Project Rain Gauge—How To Make, Use, And Read The Device

If you have always been curious about how the rain gauge works, then, why don't you try experimenting? The job will take simple procedures so you just have to follow through all of it. In the schools, students are always prompted to work on the same project. Now that it may or may not be in connection with your academic subject, you can still expound on this endeavor.

So, are you all set for your project? Just read on below and find out the process that you should follow.

Building Your Rain Gauge

Feel like a child again by working on your Science project. Gather data about the cycle of the weather. Collect the figures in line with the level of rainfall on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis. Take this simple lesson in meteorology. The activity? It is none other than building your own rain gauge!

Step #1. First and foremost, print out and cut out the rain gauge ruler. You can buy this from the local shops or can be downloaded from the Internet. You should check out its preciseness by comparing it with a regular ruler.

Step #2. Cover your paper gauge using the black sticky plastic, clear packing tape, or cellophane. This will make your rain gauge waterproof. Remember not to allow any gaps between the paper and the plastic.

Step #3. Wash the used glass jar or spaghetti sauce jar. Remove the entire label if the jar contains it. It should be left clear. Retain the lid so that evaporation in between the rain showers will be prevented.

Step #4. Position the rain ruler inside the jar. Put zero at the bottom part of the ruler. A ruler inside it will heighten the preciseness of the results.

Step #5. Secure your ruler by using the clear adhesive tape at the top and at the bottom. The packing style tape is best to use. Never make the mistake of using the thin and cheap tape or it will peel off whenever it gets wet.

Step #6. Position your rain gauge in an area outside your home wherein no pets or children can get hold of it. If it is possible, mount it on your rooftop. At any rate, be sure that there is a solid foundation so that it will not topple over.

Step #7. Finally, remove the lid and await the rainy days. Check your instrument on a day to day basis to be sure that no debris, leaves, or insects have gotten inside that may affect the accuracy of the results.

Reading the Rain Gauge

Your project doesn't end in the construction of your personalized instrument. You should know how to read the data that it displays! Here's how to do it properly.

Step #1. Be sure that your rain gauge is empty prior to the start of the rainfall. It will be best to empty the jar or cylinder every after taking the measurement so that you will not be confused.

Step #2. Lift the device to your eye level. Whatever direction you take it, be sure that it is within eye level every time you take the reading.

Step #3. Always record the height of the rainwater. The surface may appear to be a bit curved since the surface tension normally goes to the side of the container. We call it the meniscus. Hence, read the height of the water starting from the meniscus base.

Step #4. Whenever the rain has fallen yet your rain gauge doesn't contain any of it, be sure to put "a trace of precipitation fell" in your record.

Step #5. Be sure to empty your rain gauge after taking the measurement.

Take note of these steps and enjoy the output of your rain gauge project!

Have Your Own Homemade Rain Gauge

If you are creative enough and don't like to spend extra dollar on a new replacement rain gauge to the recently broken one, why not start collecting your tools and equipment and make your own homemade rain gauge? It can be so much fun especially if you do it together with your kids or family. It can also be a great science project for students to learn more about weather – specifically rain and its water cycle. Doing your own homemade rain gauge only requires minimal tools. Here are some guides on how you can start with this project.

Basic Overview of the Rain Gauge

The use of rain gauge, while may not interesting to many, can actually be useful especially because it allows us to learn and compare the rain fall trend from this season to another. It also allows us to know the weather even on those times when we were asleep. It affords us little excitement when there is a fore coming thunderstorm or heavy rain. And gives us compensation to minimal extent on those times when we know the disadvantages of wet days.

The general recommended practice of using the rain gauge is to examine it daily in a regular hour, say at every 8 in the morning and measure the collected rain water. Reports are made with the use of a dial or chart, where all the daily measurements of the collected water are entered.

The Standard Rain Gauge

Any standard rain gauge can be made with the use of cylindrical tube, with a diameter of 5 to 8 inches at the inner part of the rim and the bottom closed down by the use of a funnel. At the lower part of the cylinder, there is a glass catcher which stores the water delivered by the funnel until it is measured using the graduated glass. Good fit is ensured with the lower part so to minimize evaporation as much as possible.

What you need to make a homemade standard rain gauge

A homemade version of this device can be easily constructed with little expense. A cylindrical tin, brass tubing with a height of at least 3 inches and up, and a stout glass tubing with no more 1 quarter diameter with the receiver are the supplies you need for this gauge.

The Gauge

The cylindrical tin is used for your receiver. In this case, be sure to solder watertight the side joints and its bottom. If in case you use your tube for the gauge, solder the flat metal to one squared end. Next, place the receptacle on a level base, and then pour water in until reaching a mark 4 inches off the end of a wire positioned perpendicularly.

Corking the other end of the tube and pouring the water – be careful not spilling any water – this gives the number of your tube inches filled with the other 4 inches in your receiver. As you divide this result by 4, you have now your depth measure unit representing the inch of the rainfall.

The scale 

To graduate your scale, use a smoothed white wood strip with an inch wide. Each inch, divide it into tenths, these tenths into hundredths, and so on until you have a scale that serves as the reading for the rain fall. Attaching permanently both scale and tube to a board will save you trouble and time as well as protect its tube from damage.

The receiver

This is your tin funnel, which serves as your receiver with a central hole made in its bottom and big enough to let the funnel pass through up the swell. The funnel's rim is soldered to the receiver's inside using little heat.

Decorative Rain Gauges – Are They Practical?

Rain gauges are the instruments used by the weathermen to measure the amount of precipitation in a given area at a certain time. Meanwhile, some homeowners find it beneficial to mount the instrument in their own abode so they can enhance the beauty of their lawn and garden plants.

Nevertheless, there is what is called the decorative rain gauge. In fact, its popularity has gone far and wide. Several novices and weather aficionados are drawn into these variants. As it basically suggests, this instrument is by nature, decorative or ornamental.

Why it Applies to Homes

If you own a lawn, then you probably want to include something that is both fancy and useful. The decorative rain gauge is one of the most perfect objects that you can add in your front or back lawn. Not only will it be too attractive to look at but it will also serve its purpose during the rainy and stormy days.

This kind of device is just like any other rain gauge particularly when it comes to its function. It will provide you with the measurement of the amount of rainfall either in inches or millimeters for the unit of measurement. Add to it the fact that it will really look good on your lawn.

Other Uses of the Decorative Style

When you want to add a couple of accents to your entire backyard or front yard, deck, patio, or lawn, then, might as well purchase this rain gauge. Sure enough, it will serve its function in these places. Just be sure to mount it in areas that are flat and free from hindrances such as nearby trees, roofs, and other towering structures. You see, your main goal is to be able to measure the precipitation and determine the characteristic of rain. With leaves, debris, or stones that may get into the funnels, the passageway of the rainwater will be blocked. Hence, you will get inaccurate readings.

So much more, this device can also add an authentic touch to your living room. Of course, the purpose of collecting rainwater and gauging its amount will not materialize in this area.

Where to Mount the Measuring Device

Again, similar to the ordinary rain gauges, the decorative one can be planted on the ground. This is so far one of the safest things to do because it will ensure that the surface is flat and the device will be free from vibration that may prompt an irregular data. However, one disadvantage of which is the risk for contamination. Meaning, some leaves or pollens from nearby trees or water dripping from the roof may get into the funnels.

You may also choose to attach it to any higher surface such as a pole or a railing. This is also a good option as a higher spot tends to give out more precise measurements. This can assure you that only rainwater will fall into it and nothing else. Just be certain though that the area is flat.

Your Choices of Rain Gauge Shapes

Since they are mostly decorated in fine designs and attractive styles, there are available shapes that you may choose from. Take a pick from the dog, bird, frog, and flower shapes and designs, to name a few.

Despite the heavy rains, the decorative rain gauge will retain its beauty. So, what more will you ask for?

All You Need To Know About Rain Gauges

Have you wondered about the amount of rain, snow or hail that reaches your home annually? Moreover, have you wondered how you can determine the amount of such weather phenomenon that reach the place where you live versus your relatives or friends' place from another country, state or city?

Why bother, you might ask. Nevertheless, if you happen to ever wonder about this, then you might want to get yourself a rain gauge and have fun with determining the weather phenomenon that we call the rain.

A rain gauge is important to study of liquid precipitation, which is manifested in the form of rain. Hydrologist and even meteorologists in order to analyze and determine the amount of precipitation within a certain period often use this instrument. Rain gauges have two parts in order to determine both data. It comprises a part to catch the precipitation and another part to measure the total amount of precipitation caught.

A rain gauge can be effective when it is placed on an isolated area - ideally without trees and buildings since the presence of these structures could affect the overall data that can be generated by the equipment. Factors such as hurricanes and storms with terrible winds are factors that can also affect and influence the accuracy of data that can be generated by the rain gauge.

There are several types of rain gauges. Each type of this equipment has specific pros and cons whenever they are utilized. Here are the three types of rain gauge:

1. The standard rain gauge - this type utilizes a graduated cylinder with attached funnel, placed on an ideally bigger container. The container is for holding the excess that could pour out from the graduated cylinder.

2. The weighing rain gauge - for this type, 3 materials are used - pen, rotating drum and storage bin. The precipitation being monitored is filled into the storage drum. Meanwhile, the drum's overall weight is recorded by the pen which is placed on the lower part of the storage bin.

The weighing rain gauge is capable of measuring the level or amount of chemicals that may be present in the atmosphere as the precipitation occurs. However, this type of rain gauge can be costly - making the instrument quite difficult to acquire. Still it is better than the tipping bucket rain gauge for it generates measurements that are far more accurate.

2. The tipping bucket rain gauge - this type uses several materials - big copper cylinder, funnel, two levers, pen and wheel for recording. The two levers are stabilized like a scale so that when a certain amount of the precipitation being measured is reached, it would tip over and signals the recorder. The pen makes upward or downward motions as it records the lever's movement, along with the precipitation's total amount. This type of rain gauge has been updated by utilizing a pivot and plastic container.

The rain gauge is not limited for use by hydrologists and meteorologist. News stations are also not the only ones with access to rain gauges. Anyone could buy a rain gauge to utilize for their own specific objectives.

Remember that achieving the purpose for acquiring such equipment is important, whatever type of rain gauge you choose to have. The objective of which is to have an accurate measurement of the precipitation amount on a given place and timeframe.

What Is A Rain Gauge?

You surely have been too curious why some of your neighbors have that cylindrical-looking object mounted either on their rooftops of in the middle of their yards. When it rains, that object somehow collects the rainwater. You see that your neighbors measure and record the data after a certain span of time. Well, that must be the rain gauge!

You can Experiment

As the term implies, the rain gauge is an instrument which aids in the collection of rainfall or precipitation data. It tells you how much rain you get over a period of time, say, for the entire year. Take note that this is a wonderful addition to your home especially if you want to compare the amount of rain that you get in your backyard as compared to your friend’s or cousin’s who live in another state or country. If this is your purpose, setting up the same instrument in your lawn will really give you the know-how.

Its Main Function 

Literally, the rain gauge is the device that is used by the professional weathermen, hydrologists and meteorologists; because it tells them how much rain a particular place gets at a specific period of time. Simply put, the device gauges the sum or level of liquid precipitation that falls in a certain location. Through the derived data, the weather stations are able to forecast how much rain the previous storm has brought over the last two days or so.

The Unit of Measurement

For the severe rains or storms, the amount of rainfall is often reported following the centimeters or inches units of measurement. This somehow depends on where you exactly live. However, under normal circumstances, the typical rain gauges measure the level of precipitation in millimeters.

Its Limitations 

The device also has its own limitations. Say for example, there is a hurricane or a crazy storm, then, certainly the accuracy of the data may fall short.

At any rate, the rain gauges should not be misconstrued to provide the pertinent information about the rainfall for the entire state or country. Remember that the device is supposed to be set up in a definite place. Thus, the weather stations get to report the totality of the rainwater that falls only in the place where they have grounded a rain gauge. The weathermen may put the device in a spot in the city which receives the most rainfall during the rainy days or in a place which gets the least amount of precipitation for the whole year round.

Other obvious factors that may hinder the accuracy of the data include the sleet or the freezing rain as well as the combination of the rain and snow. If any minute drop of rainwater freezes, then, most probably it will cause an inaccuracy in terms of the readings.

Purchasing Your Own Device

If you are up and about to find out how much rainfall you get in your own backyard, a rain gauge of your own will come in handy. You may not be really engrossed in studying the weather phenomenon but you simply want to feed your curiosity. By all means, purchasing the device will be of great help to you.

Even when you don’t work for any weather station, you can buy it from the market. There are various types so be sure that you do your own research about what kind of rain gauge you want to have in your backyard.