This handbook provides a comprehensive, practical, and independent guide to all aspects of making weather observations. The second edition has been fully updated throughout with new material, new instruments and technologies, and the latest reference and research materials. Traditional and modern weather instruments are covered, including how best to choose and to site a weather station, how to get the best out of your equipment, how to store and analyse your records and how to share your observations. The book's emphasis is on modern electronic instruments and automatic weather stations. It provides advice on replacing 'traditional' mercury-based thermometers and barometers with modern digital sensors, following implementation of the UN Minamata Convention outlawing mercury in the environment. The Weather Observer's Handbook will again prove to be an invaluable resource for both amateur observers choosing their first weather instruments and professional observers looking for a comprehensive and up-to-date guide.

This fascinating and well-illustrated book, which is packed with valuable information and advice, provides a complete guide to observing, recording and understanding the weather and to setting up an amateur weather station. As the author explains, the advent of relatively modern electronic weather sensors means that weather observing is now within the reach of almost everybody. Moreover, thanks to computer software and the internet, it is easier than ever before to record and share with others your weather data and observations. The book considers why it is useful and interesting to set up a weather station and observe the weather, and outlines many different types of weather. It explains how to get started and describes the instruments that are available to the amateur meteorologist. It further demonstrates how good observations can be made using some simple instruments, or, in some instances, no instruments at all. It discusses clouds, snow, wind, optical phenomena, thunder dust, ash and hail and examines atmospheric pressure, precipitation, thermometer screens, air temperature and humidy, soil and surface temperatures and evaporation. It covers sunshine and solar radiation, and also local weather and climate and includes a valuable chapter on instrument and computer software suppliers. Essential reading for all those with an interest in observing and understanding the weather, and superbly illustrated with 132 colour photographs and 20 charts & graphs.

The Radcliffe Observatory possesses the longest continuous series of single-site weather records in the British Isles, and one of the longest in the world. The book comprises weather commentaries by month and season, a chronology of notable weather events in Oxford since the 17th Century, an analysis of climate change in Oxford over two centuries.