WEATHER ELEMENTS

 
ELEMENT
DEFINITION
INSTRUMENT
Unit of Measure
temperature
degree of hot or cold in the atmosphere
thermometer
degrees
humidity
measure of moisture in the atmosphere
hygrometer
percent
wind speed
how fast the air is moving
anemometer
miles per hour
wind direction
direction in which wind is moving
wind sock
n, s, e, w, ne, nw, se,sw
wind chill
adjustment to temperature depending on chilling effect of wind  
degrees
precipitation
water that falls to earth as rain, snow, sleet, hail
rain gauge
inches
dew point
temperature at which air is saturated  
degrees
barometric pressure
weight of the air in the atmosphere
barometer
inches
heat index
adjustment to temperature depending on humidity
degrees