Weather: Measuring the Atmosphere

Measuring the Atmosphere

A good prediction must begin with a set of observations. The atmosphere needs to be measured, weighed, and analyzed before we can begin to make a forecast. We've already checked out the basic weather variables in "Bring on the Rain," and looked at how they can be measured. So this is going to be a partial review, but we'll take a more detailed look at how weather data is collected and transmitted from one part of the world to another.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weather © 2002 by Mel Goldstein, Ph.D.. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.