The Weather

Observing and recording

Powerpoint Presentation © Pitsford Hall weather stationNorthamptonshire Grammar SchoolAbridged version without video clips

The Weather Station

A weather station makes continuous measurements of different aspects of the weather.

Weather stations use standard instruments so that their readings can be compared.

Temperature

Temperature is recorded using thermometers housed inside a Stevenson screen

Weather stations record both air temperature and the temperature of the ground

Temperature: The Stevenson Screen

Why is the screen painted white?

Why is it raised on legs above the ground?

Why has it got louvred sides?

Precipitation

Rainfall, snow, hail and fog.

Rainfall is measured in a raingauge.

Some raingauges record rainfall automatically whilst others are emptied everyday by an observer

Wind

The direction and strength of the wind are both measured

A wind vane measures direction

An anemometer records strength

Wind strength can also be measured using the Beaufort Scale

The Beaufort Scale

Pressure

Pressure is the weight of the atmosphere

When air rises pressure falls

When air sinks pressure increases

Pressure controls the type of weather

Barometers and barographs record pressure

Recording pressure

Sunshine

A note is made of the number of hours of bright sunshine each day

Sunshine is traditionally measured using a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder

Cloud

The amount of the sky obscured by cloud

Different types of clouds

Sometimes even the speed and direction in which the clouds are moving are recorded using a nephoscope

Cloud Types - Cumulonimbus

Cloud Types - Cumulus

Cloud Types - Stratus

Cloud Types - Cirrus