2. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the eighteenth century. The nineteenth century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries. Breakthroughs in weather forecasting were achieved in the latter half of the twentieth century, after the development of the computer.
3. Meteorological phenomena are observable weather events which illuminate and are explained by the science of meteorology. Those events are bound by the variables that exist in Earth's atmosphere: They are temperature, air pressure, water vapor, and the gradients and interactions of each variable, and how they change in time. The majority of Earth's observed weather is located in the troposphere.
4. Different spatial scales are studied to determine how systems on local, region, and global levels impact weather and climatology. Meteorology, climatology, atmospheric physics, and atmospheric chemistry are sub-disciplines of the atmospheric sciences. Meteorology and hydrology compose the interdisciplinary field ofhydrometeorology. Interactions between Earth's atmosphere and the oceans are part of coupled ocean-atmosphere studies. Meteorology has application in many diverse fields such as the military, energy production, transport, agriculture and construction.
5. Weather Instruments Barometer: measures atmospheric pressure in Millibars. A barometer can also be used by pilots as an altimeter, because as a pilot flies upward, the pointer gives the altitude above sea level. Thermometer: measures the temperature in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit Rain gauge: measures the amount of rainfall in mm. Not only does a rain gauge measure rainfall, but also all other forms of precipitation. Campbell Stokes Recorder: measures sunshine. This type of recorder is made up of a glass ball which concentrates sunshine on to a thick piece of card. The sunshine then burns a mark on the card which shows the number of hours of sunshine in the day.
6. Anemometer: measures wind speed in mph. The most common type looks like a toy windmill. Three cups are fixed to a central shaft and the stronger the wind blows the faster they spin around. The wind speed is shown on a dial, just like a car's speedometer. Wind Vane/Wind Sock: measures wind direction by pointing towards North, East, South or West Hygrometer: measures the temperature and amount of humidity in degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius. A hygrometer actually uses human hair to tell how much humidity is in the air. It contains a sheaf of blond human hairs treated to remove the oils. As the relative humidity increases, the hairs increase in length and operate the recording mechanism.
