RENDLESHAM WEATHER STATION | FREE LEARNING CENTRE

Volume 6: Weather Instruments

Lesson 6.1: Measuring temperature and humidity

A thermometer measures air temperature; a hygrometer measures humidity. Sensors

should be shielded from direct sunlight and sited away from artificial heat sources.

Poor positioning can distort readings.

Try it: Compare your sensor readings with a nearby trusted station and consider

differences in siting.

Quick quiz: Why shield a temperature sensor from direct sun?

Answer: To avoid solar heating bias.

Lesson 6.2: Rain gauges and anemometers

A rain gauge measures precipitation depth, normally in millimetres. An anemometer

measures wind speed; a wind vane shows direction. Gusts are short peaks and are not

the same as average wind speed. Trees and buildings can shelter or distort local wind

readings.

Try it: Record average wind, peak gust and rain total separately.

Quick quiz: Does a gust reading mean the wind blew that fast all hour?

Answer: No.

Lesson 6.3: Pressure and station quality

Barometers measure pressure; stations may report station pressure or pressure

adjusted to sea level. Regular checks, sensible siting and maintenance help improve

data quality. A single station describes its immediate surroundings, not all of Suffolk.

Try it: Check whether your dashboard shows absolute or relative pressure.

Quick quiz: Why might nearby weather stations report different values?

Answer: Different siting, elevation, calibration and local conditions.

Talk about it: What did you learn, and how might it help you understand the weather where I live?