Meteorological
Instruments
What are Meteorological
Instruments?
Meteorology is the study of weather conditions
around us and Meteorological instruments are the
equipment which Meteorologists use to study and
measure different parameters determining the
weather in any area, at any given time. There are
various different kinds and types of meteorological
instruments, each responsible for measuring a
different parameter, some of which are:
• Thermometer
• Barometer
• Rain Gauge
Weather Instruments Pictures
Thermometer Barometer Rain Gauge
Meteorological
Instruments and Their
Uses
There are several different types of meteorological instruments, each
measuring a different parameter. In this section, we will state some of
them and also discuss the uses of meteorological instruments:
• Thermometer
A thermometer, as the name suggests, is used to measure temperature of the
air as well as the sea surface.
• Barometer
A barometer is an instrument used to measure the atmospheric pressure.
• Hygrometer
A hygrometer is an instrument that is used to measure the humidity in any
area, at
any given time.
Anemometer
• It is a meteorological instrument that is used to measure the wind
speed in an area.
Pyranometer
• A Pyranometer is used to measure the solar radiation that an area
receives during day time.
Rain Gauge
• It is used to measure rainfall.
Wind Sock
• It is another instrument which is used to measure not only the general
wind speed but also the general wind direction.
Wind Vane
• A wind vane also known as the weather vane or a weathercock is an
instrument which is used to determine and show the direction in which the
wind is moving.
Instruments Used to Measure Rainfall
The instrument which is used to measure rainfall is the
Rain Gauge. We also have a snow gauge which along
with the rain gauge is used to measure the precipitation.
In this section, we will discuss the most common instrument
used to measure rainfall, which is the rain gauge.
A rain gauge is used to gather and measure the amount of liquid
precipitation that is the rain in a predefined area and over a set period of
time. The main purpose of the instrument is to determine the depth of
precipitation, thereby measuring the amount of rainfall in that area.
The setup includes a collection container attached to a measuring scale
and is set in an open area. The precipitation is measured in terms of the
height of the precipitation water collected in that container per given time
and is usually expressed in millimetres.
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