About Weather Forecasting Equipment
The history of weather forecasting, or meteorology, can be traced back to 350 B.C. and the work of Aristotle. His book "Meteorology" contains the first description of the water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, in which water cycles through evaporation, rain, land, river and sea, then evaporates and starts the cycle again. Modern meteorology uses different types of equipment, providing data for forecasters to predict the weather.
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Anemometer
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An anemometer is a device common to many weather stations used for measuring wind speed. The device contains three or four cups each on the end of individual arms extending from a central column. Air flows past the cups, causing them to spin and turn the central column. The speed at which the central column rotates indicates wind speed.
Barometer
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A barometer is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure and forecast short-term changes in weather. Basic barometers can use water or mercury to illustrate atmospheric pressure, but most barometers for professional use are now electronic, consisting of two gold electrodes configured as capacitors, contained in a vacuum. As atmospheric pressure rises or falls, the vacuum capsule deforms and either increases or decreases in capacity. These changes are measured and converted into units of pressure by the device.
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Hygrometer
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A hygrometer measures the air humidity, one of the more complex aspects of weather forecasting. Some modern digital hygrometers display a combination of temperature and humidity because humidity is dependent on temperature and air pressure, among other factors. Most hygrometers calculate air humidity based on the temperature difference between two thermometers, one submerged in water and one kept dry.
Thermometer
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The thermometer is perhaps the most basic of all weather-forecasting equipment. Most broadcast weather forecasts include a thermometer reading, either current or predicted for the day ahead, recorded in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. Modern thermometers use infrared technology to detect the air temperature.
Satellites
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Professional weather forecasters have access to information from weather satellites to help predict the weather. Weather satellites remain in a geostationary orbit in space---meaning that they orbit at the same speed the earth rotates---keeping them in the same position relative to a particular area of the earth. Infrared and standard images of cloud below the satellites is sent to forecasters who use the images and readings to predict the weather.
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References
- Photo Credit weather image by vegadsl from Fotolia.com
