Scientists like Anthony Guillory use weather measurements such as wind speed, wind direction, air pressure, air temperature, and precipitation amounts to help them

Extreme weather events can have devastating effects on people and their property.

understand the weather. Data must be collected at many locations in order for forecasters to predict future weather events. Placing measurement tools at various locations on the ground and in the air at different altitudes can help make weather forecasts more accurate. The important thing for scientists is gathering enough information at the right locations and then making a prediction based on their experience and the data they have gathered. This is not as easy as it might sound.

 

In the case of a hurricane, each measurement indicates something different about the behavior of the storm. As each measurement is considered, patterns may begin to reveal the future of the storm. For instance, the lower the air pressure at the center of the hurricane, the stronger the storm is at that time. As air pressure in the hurricane begins to rise, scientists may predict that the storm is beginning to weaken. Forecasters can use this information to make predictions about a hurricane’s formation, growth, and decay that are useful for emergency planning.

 

How else can air pressure figure into a typical weather forecast? When air pressure is higher at one location than at another, the air will move from the higher pressure zone to the lower pressure zone. This movement of air creates wind. We can use a tool called a barometer to measure the rise and fall of air pressure at a given location. Measuring air pressure can help us predict the weather in the near future. What do the other measurements tell us about the current and future weather?

 

In this lab, you will build and use a several weather measurement tools to do your own weather study.