Measuring Weather

What is Measuring Weather?

Within Geography, which covers maps, landforms, weather, climate, population and settlements: understand how our planet and people connect, this topic explains Measuring Weather. Geography explains how places, people and natural processes connect, so each topic here combines a clear definition with a visual model.

Check that you can explain Measuring Weather in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.

Understanding Measuring Weather helps you explain patterns on maps and in the news, and make reasoned decisions about places and environments.

Measuring Weather in detail

Weather is measured with instruments. A thermometer measures temperature, a rain gauge measures rainfall, a barometer measures air pressure, an anemometer measures wind speed, a wind vane shows wind direction and a hygrometer measures humidity. Sunshine recorders measure hours of sunshine.

A Stevenson screen houses instruments in the shade, white and ventilated, so that readings are accurate. Cloud cover is estimated in oktas (eighths of the sky). Automatic weather stations, weather balloons, radar and satellites provide data worldwide. Accurate records help forecasts and detect climate trends.

How the interactive helps you understand Measuring Weather

Click a step, or use the Previous and Next buttons, to move through the sequence one stage at a time. Auto-play moves on for you.

Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Measuring Weather.

Real-life uses and examples

• Support an answer about Measuring Weather with a named case study and specific evidence.
• Interpret a graph or map that shows Measuring Weather and say what it suggests.
• Describe a real place where Measuring Weather can be seen, using a map or photograph.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing general statements without a named place or example.
• Mixing up cause, effect and consequence when you explain Measuring Weather.
• Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.