Weighing precipitation gauge

A weighing-type precipitation gauge consists of a storage bucket, which is weighed to record the
mass.
There is Spring scale beneath the collecting bucket platform that is calibrated to mark the rainfall
depth on a paper chart.
The chart is rotated by a spring-driven or electric clock at speeds of 1 revolution in 6, 9, 12, 24, or 192
hours.
The rain gauge chart is a record of the accumulated of rainfall for the selected time interval.
Certain models measure the mass using a pen on a rotating drum, or by using a vibrating wire attached
to a data logger.

Merits:

The advantages of this type of gauge over tipping buckets are that it does not underestimate intense
rain.
It can measure other forms of precipitation, including rain, hail and snow.
It may also contain a device to measure the quantity of chemicals contained in the location's
atmosphere. This is extremely helpful for scientists studying the effects of greenhouse gases released
into the atmosphere and their effects on the levels of the acid rain.

Demerits:

These gauges are, however, more expensive and require more maintenance than tipping bucket
gauges.

Sources of error:

Liquid precipitation amounts below 0.05 mm in combination with intervals of measurement

greater than 3 min temperature above 15 C can considerably affect the measured precipitation
using electronic weighing gauges.

Tipping bucket rain gauge

The tipping bucket rain gauge consists of a funnel that collects and channels the precipitation into a
small seesaw-like container.
After a pre-set amount of precipitation falls, the lever tips, dumping the collected water and sending
an electrical signal.
An old-style recording device may consist of a pen mounted on an arm attached to a geared wheel that
moves once with each signal sent from the collector.
In this design, the wheel turns the pen arm moves either up or down leaving a trace on the graph and
at the same time making a loud click.
Each jump of the arm is sometimes referred to as a 'click' in reference to the noise.
The chart is measured in 10-minute periods (vertical lines) and 0.4 mm (0.015 in) (horizontal lines)
and rotates once every 24 hours and is powered by a clockwork motor that must be manually wound.

Merits:

The advantage of the tipping bucket rain gauge is that the character of the rain (light, medium or heavy)
may be easily obtained.

Demerits:

The tipping bucket rain gauge is not as accurate as the standard rain gauge because the rainfall may stop
before the lever has tipped.
When the next period of rain begins it may take no more than one or two drops to tip the lever. This would
then indicate that 0.2 mm (0.007 in) has fallen when in fact only a minute amount has.
Tipping buckets also tend to underestimate the amount of rainfall, particularly in snowfall and heavy
rainfall events.

Sources of error:

Inconsistent rain may cause error because amount of rain may not tip the lever.

Non-recording Raingauges

Measure with calibrated flask or dipstick

Flask usually tapered to allow accuracy if little rain
Storage gauges in remote areas

Merits:

Easy to install
Simplest and cheapest raingage
Doesnt require maintenance very often and is easy to maintain

Demerits:Data is not recorded and cannot be collected wirelessly

Sources of error:

Evaporation losses high

Formation of oil film
small exposed surface area
poor ventilation
low internal temperature

Solution #7
Year

Station A

1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992

32.9
28.1
33.5
29.6
23.8
54.4
46.3
30.8
46.8
38.1
40.8
37.9
50.7
46.9
50.5
34.4
47.6

4-Stations
Average
38.4
37.5
43.175
37.1
37.425
52.2
43.675
32.275
38.9
41.325
34.7
43.325
44.725
45.6
45.975
33.925
45.95

Cumulative
Station A
32.9
61
94.5
124.1
147.9
202.3
248.6
279.4
326.2
364.3
405.1
443
493.7
540.6
591.1
625.5
673.1

Cumulative
4-Stations
38.4
75.9
119.075
156.175
193.6
245.8
289.475
321.75
360.65
401.975
436.675
480
524.725
570.325
616.3
650.225
696.175

Adjusted
Data
45.2046
38.6094
46.029
40.6704
32.7012
54.4
46.3
30.8
46.8
38.1
40.8
37.9
50.7
46.9
50.5
34.4
47.6

Adjusted
Cumulative
45.2046
83.814
129.843
170.5134
203.2146
257.6146
303.9146
334.7146
381.5146
419.6146
460.4146
498.3146
549.0146
595.9146
646.4146
680.8146
728.4146

Double Mass Curve

800
700

Cumulative Station A

600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0

100

200

300

400

500

Cumulative 4-Stations

600

700

800

Calculating Slopes
Mi = (124.1-61) / (156.175-75.9)
= 0.786
Mo = (540.6-443) / (570.325-480)
= 1.080
For corrected rainfall reading
Po = (Mo/Mi) x Pi
= (1.080/0.786) x Pi

Correction Factor = 1.080/0.786

= 1.374

Adjusted Double Mass Curve

800

700

Adjusted Cumulative Station A

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
0

100

200

300

400

500

Cumulative 4-Stations

600

700

800

Solution #8

For interval of 30 Minutes

14
12
10

Rainfall
8
6

(mm)

4
2
0
10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

12:00

12:30

13:00

13:30

14:00

14:30

15:00

Time (minutes)

35

Time interval of 2 Hours

30
25

Rainfall
(mm)

20
15
10
5
0
10:00 - 12:00

12:00 - 14:00

Time (minutes)

14:00 - 16:00

15:30

16:00

Max Average Intensity:-

For 30 Minutes

For 1 Hour:-

6/30 = 0.2mm/hr

11/60 = 0.183mm/hr

5/30 =0.1667mm/hr

18/60 = 0.3mm/hr

13/30=0.433mm/hr

22/60 = 0.367mm/hr

5/30 =0.1667mm/hr

10/60 = 0.1667mm/hr

9/30 =0.3mm/hr

06/60 = 0.1mm/hr

13/30=0.433mm/hr
6/30 =0.2mm/hr

For 2 Hours

4/30 =0.133mm/hr

29/120 = 0.241mm/hr

5/30 =0.1667mm/hr

32/120 = 0.266mm/hr

1/30 =0.03mm/hr

06/120 = 0.05mm/hr

0/30 =0 mm/hr

For 3 Hours:-

0/30 =0 mm/hr

51/180 = 0.283 mm/hr

16/180 = 0.089 mm/hr

For 5 Hours:67/300 = 0.223 mm/hr

Intensity For 30 Minutes

0.5
0.45

0.433

0.433

0.4

intensity
(mm/hr)

0.35
0.3

0.3

0.25
0.2

0.2

0.2
0.1667

0.15

0.1667

0.1667
0.133

0.1
0.05

0.03

Time (minutes)

Intensity For 1 Hour

0.4
0.367

0.35
0.3

intensity
(mm/hr)

0.3

0.25
0.2

0.183

0.1667

0.15
0.1

0.1

0.05
0
0-60

60-120

120-180

180-240

Time (minutes)

240-300

0
300-360

Intensity for 2 Hours

0.3
0.25

0.266
0.241

0.2

intensity
(mm/hr)

0.15
0.1
0.05

0.05

0
0-120

120-240

240-360

Time (minutes)

Intensity for 3 Hours

0.3
0.283
0.25
0.2

intensity
(mm/hr)

0.15
0.1

0.089

0.05
0
0-180

180-360

Time (minutes)

Intensity for 5 Hours

0.25
0.233
0.2

intensity
(mm/hr)

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
300-600

0-300

Time (minutes)