Practical Exercises in Elementary MeteorologyWard, Robert DeCourcy
Science
Practical Exercises in Elementary Meteorology
Ward, Robert DeCourcy
Meteorology
The =anemometer= shown in Fig. 16 is the most generally used of
instruments designed to measure wind velocity. It is known as the Robinson
cup anemometer, and consists of four hollow hemispherical cups upon arms
crossed at right angles, and all facing the same way around the circle.
The cross-arms are fixed upon a vertical axis having an endless screw at
its lower end. When the cups move around, the endless screw turns two
dials which register the number of miles traveled by the wind. The Weather
Bureau pattern of anemometer has the dials mounted concentrically, the
outer dial having 100, and the inner, 99 divisions. The revolutions of
the outer dial are recorded on the inner one, and in making an observation
of the number of miles traveled by the wind, the hundreds and tens of
miles are taken from the inner dial, and the miles and tenths from the
outer one. Take from the inner scale the hundreds and tens of miles
contained between the zero of that scale and the zero of the outer one.
Take on the outer scale the miles and tenths of miles contained between
the zero of that scale and the index point of the instrument. The sum of
these readings is the reading of the instrument at the time of the
observation.
[Illustration: FIG. 15.]
[Illustration: FIG. 16.]
Wind velocities are recorded in miles per hour. The velocity of the wind
at any particular moment is found by noting the number of miles and tenths
of miles recorded by the index before and after an interval of one minute,
or of five minutes, and multiplying this rate by 60 or by 12 as the case
may be. This gives the number of miles an hour that the wind is blowing at
the time of observation.
Records of wind velocity (in miles per hour) are to be made at each
regular observation hour, and are to be entered in the proper column of
the table in your record book. The total wind movement in each 24 hours is
to be observed once a day, always at the same hour, and is to be entered
in its proper column in the record book.
The total wind movement for 24 hours is obtained as follows: Subtract the
reading of the anemometer at 12 noon (or 8 A.M., or any other hour) of the
preceding day from the reading taken at 12 noon or the corresponding hour
of the current day, and the difference will be the total movement of the
wind. When the reading of the anemometer is less than the reading of the
preceding day, 990 miles should be added to it; and the remainder, after
subtracting the reading of the preceding day, will be the total wind
movement for the 24 hours. Thus: To-day’s reading = 91 miles; yesterday’s
reading = 950 miles. Hence 91 + 990 = 1081 miles, 1081 - 950 = 131 miles
= total wind movement for the current day.
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