A weather station is an instrument used to gather meteorological data about atmospheric conditions such as temperature, wind speed, air pressure, and precipitation. Alternative names for this device include meteorological station or the weather observatory. Depending on the application, weather stations may have varying levels of sophistication and features ranging from basic thermometer and barometer systems to more complex units combining multiple sensors. Some examples of other terms used to describe weather stations include weather center, weather monitoring station, and climate station. Ultimately, the terminology used to describe these devices may vary based on specific attributes and applications in the industry or scientific community.