The forecaster’s tool box
A forecaster’s tool box has many instruments. A thermometer measures temperature. An anemometer measures wind speed, using small cups that spin faster in a stronger wind. A barometer measures air pressure, how hard the air pushes; falling pressure often means worse weather is coming. A rain gauge collects rain in a straight-sided container so that we can measure the depth of rain in millimetres. Radar sends out radio waves and uses what bounces back to find rain and storms. A satellite takes pictures of clouds and Earth from space. Do not mix up wind speed and air pressure: they are measured with different tools. Together these tools give the data that forecasters need.
| Tool | What it measures or does |
|---|---|
| thermometer | temperature |
| anemometer | wind speed |
| barometer | air pressure |
| rain gauge | how much rain fell |
| radar | finds rain and storms |
| satellite | pictures from space |
| Day | Rain collected |
|---|---|
| Sunday night | 12 mm |
Rain gauge. With a grown-up, put a clear straight-sided jar in an open place away from trees. Tape a ruler beside it. After rain, read the depth in millimetres and write it in a table. Match each of the six tools to its job on cards and test a family member.