The weather instruments are found on land in weather stations. These are locations that are carefully chosen so that accurate and reliable data are collected. Weather stations are clear of obstructions that could block the wind or cast shadows. They are fenced off so that animals cannot get in and damage the equipment.

An important part of a weather station is a Stevenson Screen, which holds the thermometers.

This is a white box with slatted sides. The white colour reflects the direct suns rays and slats on the sides allow air to pass through freely. The box is raised on stilts so that it is easier to read the instruments and there is no effect from the ground. Accurate temperature and humidity readings can then be taken.

The information collected from weather stations and other sources is shown on synoptic (weather) charts. A weather station symbol is used to show as much information about the weather in a very small diagram.

The shows the pattern used to display wind speed. The line sticking out of the circle points to the direction the wind is coming from. In the above symbols the wind is a south-easterly.