Last updated on February 3rd, 2023 at 07:25 am
I was looking for a
That was well over ten years ago, and the
Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and whistles. You might be in the market hassle-free
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
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
At the end of the day, you just want to know how much rain I got today.
Durable
The Stratus Precision
Heavy-duty and thick, UV-resistant polycarbonate gives the Stratus
Condensation build-up inside
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
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
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.
- Ease of use and maintenance
- Accuracy to 1/100th of an inch
- Durable-Frost Resistant
- Easy setup
- Meets CoCoRaHS Standards
- Affordable
- Customer review
- Tricky to measure bigger outer bucket
- Condensation buildup in a humid area
- Must manually to remember to empty
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
Tip- After emptying the
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
The bracket is made of tough UV-resistant ABS plastic and mounts in seconds.
Final Thoughts
The Stratus Precision
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
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.
