What Are the Appropriate Tools to Use for Forecasting?

Weather Stations

• Weather stations are facilities that use instruments and equipment to allow meteorologists to make an observation about atmospheric conditions. This allows meteorologists to make forecasts, as well as study both weather and climate. Meteorologists use tools in a weather station to measure temperature, air pressure, humidity levels, wind speed, the direction of wind and the amount of precipitation. Meteorologists take observations throughout the day and automated observations are taken once per hour.

Computers

• Meteorologists implement computers to allow them to solve different equations at a rapid speed. These allow the weather service to create large-scale forecasts by producing weather conditions on the computer. These simulations allow meteorologists to see conditions that might occur in the atmosphere and thereby use the results to predict weather conditions.

Doppler Radar

• Doppler radar is a weather forecasting instrument that provides weather information by measuring the sound waves reflected. The sound waves might collide with dust particles and ice crystals in a cloud. Depending on the distance from the radar, a meteorologist can gather weather readings, such as the speed of wind and changes in direction of a storm.

Anenometers, Manometers and Barometers

• Anenometers measure wind speed as it takes a recording of the number of times it is rotated in the wind. Barometers and manometers measure the pressure of the atmosphere or the air pressure. Rising pressure means that there is good weather on the way, while falling pressure generally means that there is rain in the forecast. An alternate tool used by meteorologists and weather forecasters is the weather balloon; these carry an instrument known as the "radio-sonde." The weather balloon takes measurements of air pressure, humidity and altitude to determine the wind speed and its direction.

Weather Satellites

• Weather satellites allow meteorologists to examine cloud formations and predict adverse weather conditions, such as floods and hurricanes. Meteorologists examine the satellite images in three different modes: infrared, visible and water vapor. Satellite images show the warmth of objects, cloud layering and the level at which clouds are located.