Weather Instruments

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Meteorologist Noun

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[mee-tee-er-ol-uh-jist]

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Meteorologist

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A scientist who specializes in studying atmospheric phenomena and forecasting the weather based on collected data and analysis.

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Example: A meteorologist is a scientist who studies the atmosphere to forecast the weather, often using maps and data to show temperature and storm patterns.

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Thermometer Noun

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[ther-mom-i-ter]

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Thermometer

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An instrument used for measuring temperature, typically containing a liquid that expands or contracts with temperature changes.

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Example: This diagram shows two thermometers, one in Celsius and one in Fahrenheit, to compare the scales using the freezing (0°C / 32°F) and boiling (100°C / 212°F) points of water.

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Anemometer Noun

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[an-uh-mom-i-ter]

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Anemometer

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A weather instrument specifically designed to measure the speed or velocity of the wind in the atmosphere.

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Example: This cutaway diagram shows how an anemometer works: wind pushes the revolving cups, causing them to spin a central shaft connected to a generator.

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Wind Vane Noun

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[wind veyn]

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Wind Vane

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A device, often shaped like an arrow, that pivots to show the direction from which the wind is blowing.

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Example: This instrument, a wind vane, has a pointer that freely rotates on a pivot to align with the wind, indicating the direction it is coming from.

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Windsock Noun

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[wind-sok]

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Windsock

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A conical textile tube designed to indicate both the direction and the relative speed of the wind.

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Example: This diagram shows how a windsock indicates wind speed and direction. It droops in low winds and flies straight in high winds, pointing away from the wind's origin.

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Prevailing Westerlies Noun

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[pri-vey-ling wes-ter-leez]

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Prevailing Westerlies

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The dominant winds blowing from the west in the middle latitudes, responsible for moving weather systems eastward.

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Example: This map shows the Prevailing Westerlies, global winds that blow from west to east in the Earth's middle latitudes, influencing weather patterns.

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Rain Gauge Noun

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[reyn geyj]

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Rain Gauge

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An instrument used by meteorologists to gather and measure the amount of liquid precipitation over a specific area.

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Example: This diagram shows how a rain gauge works by using a funnel to collect rainwater into a container with a measurement scale, allowing you to measure the amount of precipitation.

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Snow Gauge Noun

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[snoh geyj]

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Snow Gauge

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A specialized instrument designed to measure the depth of accumulated snow at a particular location over time.

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Example: A snow gauge is a type of ruler stuck vertically in the ground to measure the depth of snow that has fallen.

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Humidity Noun

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[hyoo-mid-i-tee]

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Humidity

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A measure of the concentration of water vapor present in the air or the atmosphere at any given time.

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Example: When warm, humid air inside a building touches a cold window pane, the water vapor in the air turns into liquid water droplets, called condensation.

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Hygrometer Noun

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[hahy-grom-i-ter]

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Hygrometer

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An instrument used for measuring the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, also known as humidity.

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Example: This wet-and-dry-bulb hygrometer measures humidity by comparing temperatures. The wet bulb is cooled by evaporation, showing a lower temperature in less humid air.