What is reported from certified direct-reading instruments?

• A. Wind direction, velocity, and altimeter
• B. Density, weather observation, and temperature
• C. Dew point, temperature, and visibility
• D. Ceiling, dew point, and density

Answer: (A)

Direct-reading instruments in the tower give you the actual numerical values for certain weather elements as soon as you look at them. The wind direction indicator and the anemometer provide the wind’s direction and speed directly, while the altimeter shows the current pressure altitude (altimeter setting). These readings come straight from the instruments without needing interpretation or calculation, which is why they’re described as direct-reading.

Other items are not provided as direct readings by these certified instruments because they’re typically derived or obtained from different sensors or procedures. Dew point and density rely on combinations of temperature, humidity, and pressure; visibility and ceiling often come from separate sensors or from human observation. So the trio from certified direct-reading instruments is wind direction, wind speed, and altimeter.