A weather station is a particular facility, site that has been set on either land or sea with unique instruments and types of equipment that measures weather patterns and records them for analysis. There are types of weather stations; they include a home station that is used in homes and offices, personal weather stations and professional stations that are more advanced and sophisticated in their functions and pieces of equipment. Among the instruments found in the station include a thermometer, a barometer, anemometer, a pyrometer and a rain gauge.
1.A thermometer
This is a unique device that is found in a weather station which is used to measure and indicate the temperature of an area.
Parts of a thermometer
Two main essential elements make up a thermometer. These are one the temperature sensor and the scale. The temperature sensor is also known as the bulb which is the mercury that is seen in the thermometer. The bulb part of this instrument has a unique sensor which records a change in case the environment changes. The function of the scale part of the thermometer is to offer numerical value of the recorded temperature change.
Types of thermometers used in weather stations:
- A) Mercury thermometer
- B) Resistance thermometers
- C) Bimetallic strip thermometers
- D) Constant volume thermometer
2The Barometer
This instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure in a weather station. This device will measure the air pressure and help in the analysis of the pressure systems.
Types of barometers.
A)Mercury barometers
B)Aneroid barometers
The mercury barometer balances a column of the mercury part, and the height is measured accurately .at some point the gauge accuracy should be checked and increased. This is done fro ambient and the gravity value
the aneroid barometer is a portable instrument making it convenient to carry and move around with. This is because of its size. There is a flexible capsule in the wall of the barometer that usually deflects with the change of the atmospheric pressure. When this happens, there is a needle that indicates the change while the mercury is used to calibrate and check the barometer.
3.Anemometer
This is a weather station instrument that is used to measure and indicate the force, speed, and direction of the wind of an area.
Types of anemometers
A)Velocity anemometers which include the cup vane, hot wire, laser Doppler and ultraconic, Acoustic resonance anemometers
B)Pressure anemometers which include Plate, Tube, Pitot tube static anemometers
- The pyrometer
The type of instrument is a type of a special thermometer that is used in determining and measuring the temperature of the earth surface.
Types of pyrometers
A)Optical pyrometer:
B)Thermo-electric pyrometer
Benefits of wheather stations
Safety: when one has this facility, the upcoming weather can be predicted and be known in advance.In storms or floods are being expected one can arrange for personal and livestock safety beforehand. This action will save lives and reduce damages that will have been caused.
Home improvement plans: with the knowledge of coming dry seasons or summers, one can plan on activities like gardening, painting, repairs to their homes in advance before the in favorable weather is back.
Outdoor activities and events: with the ability of the station to almost correctly predict the certain weather patterns, one can plan for events and activities according to the weather, garden weddings, barbecues are good examples of such activities.
Accurate weather predictions: when an area depends on the general weather forecasts, there might be misinterpretation and wrong predictions of the weather expected in a zone. When an area its station with sophisticated instruments, its assured of correct weather predictions that will help in the planning of activities.
Agriculture: if a farmer has a weather station, the accurate weather predictions that will be carried out in the station will help in planning for agricultural activities for that period and the future.This helps in reducing of damages and losses that might incur if poor planning has been done due to wrong predictions.
With the above-summarized weather station instruments and its the facilities benefits, it’s without the doubt that is a facility that one should be willing to invest in be it for personal or professional purposes. With knowledge of the most relevant instruments, one will be able to know what to purchase when setting up.