Rainfall was the first element accurately measured. It isn't known
by whom or where the first rain gauge was used. Nothing more than a
bucket and ruler are required. Records show the the Greeks kept some
rainfall records as early as the 5th. Century B.C.
There are various types of raingauges used to measure rainfall:
(1) The Standard 8 inch rain gauge. (2) Weighing Bucket rain gauge.
(3) The Tipping Bucket rain gauge. (4) Electronic Rain gauge.
There are also some plastic rain gauges used to measure rainfall.
These are quite convenient, in that they can be placed on a fence post
or any other structure without too much of a problem. The gauge
calibration marks are on it, and the rainfall amounts are
read directly off the gauge.
The standard 8 inch rain gauge consists of a receiving funnel,
measuring tube and a measuring stick. It is usually supported
on a wood or metal stand. The receiving funnel has an 8 inch
opening at the top. Rain falls through the receiving funnel
and passes through an opening and is collected
in the measuring tube to measure the amount of water that has fallen.
The measuring stick is marked in inches, tenths and hundreds of an
inch.
To measure how much rainfall has occurred, you simply put the measuing
stick into the measuring tube and read the amount on the stick.
When one inch of rain has fallen, it means that enough water has
fallen to cover one square acre one inch.
To measure rainfall accurately the rain gauge should be located well
out in the opening away from tall buildings and trees. Inaccurate
measurments may be observed if the gauge is too close to such objects.
Water thatis falling or blown off these structures may enter the gauge
indicating more rain has fallen than actually has.
"Measuring Rainfall"
Rainfall was the first element accurately measured. It isn't known
by whom or where the first rain gauge was used. Nothing more than a
bucket and ruler are required. Records show the the Greeks kept some
rainfall records as early as the 5th. Century B.C.
There are various types of raingauges used to measure rainfall:
(1) The Standard 8 inch rain gauge. (2) Weighing Bucket rain gauge.
(3) The Tipping Bucket rain gauge. (4) Electronic Rain gauge.
There are also some plastic rain gauges used to measure rainfall.
These are quite convenient, in that they can be placed on a fence post
or any other structure without too much of a problem. The gauge
calibration marks are on it, and the rainfall amounts are read
directly off the gauge.
The standard 8 inch rain gauge consists of a receiving funnel,
measuring tube and a measuring stick. It is usually supported on
a wood or metal stand. The receiving funnel has an 8 inch opening
at the top. Rain falls through the receiving funnel and passes
through an opening and is collected in the measuring tube to
measure the amount of water that has fallen.
The measuring stick is marked in inches, tenths and hundreds of an
inch.
To measure how much rainfall has occurred, you simply put the measuing
stick into the measuring tube and read the amount on the stick.
When one inch of rain has fallen, it means that enough water has
fallen to cover one square acre one inch.
To measure rainfall accurately the rain gauge should be located well
out in the opening away from tall buildings and trees.
Inaccurate measurments may be observed if the gauge is too
close to such objects. Water that is falling or blown off
these structures may enter the gauge indicating more rain has
fallen than actually has.
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© 1998 - 2014 Charles A. Giannetta
"Weather By Giannetta"