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For the Weather and Sustainability Enthusiast
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Best Home Weather Station

Stratus Precision Rain Gauge: Is It The Most Accurate?

JG Wall
5 Mins read

Last updated on July 29th, 2022 at 06:10 am

I was looking for a rain gauge and was told about the Stratus Precision Rain Gauge from some weather enthusiasts’ friends in my ham radio club. 

That was well over ten years ago, and the rain gauge is still going.

Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and whistles. You might be in the market hassle-free rain gauge and get the job done. Stratus Precision Rain Gauge is easy to read and accurate.

I also like that it comes with a solid mounting bracket with a way to connect quickly. The product is easy to set up and use, which has made my life easier!

Let’s explore in detail what the Stratus Precision Rain Gauge offers.

What to consider when choosing the Best Rain Gauge?

Before clicking on the Order Now button, give some thought to the following features:

Functional

As I mentioned above, simple is sometimes better—no hassling with lost Wifi connections or display updates. Frustrations have happened on more than a few occasions on my fancier personal weather stations.

If your needs are a top-end analog rain gauge, I think this rain gauge will more than be the ticket.

At the end of the day, you just want to know how much rain I got today.

Durable

The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge is one of the most durable gauges you will find on the market. A funnel bucket-style rain gauge with no moving parts

Heavy-duty and thick, UV-resistant polycarbonate gives the Stratus Rain Gauge longevity. There are no metal parts to rust.

Condensation build-up inside Rain Gauge.

Collection capacity

The inner tube measures 1 inch with 0.01-inch increments. The outer bucket’s overall rain collection capacity per event is 10 inches. This provides for a total of 11 inches of measurable rain.

Accuracy

The Stratus Rain Gauge is one of the most accurate to measure rainfall. In addition, it uses a traditional funnel bucket style to ensure accuracy.

The concept is simple, a funnel shape lid emptying into a bucket or catchment.

An inner tube of 4 inches in diameter measures precisely 1 inch of water. Once the inside tube fills, the water spills over into the larger bucket.

The outer bucket will hold up to 11″ of rain for those tropical locations with heavy rain events. By the way, with our climate changing, more significant rain events are becoming more common in unexpected places.

Meanwhile, as of this writing, a location in Tennesse received 17″ of rain, causing property loss and tragically killing 22 people.

Accurate measurements down to 1/100th of an inch.

However, to measure snow, remove both the tube and funnel cap.

Mounting

The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge has a mounting bracket for attaching to a fence, post, or deck rail.

The bracket is made of rigid UV-resistant ABS plastic and mounts in seconds. The rain bucket is slotted for a firm fit onto the bracket.

Our Favorite
Stratus Precision Rain Gauge with Mounting Bracket (14" All Weather)
Stratus Precision Rain Gauge with Mounting Bracket (14" All Weather)
4.7
Pros:
  • Ease of use and maintenance
  • Accuracy to 1/100th of an inch
  • Durable
  • Easy setup
  • Meets CoCoRaHS Standards
  • Affordable
  • Customer review
Cons:
  • Tricky to measure bigger outer bucket
  • Condensation buildup in a humid area
  • Must manually to remember to empty
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Approved For CoCoRaHS To Measure How Much Rain At Home

If you are into everything weather-related like I am, consider becoming a weather observer by recording your rain totals with CoCoRaHS.

The grassroots organization consists of everyday weather enthusiasts who volunteer to report weather station observations and rain gauges in their local communities through an interactive website.

CoCoRaHS is open to anyone, and the observations allow educators, researchers, farms, and ranchers, to name a few, access to weather rainfall data without the need for automatic weather stations. Consequently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are principal sponsors of CoCoRaHS. 

These observations are used by researchers and United States Weather Burea for data and verifications. This might be a comparable volunteer organization in the United Kingdom.

The organization’s heart is the volunteers using standardized equipment, and the Stratus Rain Gauge is the recommended accurate rain gauge.

Tip- After emptying the rain gauge, use a towel to dry the inside of the bucket. It will minimize fog or dew building on the inside of the cylinder. 

Stratus Precision Rain Gauge mounted on a fence post
Condensation buildup inside rain gauge.

Can I measure snowfall with my Stratus Rain Gauge?

First, remove the funnel and inner tube and let the snow fill the bucket. The measurement is taken from the melted snow. This method is listed on the National Weather Service website.

The Stratus Rain Gauge has a mounting bracket for attaching to a fence, post, or deck rail.

The bracket is made of tough UV-resistant ABS plastic and mounts in seconds.

Final Thoughts

The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge checks all the boxes regarding rainfall measurement plus snowfall measurement.

This was my first choice of rain gauges; I have owned one for many years. It’s accurate to measure rainfall amounts, and it’s why home official weather observers use it across North America.

I also own the self-emptying models but often compare totals with the Stratus Rain Gauge. They do vary from time to time. At my location, wind plays an important part.

Some things require attention when owning this type of rain gauge. For example, condensation build-up is a problem in more humid locations. It helps to wipe dry the inside after emptying. In addition, it’s also important to keep free of debris and bugs that occasionally make their way into the bottom of the funnel.

Measuring the overfill bucket is a little tricky, but with practice, it gets better; routine is not a problem once you get the hang of it.

FAQs

How do you read a Stratus rain gauge?

To read your Stratus rain gauge, simply look at the numbered scale on the tube and find the rainfall amount corresponding to the water height in the gauge. For example, if the water level is at .5 on the scale, that would mean you’ve measured .5 inches of rainfall.

How does a tipping bucket rain gauge work?

A tipping bucket general wireless rain gauge measures the weight of water that accumulates in the bucket. When the bucket becomes heavy enough, it tips over, emptying the water. This action triggers an electronic sensor for each tip, which sends a signal to a data logger. The data logger records the amount of rainfall and the time of day when the rain fell.

How accurate are glass tube rain gauges?

Funnel tube rain gauges are considered the most accurate type of rain gauge. They work by funneling rainwater into a thin glass tube, which then measures the height of the water column to calculate rainfall. It’s best to have a broader opening to catch water. The farm show giveaways are adequate but not also the most accurate.

What are the 3 types of rain gauges?

There are three types of rain gauges: the standard tube type, the tipping bucket type, and the optical type. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to know which one will work best for your needs.

Is the Status better than Digital Rain Gauges?

The answer depends on your preference and how much hands-on you can accept. The Status is better than Digital Rain Gauges in accuracy and is easy to read. Wireless rain gauges are more convenient, but you do give up accuracy.

analog rain gauge funnel bucket place to put rain gauge stratus rain gauge
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Written by

JG Wall

Jim is an avid weather enthusiast and Amateur Radio operator. Attends Skywarn Storm Spotter training conducted by the National Weather Service. Jim and his wife are committed to preserving open space for water quality and conservation. Essential for the environment and sustainability for future generations. He also enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and spending time with his family outdoors.

2 Comments
  1. Grady Willars

    February 23, 2022 9:54 am

    Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after going through some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely pleased I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

    1. JG Wall

      February 24, 2022 12:03 am

      Hi Grady,
      Thank you for visiting my blog. Check back with us for additional content. If you have a topic idea you would like covered drop me an email. /Jim

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