Information On Weather Stations And The Instruments They Use

By Michael C Logan
Any facility that observes atmospheric conditions using instruments and other equipment to provide information to make weather forecasts and information that can be used to study climate and weather as well is called a weather station. The inputs that make up a weather forecast bulletin are usually temperature, dew point, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. These stations can be built on a large scale to service commercial, governmental, and research purposes and can also be on a smaller scale for individual use. The accuracy of almost all instruments in usually quite standard though the larger and more expensive ones are far more acutely tuned.

The information that is gathered from these facilities on a large scale is used in weather monitoring and climatic research and in commercial aviation fields. In the case of smaller establishments the individual or group of individuals can use this information for personal research and environment watch. It has also been used in storm chasing and personal safety from disastrous weather phenomenon in prone areas. Another use of the home weather station is also in private or general aviation - though this information can be obtained from MET departments easily sometimes people prefer to get their own information. This is generally the case seen in sky parks and smaller uncontrolled airports where there may be stations set up.

The equipment more frequently used in weather stations is:
• Anemometer - this instrument is used to measure wind speeds (usually in knots)
• Thermometer - which is used in the measurement of ambient temperature (in Celsius or Fahrenheit)
• Barometer - which is used to measure air pressure
• Wind Vane or Sock - used to measure wind direction
• Hygrometer - for the measurement of humidity
• Rain Gauge - to measure precipitation or amount of rainfall

The more sophisticated the station the more sophisticated instruments are used. Apart from those mentioned above there are instruments that can measure visibility and cloud ceiling as well with the means of a Transmissiometer and a Cloud Projector respectively.

But it is important to know where each instrument needs to be installed to get the most accurate data. The wind vane and rain gauge require direct exposure otherwise their readings will be way off mark. The wind vane needs to be kept in an area without too many obstacles and the rain gauge cannot be placed in the shade of a tree. The rest require their own installation conditions like - the barometer needs to be placed out of the range of direct wind, the thermometer needs to be kept out of direct insolation as does the hygrometer. Thus when setting up a weather station be careful to install the instruments in the right place to get the best readings.