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Weighing gauge


We discussed the standard rain gauge in our last post, and now I am going to look at the weighing gauge. This type of gauge contains a big storage bin, which is weighed to record the mass. Different models weigh the mass, by different means, for example one way is to use a vibrating wire which is connected to a data logger. Another way of measuring the mass is with a pen on a rotating drum.

The advantages of a weighing gauge over other gauges, is the fact it can measure all types of precipitation, snow, hail and off course rain. The weighing gauge is also able to measure chemicals in the atmosphere in the area it is located. This chemical measuring can be extemely useful for scientists, who can check the effects of green house gases. The downside to this type of gauge is that it is more expensive then other types, and requires more maintenance.

Automatic Rain gauge

Automatic Rain gauge

A rain gauge is a instrument that measures how much rainfall falls in a given set time.

The Ancient greeks were the first people to monitor rainfall at around 500 b.c. They were followd by the Country of India, around 100 years later, using bowls to collect the water. Measuring the rainfall give the greeks and Indians an idea to collect the data, and then tax there citizens, according to how much growth of pastures from the rainfall.

According to history, the first known rain gauge was made by a man called Cheugugi from Korea, but we also find other sources that credit Jang Yeong Sil to be the first person to devlop a rain gauge, by refining an existing gauge.

In the United Kingdom Christopher Wren developed the first rain guage, called the tipping bucket in 1662 A.D.

Usually when measuring how much rain has fallen, the measurements are taken in millimetres, but sometimes it can be measured in inches or centimetres. They can either be read by a person, or a automatic weather station. The amount of time between readings depends on the agency that requires the reading.

There is different types of rain gauges, which can be categorised as,

weighing gauges, tipping bucket gauges, buried pit gauges and graduated cylinders.

Automatic rain gauges are rain gauges that electronically start working once it feels rain on the gauge. They automatically record the data, from measuring to removing the rainfall afterwards. They come with digital displays,and record up to 60 days worth of rain.