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.