Weather Instruments and Vocabulary Terms 4th

Barometer

An instrument used to measure air pressure (atmospheric pressure). A change in air pressure often means the weather is about to change.

Thermometer

An instrument used to measure temperature.

Hygrometer

An instrument used to measure the amount of humidity or water vapor in the air. An increase in humidity often means it's about to rain.

Rain Gauge

An instrument used to measure the amount of precipitation in a certain amount of time.

Anemometer

An instrument used to measure wind speed. A change in wind speed may mean the weather is about to change.

barometer

Before a thunderstorm, the air pressure drops. Which instrument could help you decide if you need to carry an umbrella?

rain gauge

Bermuda grass needs 2-3 inches of rain per week to be healthy. What instrument is used to measure this?

Weather

Condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

Sam has a weather instrument on top of his house. This afternoon, he noticed that the wind, which had been blowing from the west, changed direction and started blowing from the north. Sam went inside and looked at his barometer. He noticed that the air pressure was rising. Predict what Sam's weather will be next. What weather instrument is on top of Sam's house?

Forecast: Colder air from the north will blow into Sam's area. This will cause temperatures to fall. Smaller chance of rain. Instrument: Wind (weather) vane

The weather is very cold, and the air is filled with water vapor.

Forecast: These are good conditions for snow.

thermometer

Hot cars in the summer are no place for animals or people to stay in for too long. What instrument is used to determine if a car is too hot?

Temperature

How hot or cold it is around the thermometer at a given time.

weather vane

If winter winds are blowing from the north, the weather is likely to get colder. Which instrument could help you decide what to wear to school?

Wind Vane

Instrument used to measure wind direction. Knowing which direction the wind is blowing from helps forecast the weather.

anemometer

Kathleen needs to know if today is a good day to fly a kite. What instrument might help her decide?

Weather Front

The border where two air masses meet. Most weather changes occur along weather fronts. The air does not mix much but forms a boundary.

Climate

The pattern of weather an area experiences over a LONG period of time.

Hygrometer

Tropical plants grow best in an area with lots of humidity. What instrument would help determine this?

Air Mass

A large body of air that has similar temperature and humidity throughout.

Meteorologist

A scientist who studies the weather using many different instruments. The measurements taken with these weather instruments can be used to forecast the weather.