
Four Weather Instruments in One Station
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How do meteorologists (weather scientists) track conditions throughout the day? Four simple instruments cover the basics.
A cloud mirror measures cloud cover. Divide a large mirror into 16 squares and lay it on the ground. Count the cloudy squares and divide by two to get oktas (eighths of sky covered).
A wet-and-dry-bulb hygrometer measures humidity (moisture in the air). A barometer tracks air pressure in millibars. A max/min thermometer records the highest and lowest temperatures each day.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the weather can be accurately measured using the tools and techniques described in this project.
Method & Materials
You will measure cloud cover using a cloud mirror, humidity using a hygrometer, pressure using a barometer, and temperature using a max/min thermometer.
You will need a cloud mirror, hygrometer, barometer, and max/min thermometer.
Results
After completing this project, you will have a better understanding of how meteorologists measure the weather. You will also have a better understanding of the importance of humidity, pressure, and temperature in predicting the weather.
Why do this project?
This science project is unique because it teaches you how to measure the weather around you with simple tools and techniques.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include measuring the weather in different locations or at different times of the day.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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