This lesson offers a comprehensive overview of precipitation measurement at the Earth’s surface. The lesson begins by defining precipitation and why it is an important property to characterize. It then provides details about the properties and characteristics of gauges that measure precipitation. Precipitation gauges are divided into catchment-type gauges and disdrometers, which count individual drops. The effects of wind on precipitation measurement are discussed along with a comparison of several different wind shields. The special challenges of measuring snow are discussed along with the instruments and methods used to measure it and its water equivalent. The lesson concludes with a discussion of the characteristics and importance of proper siting.
The lesson is part of the Instrumentation and Measurement of Atmospheric Parameters course series. It is intended primarily for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to expand their familiarity with atmospheric instrumentation. Some previous knowledge of atmospheric science and mathematics will prove useful.
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At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to do the following:
- Identify different measurements methods of precipitation amount and intensity.
- Describe the operating principles of common instruments used to measure ground-based precipitation.
- Identify sources of uncertainty in precipitation measurements.
- Match measurement instruments to scientific or operational requirements.
- Recommend optimal siting locations based on representativeness and the given measurement need.
precipitation, precipitation gauge, rain gauge, catchment-type gauge, tipping bucket, weighing gauge, float rain gauge, disdrometer, acoustic disdrometer, impact disdrometer, displacement disdrometer, doppler radar disdrometer, optical disdrometer, present weather detector, PWD, forward-scattering PWD, video disdrometer, snowfall, snow depth, snowfall water content, snow depth water content, wind shields, double fence intercomparison reference, DFIR, Tretyakov shield, Alter shield, double Alter shield, Nipher gauge, Wyoming shield. Hotplate snow gauge, snow pillow, SNOTEL, ultrasonic snow depth, siting, interpolation, radar