Last updated on September 20th, 2023 at 06:44 pm
It’s no secret that rain can come down quickly or at times not at all, which is why it’s important to have a
I’ve been measuring rainfall here on my property since 2002 to get the best handle on wet and dry conditions. Sometimes it’s difficult to place a
Getting accurate measurements from your
Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of location it’s important to mention the benefits of having a
Benefits Of Owning A Rain Gauge
For a start, a
Both can be detrimental to the overall health and yield. Nothing can replace having exact rainfall totals at your location to make those determinations.
The official government weather instruments may be miles from your home and do not help you when it’s time to turn on sprinklers.
How many times has it poured at your office or school only to find that it did not rain at all when you returned home.
Factors To Consider For Locating The Best Place to Put a Rain Gauge
- Type of Rain Gauges
- Distance Off The Ground
- Away From Obstructions
- The
Rain Gauge Stays Level
Let’s dig deeper into these factors.
Types of Home Rain Gauges
Analog Gauges
Each type of rain gauge collects rainfall data in a slightly different way. The two most common types of accurate reading are,
1) The standard analog
The funnel is usually made of glass or plastic, with a tapered design that allows for the gradual expansion of the funnel as it fills with more and more rain.
This funnel is connected to a graduated cylinder, and as the water collects, it rises in the cylinder, allowing you to measure precipitation.
This can be a very accurate
Wireless Digital Rain Gauges
The wireless rain gauges are more set and forget it, they collect rain in a self-emptying bucket, once it starts to collect data it transmits information to a unit inside the home. They may provide ease of use as well as historical records stored in an app. This is handy for spotting trends.
Home solar powered weather stations are more affordable and most include wireless rain gauges.
Distance Off The Ground
One of the first things to consider when mounting your
When mounting the weather station above the ground, you should pay particular attention that it will not tip over in high wind speed conditions.
A couple of methods for mounting a
The first method of installing a pipe is to secure it in concrete so that a strong wind cannot tip the
Often fence or deck post is more than adequate so long it’s in an open space, which will get into that shortly.
Stay Away from Obstructions
When deciding on a location, the next critical aspect is to put your gauge so that it’s free from obstructions.
Mounting too close to objects such as your roof, trees, or buildings can cause inaccurate readings from your
Any obstacles that can cause water from entering the
Also, consider the future growth of trees or shrubberies that might not be obstructing now but might be after developing tree limbs in the future.
The ideal location would be at a corner of your garden, deck, or yard that is free from excessive wind and any obstacles that might interfere with a collection of rainwater.
The Rain Gauge Stays Level
Another aspect of installing your
In both the funnel and the tipping bucket collection, it will give you inaccurate readings if it is not level.
Periodically it would be best to put a level on your
In my first collection location, I discovered that it was pretty windy, so consequently, over time, it was causing my
I started noticing collection totals dropping until I discovered the problem. Now every so often, I will go and make sure that it’s correct.
Conclusion
In this article, we have outlined the best place for a
1) standard analog rain gauge.
2) wireless rain gauges.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. If using an analog
Having a properly functioning gauge gives you more information at your location rather than relying on government weather instruments miles away.
Other considerations for mounting your
FAQ
What’s the best time of day to record rainfall?
With logging how much precipitation you receive each day, it’s best to keep a routine and measure rainfall at the same time each day as a general rule.
How to use a rain gauge in keeping track of sprinkler output?
Special rain gauges can be purchased that mount portably at ground level.
When irrigating, you can measure how much water you’re putting on your lawn. This helps to accurately measure so that you do not overwater or underwater your property. Knowing how much rain is helping from potentially not watering at all to save water resources.
Why should a rain gauge be placed slightly above the ground?
The recommended height is 2-5 feet above the ground. This is to avoid rain from splashing up and giving an inaccurate measurement of precipitation into the rain gauge.