The Weather Observer's Handbook
The Weather Observer's Handbook
This handbook provides a comprehensive, practical, and independent guide to all aspects of making weather observations. The second edition has been fully updated throughout with new material, new instruments and technologies, and the latest reference and research materials. Traditional and modern weather instruments are covered, including how best to choose and to site a weather station, how to get the best out of your equipment, how to store and analyse your records and how to share your observations. The book's emphasis is on modern electronic instruments and automatic weather stations. It provides advice on replacing 'traditional' mercury-based thermometers and barometers with modern digital sensors, following implementation of the UN Minamata Convention outlawing mercury in the environment. The Weather Observer's Handbook will again prove to be an invaluable resource for both amateur observers choosing their first weather instruments and professional observers looking for a comprehensive and up-to-date guide.
- This second edition has been fully updated throughout with new material, new instruments and technologies, and the latest reference and research materials
- Updated to reflect the progressive withdrawal of mercury-based meteorological instrumentation arising from the UN Minamata Convention, presenting the best methods for their replacement with modern digital sensors
- Follows the most up-to-date guidelines set out by the World Meteorological Organization, including full details of site classification for air temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and sunshine and solar radiation measurements
Reviews & endorsements
'… an excellent introduction to setting up and running a weather station, with actionable tips, including on calibration, that assist readers no matter what their budget for equipment may be. … Highly recommended.' S. G. Decker, Choice
'Here, in a new second edition of the unique and popular book The Weather Observer's Handbook, we are treated to another cornucopia of knowledge on meteorological observation, collected altogether in a unique and valuable volume.' Edward Graham, Weather (Royal Meteorological Society)
Product details
April 2024Paperback
9781009260589
522 pages
255 × 175 × 27 mm
0.956kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. The Basics:
- 1. Why measure the weather?
- 2. Choosing a weather station
- 3. Buying a weather station
- Part II. Measuring the Weather:
- 4. Site and exposure – the basics
- 5. Measuring the temperature of the air
- 6. Measuring precipitation
- 7. Measuring atmospheric pressure
- 8. Measuring humidity
- 9. Measuring wind speed and direction
- 10. Measuring grass and earth temperatures
- 11. Measuring sunshine and solar radiation
- 12. Observing hours and time standards
- 13. Aws data flows, display and storage
- 14. Non-instrumental weather observing
- 15. Calibration
- 16. Metadata – what is it, and why is it important?
- Part III. Making the Most of Your Observations:
- 17. Collecting and storing data
- 18. Making the data avalanche work for you
- 19. Sharing your observations
- 20. Summary and getting started
- Appendix 1: Metrology and meteorology: an instrument theory primer
- Appendix 2: Recommended products
- Appendix 3: Useful sources
- Appendix 4: Mercury-based legacy thermometers and barometers
- Appendix 5: Useful functions
- Appendix 6: Unit conversions
- References
- Further reading
- Index.
