can be
used to forecast changes in weather conditions. There are many different
technologies available and many companies that manufacture sensors to
measure barometric pressure. Often these sensors are included as part of a
sensor package.
 Solar radiation
The intensity of solar radiation is frequently measured at lakes for management and
research. Light drives most aspects of lake ecosystems from the temperature to the
amount of photosynthesis. However, not all light is the same or has the same
intensity. Just like there are different colors of light, there are different types of light
outside of the visible range the human eye can see. These include ultraviolet, visible,
infrared, shortwave and longwave radiation and ranges can overlap. The most
common type of light measurement on lakes is often visible or shortwave radiation.
RAIN GAUGE:

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GEOGRAPHY PROJECT:

TOPIC: METEOROLGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND

WHAT ARE METEROLGICAL INSTRUMENTS??

WHY DO WE USE THESE INSTRUMENTS?

DIFFERENT KINDS OF METEOROLOGICAL/WEATHER

WHAT DO THEY MEASURE??

 Wind speed and direction

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