What is a rain gauge? What is its use? Who uses it? Perhaps you have heard of it a hundred times already. Hence, for someone like you who doesn’t know much about what this instrument is for but it is clear that you are after the helpful bunches of data about it, then, you just found the perfect article that will suffice your queries.
The Types of Rain Gauges
Among the popular and commonly used types of rain gauges are the weighing gauges, graduated cylinders, simple buried pit collectors, and the tipping bucket gauges. They all have their own share of pros and cons in line with the collection of rain data.
A Look at the Standard Rain Gauge
The standard type of this instrument was developed at approximately the beginning of the 20th century. It particularly consisted of a funnel that was attached to a graduated cylinder that suited into a bigger container. Almost all modern rain gauges are patterned to this early model.
Moreover, the design allows the outside container to catch the water that overflows from the smaller-sized graduated cylinder. As it is measured, the water that is collected in the graduated cylinder will be gauged. The excess rain water will be placed in a different cylinder and will be measured as well.
Typically, the cylinder uses the millimeter unit of measurement. The bigger container is the one that is used to gather the rainfall that amounts to more than 25mm which flows out from the tiny hole located on top of the smaller cylinder. There is a metal pipe which is affixed to the container that is flexible and adjustable to guarantee that the rain gauge is showing the appropriate level. The pipe is then fitted over some kind of a metal rod which has been originally affixed in the ground.
The Weighing Precipitation Gauge
The weighing type precipitation gauge is made up of a storage bin that is used to record the mass. There are models which gauge the mass with the use of a rotating drum or pen or by means of a vibrating wire that is connected to a data logger. Its primary advantage is that it rarely underestimates the extreme rain and it can still gauge other kinds of precipitation like snow, hail, and rain. However, they are more costly and needs higher maintenance level.
Likewise, this type bears a kind of device that promotes the measurement of the amount of chemicals that are contained in the atmosphere of a particular location. Scientists who study the greenhouse gas effects as well as their effects on the acid rain levels find it very helpful.
The Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge
This type is composed of a big copper cylinder which is normally secured to the ground. At the top is the funnel which responsibly gathers and then channels the precipitation. The latter then falls into one of either the levers or small buckets that are balanced like the scale. When there is about 0.2 mm precipitation amount, the lever tips fall and then an electrical signal is transmitted to the recorder.
There are of course several modern models being used these days. Their designs may vary but what remains alike is the purpose that they serve. Professionals also have their own methods of reading the data and providing accurate records.