List of weather instruments explained

This is a list of devices used for recording and give output readings of various aspects of the weather.

Typical instruments

Weather stations typically have these following instruments:

Thermometer for measuring air and sea surface temperature
Barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure
Hygrometer for measuring humidity
Anemometer for measuring wind speed
Pyranometer for measuring solar radiation
Rain gauge for measuring liquid precipitation over a set period of time
Wind sock for measuring general wind speed and wind direction
Wind vane (also called a weather vane or a weathercock) for showing the wind direction
Present Weather/Precipitation Identification Sensor for identifying falling precipitation
Disdrometer for measuring drop size distribution
Transmissometer for measuring visibility
Ceilometer for measuring cloud ceiling