Systems for Measurements at the Surface

Abstract

Traditionally, meteorological measurements made at the Earth’s surface have been called “surface observations.” But few surface observations are observations of the surface; most are observations of atmospheric phenomena made by an observer on the surface. Strictly speaking, an observation is a noting. Thus, an observer can make a visual noting, for example, of sky color or cloud cover. Prior to the development and use of instruments such as barometers, thermometers, anemometers, and raingauges, much of the meteorological data base and many of the “forecasts” were the result of experience derived from such observations; e.g.,

Red skies in the morning,

Sailors take warning.

Red skies at night,

Sailors’ delight.