Instruments & Types of Precipitation Notes

Weather Tools

•Thermometer

• Measures the average

amount of thermal energy in
particles

• Used to measure

temperature

• Measured in O Celsius

(science)

Weather Tools

•Barometer

• Measure the changes in the

atmospheric pressure to help
predict changes in weather

• High pressure = good weather
• Low pressure= precipitation
• Measure in millibars

Weather Tools

•Anemometer

•Measures the
speed of wind

•Measured in miles

per hour

Weather Tools

•Hygrometer

• Measure relative humidity,

which is the percent of
water vapor in the air

• Measured in percent, as it

nears 100% the chance of
rain goes up.

Types of Precipitation

•Rain

·Drops of water at least 0.5mm in diameter

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​Types of Precipitation

•Snow

Water vapor changed
into ice crystals in clouds

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​Types of Precipitation

Sleet

·Rain falls through a
layer of cold air and
freezes before it hits the ground
Smaller than 5mm

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​Types of Precipitation

•Hail

·Round ice pellets larger than 5mm

·Only form in thunderstorms

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​Types of Precipitation

Freezing Rain

Rain that falls as liquid
but freezes once it hits a
cold surface

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​Types of Precipitation