Weather_800L_03

Observation and Analytical Methods

You probably know many of the common tools used to study the weather. Thermometers are used to measure temperature. Rain gauges are used to measure precipitation, such as rain. Barometers are used to measure air pressure. Anemometers are used to measure the speed of the wind. Wind vanes collect data about wind direction. Meteorologists use the data from these tools to analyze the weather.

The data helps them make forecasts. Forecasts are predictions about the weather. Weather data has been collected in a similar way for centuries. What has changed is the way this data is analyzed. At one time, humans did all the work of analyzing data. Computers have taken over much of this role. Computers can handle huge amounts of data. They can analyze the data very quickly. As a result, they can analyze far more data than any human. It is now possible to use computer models to make forecasts. These forecasts can be made on a local or global scale.

But computers have their limits. Even computers are not perfect when it comes to predicting weather. Think about when you hear there is a chance of rain.

It does not guarantee an area will receive rain. It’s also hard to make forecasts over a long period of time. No matter how high-tech the computer, meteorologists are still necessary. They have knowledge of local weather patterns that cannot be replaced by a computer. It is their analysis that helps us plan our day. They can also help us stay safe through any weather event.

Summary

On any given day, you can find a meteorologist hard at work. They spend their days collecting data and wading through weather data. With the help of computers and their own knowledge about local weather patterns, they create weather forecasts. It is these forecasts that help us plan our day and keep us safe.