To know the weather conditions, forecasters need certain devices that help predict the weather. With this, they can alert citizens, if there will be rain or shine. Learn here everything about meteorological instruments, what are they?, what are they?, what are they for? And much more
What are weather instruments?
Before mentioning what are the meteorological measuring instruments, it is pertinent to know that there is a large amount of data or elements to measure in our atmosphere.
To know the parameters linked to the climate, we can do it through the senses, that is, the cold, heat or rain can be perceived. But in addition, they can be measured more precisely, with the use of instruments specially designed for such purposes.
Each of the meteorological instruments has its margins of errors or tolerances allowed and for each particular situation, there is a special device. For example, if you want to measure the amount of rain that falls, you cannot estimate it using a Thermometer.
The types of measuring instruments, which are most used for forecasting or observing the weather, are mentioned below.
Types of weather instruments
Currently there is a significant number of devices or instruments to measure the weather. As already mentioned above, each of these devices has a specific function.
- Barometer.
- Thermometer.
- Vane.
- Pluviometer.
- Psychrometer or hygrometer.
- Anemometer.
- Geothermometer, also known as underground thermometer.
- Heliograph.
- Thermograph.
- Pyranometer.
- Nephobasimeter.
- Snow gauge.
What are weather instruments used for?
To study and be able to predict the phenomena that are generated in the atmosphere, there are different devices. Each meteorological instrument was designed to know a particular atmospheric element.
The most important ones are mentioned below:
Thermometer
The thermometer is par excellence, the instrument to determine changes in temperature in the environment. It is the most used in the different meteorological observation stations of the world.
Depending on the complexity of the thermometer, register meteorological It will be more accurate and reliable.
Thermometers also have their classification and are used according to the needs of the observer, as well as the sophistication of the weather control point. The most used are:
- Digital thermometer:They can be found on portable devices or stations. They are quite modern, complex, versatile and easily adaptable equipment with other measurement equipment.
Thanks to integrated circuits, they are quite small in size and take up very little space inside weather stations. On the other hand, its digital screen facilitates the collection of the data obtained.
- Mercury thermometer: Before digital thermometers were designed, they were the ones used in analog-type weather observation bases. It consists of a glass tube, which contains mercury inside, the only liquid metal that exists.
Barometer
It is a device that is designed to make measurements of atmospheric pressure, this is the same as saying, the weight that the air makes above the earth. Knowing this data allows forecasters to be able to predict in advance when storms or hurricanes will occur.
Weather Instruments: Wind Vane
This measuring instrument allows to know the direction of the wind. The measuring rig is divided into two sections:
- A spearhead (arrow), which rotates in the direction the wind blows.
- Tail of the vane, this one at its end is quite wide, with which it manages to catch the wind.
- Ends where the initials of the four cardinal points meet.
This wind measurement instrument allows to know precisely the direction in which the wind travels.
Rain gauge
The rain gauge is the device used to record the amount of water that falls in an area of 1 m2. To estimate these values, there is a constant and for each millimeter that is reflected on its scale, it is a liter of rainwater.
These teams must be reviewed in a time not exceeding six hours, in times of rain, so that the data is truly reliable. In climate control stations, manual devices and totalizers are used.
- Manuals: They have a cylindrical container, which has a graduated scale in millimeters. Through this scale, the record is made of the amount of rainwater that has fallen during those six hours that the sample has been collected.
- Totalizers: They are higher precision measuring device. Its structure consists of a funnel and an electronic element, which constantly records the amount of water that passes through the funnel, in a time of twelve hours.
Hygrometer
This equipment is one of the meteorological instruments, which are used in the collection of data, corresponding to the percentage of water vapor present in the air. The device has a numbered scale, which allows reading the amount of water in the environment, in gaseous state.
Types of hygrometers
There are two types of hygrometers: analog and digital.
- Analog: they are quite precise, being able to detect variations in the humidity of the environment. It only requires permanent calibration, so that they continue to provide reliable readings.
- Digital: their precision is as good as the analog ones, the difference is in the display of the records, which are digital and a receipt can be printed from the same device.
Anemometer
It is by the assistance of these devices, that the speed of the wind can be known. The most widely used anemometer is the vane or rotation anemometer.
The operation of this device consists of the impact produced by the wind on the equipment. Immediately the mechanism begins to turn, activating a counter that records the number of turns given in a given time.
At the end of the established reading time, the speed of the wind gusts is obtained, from that particular place.
Heliograph
This type of meteorological instruments is used to record the time or number of hours that the earth has sunlight during the day. For a correct measurement, it must be calibrated to the different Seasons, that occurs at that time and the geographical coordinates of the station
Nivometer
The snow gauge is a device that is useful for making measurements of the amounts of snow that fall in a given place and time. There are two types of snow gauges, these are: laser and acoustic.
Laser snow meter: it is necessary to nail it to the measurement site, so that it can record the snow.
Acoustic snow meter: it has an ultrasound transmission and reception device, with which you can establish the amount of snow fallen in that place.
Computer and accessories of a weather station
It is not only about having the best devices to carry out the different meteorological measurements. It is also necessary to have technological support so that these teams can collect climate data with greater precision.
Having the necessary software and hardware is essential when working in observation environments with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, it is important that the station has solar cells, to guarantee a continuous power supply, especially in remote areas.
Investment needs to be protected, but equipment needs to be protected as well. For that, there are different accessories for each of them and thus be able to give it the proper use.
Among the most used accessories is the weather coat. This is like a kind of small metallic or resistant plastic structure, where the different equipment is installed and protected from the inclement action of the weather.
