Monday, May 10, 2010

What is the average cost of weather instruments?

A thermometer usually cast around $10 depending on how high tech you want it. A simple rain gauge is sually just a couple of bucks. If you want a more scientific electronic one it is around $20-$30. A simple wind vane is also around $20-$30. A scientific wind vane can get up to $850. Barometers can be scientifc or average. An average barometer is around $40. More of a scientific one is averaged around $110. A digital wireless anemometer is around $35-$40. A simple anemometer can be around $20.
Weather balloons differ on cost on the size you want, a smaller balloon is around $40. Larger balloons average around $70-$90. A simple hygometer usually averages around $10-$15. If you want a more technical one it is around $95. A digital psychrometer can get up to at least $95. A simple on e can be just $10.
I don't really think you would want to buy a weather satellite unless you are a billionaire and really like weather because it can get up to 7-9 billion dollars. That is not including the costs of a station youwould have to set up.
Another alternative to measuring everything is getting a digital forecaster that measures everything for around $70-$80. Of you could wah the weather updae or get on to http://www.wfaa.com/

Thursday, May 6, 2010

What all does a weather balloon measure?

A weather balloon is also known as a sounding balloon. It carries an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and it can obtain wind data. This expendable device is called a radiosonde. It is tracked by radar and sends information back after floating aloft in the atmosphere.
The Balloon itself is made of a highly flexible latex material. The balloon is usually filled with hydrogen rather than helium because it is less expensive. Helium can be used as a substitute. The balloons can reach altitudes up to 25 miles or more, it depends on the pressure. Sometimes the balloon goes to far into the atmosphere they have to use sounding rockets to find them. Many UFO sightings have been mistaken for weather balloons.
Weather balloons are being launched everywhere for observations on recent atmospheric updates. They help meteorologists and forecasters on the news to predict the weather.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

What are some of the tools used by meteorologist to predict or report the weather?

Some of the most common weather instruments are, as you probably know, thermometers, barometers, rain gauge, wind vane, and the anemometer. Some that WE don't use everyday but meteorologists use are hygrometer, weather balloons, psychrometer, weather map, and weather satellites.
As you probably know a thermometer measures the air temperature it is usually a small glass tube with mercury or another substance that expands when heated, so it moves up the tube when the air is heated and tells you what the temperature is.
A barometer measures air pressure, it uses mercury also. An Italian scientist named Torricelli invented the first barometer in 1643.
A rain gauge measures the amount of rain that has fallen over a period of time. A wind vane show which directon the wind is blowing. It is most commonly seen as the chicken on top of a barn.
A anemometer measures wind speed, the cups catch the wind which turns a dial. The dial measures the wind speed.
Hygrometers measures the humidity and water vapor level of the air. It does the same thing as a pssychrometer.
A weather balloon measures weather conditions high in the atmosphere. The weather balloons are tracked by radar and carry devices to measure the temperature, humidity, air pressure and other measurements of weather.
A psychrometer measures the relative humidity in the air using the cooling effects of evaporation. This instrument is constructed with two thermometers one is covered by a damp cloth. While the water in the cloth is evaporating it causes the temperature in that thermometer to be lower.
A weather map is used by meteorologists to show atmospheric measurements. Shown by symbols showing conditions of the atmosphere.
Weather satellites take photos of large wind and weather movements that meteorologists analyze with the help of computers.
All of the instruments help meteorologists predict and report the weather with alot of analyzation.