A rain water gauge, or rain gauge, works by collecting rainwater and measuring the amount that has fallen. Essentially, it measures rainfall depth over time.
Here's a breakdown of how it functions:
- Collection: The rain gauge has an opening (usually a funnel) that collects the rain falling on it.
- Measurement: The collected water then flows into a measuring tube or container. The depth of the water in the tube is measured against a calibrated scale, typically in millimeters (mm) or inches. As the 14-Aug-2018 reference highlights, a rain gauge "collects water falling on it and records the change over time in the rainfall depth, which is usually expressed in mm."
- Recording: The amount of rainfall is then recorded either manually by observing the scale or automatically by using electronic sensors.
While simple rain gauges provide the overall rainfall amount, more sophisticated instruments called disdrometers can offer much more detailed information about the raindrop size and velocity.
In summary, a rain gauge provides a measurement of how much rain has fallen over a period of time by collecting the water and measuring its depth.
