2. What is a rain gauge?
A rain gauge (also known as undometer, pulviometer or an
ombrometer) is a type of instrument used by meteorologists
hydrologists to gather and measure the amount of liquid
precipitation over a set period of time.
3. Purpose of rain gauge
the purpose of rain gauge is simple to measure how much rain has fallen
in the last 24 hours.
The gauge is re-set every 24 hours for accuracy and if rain fall exceeds
expectations a graph is plotted to measure how much rain should fall on
average for the following few days.
5. Standard rain gauge
Standard rain gauge consists of a funnel emptying into a
graduated cylinder,2cm in diameter, which fits inside a larger
container which is 20cm in diameter and 50cm tall
When measurements are taken the height of the water in the small
graduated cylinder is measured.
7. Tipping bucket rain gauge
The tipping bucket rain gauge consists of a funnel that collects and channels the
precipitation into a small see-saw like container
After a pre-set amount of precipitation falls, the lever tips, dumping the collected
water and sending an electrical signal
Modern tipping (rg) consists of a plastic collector balanced over a pivot. When it tips
it actuates a switch, which is then electronically recorded or transmitted to a remote
collector station
9. Optical rain gauge
These have a row of collection funnels
In an enclosed space below each is a layer diode and a photo transistor detector
,when enough water is collected to make a single drop it drops from the bottom,
falling into the laser beam path.
The sensor is set at right angles to the laser so that enough light is scattered to be
detected as a sudden flash or light.
The flash from the photo detector then read and transmitted or recorded
11. Acoustic rain gauge
the acoustic disdrometer is also known as hydrophone, it is able to
sense the sound signatures for each drop size as rain strikes.
Selected moments of the drop size distribution yield rainfall rate,
rainfall accumulation and other rainfall properties.
13. Importance of rain gauge
a rain gauge measures rain fall and other precipitation like heavy rains
dew and mist.
It is important to know how much moisture and water is present in the
ground.
This helps people like farmers and companies who sell food goods and
other users.
14. Why rg is made up of copper
A rain gauge can be made up of many things but the use of copper
is advantageous as it fabricates easily and inexpensive.
It is also resistant to corrosion.
Copper is also poisonous to moulds and slimy things that might
want to grow on it.
15. facts about rain gauges
They don’t work in hurricanes. No water will get collected in the cylinder
because of too strong winds.
Most rain gauges are inaccurate because of winds.
Rain gauges don’t work in certain temperature ranges because
precipitation gets freeze.
Unit of rain gauge is mm(usually).
