What is the best instrument to use to predict the most accurate forecast of the weather?
Meteorologists or forecasters tend to use a variety of instruments including ground-based in-situ measurements and remote sensing measurements. Instruments like thermometers and wind vanes are “in situ” because they are directly measuring a parameter like temperature or wind direction. Remote sensing instruments like satellite cameras or radar or your own eye, make measurements from a distance. However, if I had one instrument available for forecasting changes in the weather, I would choose a barometer. A barometer measures air pressure or how much the atmosphere above you weighs. Generally, changes in air pressure are good indicators of weather changes. For example, a falling barometric pressure usually indicates the approach of a Low or lower pressure, which is generally associated with rainy or stormy weather. EXPERT: Marshall Shepherd NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center TORNADOES QUESTION: Have you ever been with a group of people that chase tornadoes and what did you learn? ANSWER: Y
