Barometer

Hello there. My name is Barometer, and I have a very special job. I love to tell you all about the weather. All around us is air, but you cannot see it. It is like a big, soft, invisible blanket that covers everything. Sometimes this air blanket pushes down hard, and it feels heavy. Other times, the air blanket is very gentle and light. I can feel the air blanket change, and I will tell you all about it. I am your special weather helper, and I am so happy to meet you. It is my favorite thing to do.

I was born a long, long time ago, way back in the year 1643. A very kind and smart man made me. His name was Evangelista Torricelli. He took a long, skinny glass tube and filled it with a special liquid. It was shiny and silvery and loved to wiggle and jiggle inside me. He saw that when the big air blanket was heavy, it pushed my shiny liquid way up high. When the air blanket was light and gentle, my shiny liquid would slide back down. I was so excited to start my new job helping people.

Watching my liquid move is like a secret message about the day. When you see my silvery liquid climb up high, it means sunny skies are coming. Hooray. It is a good day to run and play outside. But when my liquid slides down low, it might mean rain is on the way. It is a good day to wear your rain boots and splash in the puddles. I love being a weather friend to everyone. From farmers who grow yummy food to families going on an adventure, I am so happy to help you know what the day will be like.