| It is clear that weather forecasting is only | | | | overnight, you don't have to stay up all night |
| predictable up to a certain point. This is due to the | | | | checking! |
| huge number of differing influences that can | | | | 3.Anemometer. (wind gauge) |
| affect a predictable climate. Topgraphy, sea | | | | An Anemometer, or Wind Gauge, is a device |
| temperature, wind speed, city heat islands...these | | | | used to measure the speed of the wind. |
| are just some of the variables that mean | | | | The simplest type of wind gauge is the |
| weather forecasting is unlikely to ever be an | | | | cup-anemometer, consisting of four hemispherical |
| exact science. | | | | cups mounted horizontally to each other on a |
| However general patterns exist and simply by | | | | vertical shaft. Generally Anemometers can be |
| measuring the weather and noticing its trends, | | | | broadly split into 2 groups, Hand Held and Wireless. |
| you can get a pretty good idea yourself of what | | | | The benefit of a hand held anemometer is that |
| sort of weather is on its way. | | | | you can take it wherever you are, at the top of |
| So how do we measure the weather? Well | | | | a mountain or on a cliff face overlooking the |
| technology has advanced so much that we can all | | | | ocean, and record the wind speed at that exact |
| measure the weather wirelessly from the | | | | moment. A wireless anemometer however allows |
| comfort of our own home. The main devices you | | | | you to take the wind speed at a fixed point and |
| will need to measure your weather are a | | | | is often incorporated within wireless weather |
| Barometer (to measure air pressure), a | | | | stations. It is important with a fixed wind gauge to |
| thermometer (for outdoor temperature), an | | | | ensure that it is as high as possible above the |
| anemometer (or wind gauge, to measure wind | | | | ground to reduce interfering eddy currents from |
| speed) and a weathervane (for wind direction). | | | | nearby buildings. On the top of your roof is |
| There are other items you could add to this list | | | | generally a good position or if you have a large |
| such as a a pluviometer (rain gauge) and | | | | open garden then place it at the end furthest |
| hygrometer (measuring moisture content in the | | | | away from buildings, trees and walls. |
| atmosphere). And of course more advanced | | | | 4. Weathervane. |
| wireless weather stations will contain each of the | | | | Weathervanes (also know as wind vanes) have |
| above mentioned capabilities. | | | | been used throughout history as a means to |
| 1. Barometers. | | | | gauge wind direction. They are a device attached |
| Barometric Pressure is the pressure of the | | | | to any elevated object to indicate the wind |
| atmosphere over the surface of the Earth. | | | | direction. Often a weathervane will be |
| Barometric Pressure, also known as Air Pressure, | | | | incorporated in your fixed anemometer. |
| is easily measured using a Barometer. These | | | | Of course wind direction is less accurately |
| devices measure air pressure most commonly | | | | measured simply by being outside and gauging |
| with mercury or water. | | | | which direction the breeze is coming from, or |
| Barometers come in all shapes and sizes and are | | | | which direction the clouds are moving. |
| frequently sought for their ornamental or | | | | Now that you have all these variables you are |
| decorative value as much as a tool for weather | | | | already your own weather forecaster. You can |
| forecasting. But these days a wireless outdoor | | | | watch trends in the barometric pressure to see if |
| barometer is cheap and accurate, and essential | | | | the pressure is rising or falling, the variations in |
| for you to measure the pressure trends in the | | | | temperature and wind speed and direction. What |
| weather. | | | | else can a weatherman tell you? |
| 2. Thermometers. | | | | With a little dedication maybe you will start your |
| Wireless thermometers are now becoming | | | | own weather diary or weather blog and publish |
| increasingly popular as they enable the user to | | | | your own particular weather conditions and trends |
| monitor outdoor temperatures from the comfort | | | | for the world to see. Or pit your wits against the |
| of their own home. Also they measure the | | | | professionals and see if you can begin to forecast |
| maximum and minimum temperatures. So if you | | | | better than they! |
| are expecting a record low temperature | | | | Whatever the weather, enjoy it! |