what is a rain gauge?
A rain gauge is a meteorological instrument that measures the rain that falls in a given amount of time per unit area.
Which models do we use?
HOBO Rain Gauge (Metric) Data Logger RG3-M
This data logging rain gauge records data collected by the tipping-bucket rain gauge using a HOBO® Pendant Event data logger. It can automatically record up to 3200 mm of rainfall so once it is installed, we just need to visit it periodically to download the data. |
RainWise PortLog Portable Weather Station
This weather station measures temperature, wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure, relative humidity, dew point, solar radiation, and rainfall. This is powered by a solar panel, and can store 2 months of data. |
How does the tipping bucket rain gauge work?
A tipping bucket rain gauge has a pair of rainwater collecting buckets. It is covered by a funnel, with an open collector area at the top where we attach bird spikes to discourage birds from roosting on our gauges. The buckets pivot so that only one bucket is under the funnel at a time. When it rains, water runs through the funnel and is collected in the collecting bucket. When the water fills the bucket, it tips, emptying the water. When one bucket tips, the other bucket quickly moves into place to collect rainwater. Each time a bucket tips, an electronic signal is sent to a recorder which is registered by the instrument with time stamp. As we know the volume of the bucket we can calculate the rate of rainfall. Description based on Acharya (2017).
This project is supported by the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences through an award titled " Collaborative Research: Physical processes in formation and breakdown of hypoxia in a tropical bay” (OCE 1924220). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.