Elements of Weather

Introduction

Weather means change in temperature, humidity, air pressure, conditions of winds, clouds and rain of a particular area. The temporary atmospharic condition of a place is known as weather. This short period may last from few hours to some days.

Weather changes with the passage of time. To estimate the weather conditions of a place at particular time, we take help from the factors affecting weather. Thus it is important to study these factors.

Elements of weather:

Elements of weather, its measuring instruments and the units The weather is formed by the following five elements: 1. Temperature 2. Rainfall 3. Air Pressure 4. Winds 5. Humidity

1.Temperature

The temperature is the main element of weather. All other elements of weather depend upon it. The temperature of something is a measure of how hot or cold it is. The hot things or weather shows high temperature while a thing or weather having less heat shows low temperature. Thermometer is the instrument to measure the temperature. The measuring units of temperature are Centigrade o C), Fahrenheit and Kelvin.

2. Rainfall

Falling of water drops from clouds on the Earth's surface is called rainfall. The water vapours rise up in the air from the surface of oceans, rivers and lakes. The vapours are then transformed into clouds which cause the rainfall. The rainfall is the lifeline for irrigation and vegetation. The rain is measured with an instrument called 'Rain Gauge'. The measuring units of rainfall are Millimetre (mm) and inch.

Elements of Weather

Air pressure

The air has weight. The air weight at a particular place is known as air pressure of that place. As the altitude increases, the air pressure decreases. The air pressure is measured with the help of an instrument called Barometer. The unit of measurement of air pressure is called millibar

Winds

 The movement of air in a particular direction and speed is called wind. The winds blow from high pressure areas to low pressure areas. Winds continue blowing until the pressure of both the places is the same. Wind Vane is used to show the direction of the wind. An instrument known as Anemometer is used to record the speed of wind. The unit of air speed is kilometre per hour.

Elements of Weather

Humidity

The amount of moisture in the air is called humidity. The level of humidity is high in areas close to the sea and of maximum rainfall. The level of humidity is low in areas which are dry and away from the sea. Hygrometer is an instrument used to measure the level of humidity. Weather Forecast, Measurement and the Importance of Weather Record

Weather forecast is the prediction of weather, elements such as rain, temperature, clouds and air pressure. This is done with the help of weather measuring instruments. The general public is informed of the weather by the Indian Government through weather stations established in various cities. If we have old weather record of many years, then on the basis of such data of weather elements, changes in weather can be studied. The crops can be cultivated keeping in view the weather forecast. Moreover, we can have advance information about heat, cold and rain and precautionary measures can be taken for expected floods. Arrangements for holding sports events are also scheduled keeping in view weather forecast