Weather Tools

Why do scientists use weather tools?

• To figure out what day of the week it is.

• To figure out what month it is.

• To determine what the weather is like and to create weather forecasts.

• To decide what to eat for lunch.

Answer explanation

Scientists use weather tools to figure out things like how hot or cold it feels outside, how much rain has fallen, how windy it is, etc. This data is all combined to identify weather patterns and to create a weather forecast that you see on TV!

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

An anemometer measures wind _____.

• Speed

• Direction

• Smell

• Color

Answer explanation

An anemometer measures how fast, or slow, the wind is blowing. The faster the wind blows, the faster the top of an anemometer spins.

What weather tool is shown here?

• Barometer

• Rain gauge

• Thermometer

• Wind vane

Answer explanation

This is a barometer! It measures atmospheric pressure. This helps us determine if a storm is coming or leaving.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A rain gauge measures which of the following?

• Wind speed

• Amount of rainfall

• Wind direction

• Amount of atmospheric pressure

Answer explanation

A rain gauge collects fallen rain water in a small, measured tube. The amount of rain water in the tube is then measured in centimeters or inches to determine how much rainfall there was in the area.

What does a wind vane measure?

• Humidity

• The wind speed

• The temperature

• The wind direction

Answer explanation

A wind vane shows us wind direction. The smaller end of the arrow points to where the wind is coming from and the larger end of the arrow points to where the wind is going. Underneath the arrow you can see directions (North, East, South, and West).

What weather tool is shown here?

• Barometer
• Thermometer

• Wind vane

• Hygrometer

Answer explanation

This is a thermometer! It measures the temperature outside to tell us if it is hot or cold. It measures in Celsius and in Fahrenheit. We use Fahrenheit to describe temperature in the United States of America.

A barometer measures what?

• The amount of rainfall

• Wind speed

• Humidity

• Atmospheric pressure

Answer explanation

Barometers help us determine atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure tells scientists if storms or fronts are coming in or leaving the area.

What weather tool is shown here?

• Rain gauge

• Hygrometer

• Wind vane

• Barometer

Answer explanation

This is a rain gauge! It measures the amount of rainfall. You can tell from the small container that is used to catch the rain water. You may have one in your yard at home.

A hygrometer measures what?

• The amount of rainfall

• Atmospheric Pressure

• Humidity

• Wind direction

Answer explanation

A hygrometer measures the humidity. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air.

What weather tool is shown here?

• Wind vane

• Barometer

• Rain Gauge

• Anemometer

Answer explanation

This is a wind vane! You can use the arrow to figure out where the wind is coming from and where the wind is going.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5