Thermometer

• Used to measure temperature.

• Temperature is measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius.

• Low Temperature = Cold Weather

• High Temperature = Hot weather

Rain Gauge

• A tool that is used to measure the amount of rain that has fallen.

• It looks like a transparent cylinder with markings.

Wind Vane

• A tool that tells the direction of the wind.

• Sometimes called a "weather vane."

• Wind direction is measured in N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, or NW.

• A "wind sock" can be used to measure wind direction also, but it does not have the directions marked on it.

Anemometer

• A weather tool that measures wind speed.

• As wind speed increases, the cups will spin faster and the speed of the wind will be read digitally.

• Wind speed is measured in "miles per hour" (mph).

Barometer

• A tool for measuring atmospheric pressure.

• Atmospheric pressure, or air pressure, is the weight of the air.

• Higher pressure = clear, dry, and sunny skies (This has NOTHING to do with temperature!)

• Lower pressure = cloudy skies with a chance of precipitation

High Pressure System

• Air molecules are squeezed closely together

• Temperature is cool and dry

• Areas with high pressure have clear, sunny skies

Low Pressure System

• Air molecules are spaced out

• Temperature is warm and moist

• Areas with low pressure will be warm and rainy

Cirrus Clouds

Wispy, feathery clouds

High Altitudes

Indicate fair weather

Cumulus Clouds

Look like cotton

short cumulus clouds-fair weather

towering clouds with flat tops- often produce thunderstorms

Stratus Clouds

clouds that form in flat layers

*usually cover all or most of the sky

*dull, gray color

*If they thicken they may produce drizzle, rain or snow

Cumulonimbus

Dense towering, vertical clouds with flat tops

Often produce thunderstorms