Modern Methods
Surprisingly, most information about the weather is collected by small automated land-based weather stations around the world. This has, to a large extent, replaced networks of observers around the country. Often these weather stations are similar to one you might find in a home or school garden. They are housed in a Stevenson screen or box which shelters the measuring instruments from direct sunlight and rain, whilst allowing air to flow freely. Some are still visited by observers who copy the information down by hand. See our weather station pages for how to make your own observations.
Most modern weather stations are fully automated installations, often powered by solar energy. Readings are relayed to forecasting centres by communications satellites.
Weather data from around the world
As well as this, data comes in from weather balloons, aircraft, ships and buoys. Helium-filled weather balloons are released several times a day in many parts of the world to collect information from the upper atmosphere. These balloons, known as radiosonde devices, carry temperature, pressure and humidity sensors and the observations are transmitted to the ground by radio. Specially-equipped aircraft are used to obtain temperature and humidity readings, and to study the physics of clouds.
Loaded with sensitive instruments, and sometimes powered by solar energy, weather buoys either moored, or drifting with ocean currents, provide valuable data for forecasters.
