Stratus Precision Rain Gauge – The Best Reasons To Buy
I was looking for a rain gauge, and I like the Stratus Precision Rain Gauge. 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 for a rain gauge that’s hassle-free and get’s 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.
Functional and Durable
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.
The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge is one of the most durable gauges you will find on the market. A funnel bucket-style gauge with no moving parts
Heavy-duty and thick, UV-resistant polycarbonate is what gives the Stratus Rain Gauge is longevity. There are no metal parts to rust.
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.
Accurate And Precise
The Stratus Rain Gauge is one of the most accurate measures of rainfall on the market. In addition, it uses a traditional funnel bucket style to ensure accuracy.
The concept is simple, constructed of an inner tube and a bigger outer bucket. The top lid is in the shape of a funnel.
There’s an inner tube of 4″ in diameter that measures exactly 1″ of water. Once the inner 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.
Excess rain of 1″ overflows in the outer bucket then needs to be poured into the inner tube for accurate measurements down to 1/100th of an inch.
However, to measure snow, remove both the inner tube and funnel cap.
Approved For CoCoRaHS Weather Reporting
If you happen to be 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 folks who volunteer to report weather observations in their local communities through an interactive website.
CoCoRaHS is open to anyone, and the observations allow educators, researchers, farms, and ranchers, to name just a few, access to weather data. Consequently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are principal sponsors of CoCoRaHS.
The organization’s heart is the volunteers using standardized equipment, and the Stratus Rain Gauge is the recommended gauge.
Pro and Cons for the Stratus Precision Rain Gauge
Pros
- Ease of use and maintenance
- Accuracy to 1/100th of an inch
- Durable
- Easy setup
- Meets CoCoRaHS Standards
- Affordable
Cons
- Tricky to measure bigger outer bucket
- Condensation buildup in humid area
- Must maually to remember to empty
Final Thoughts On The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge
The Stratus Precision Rain Gauge checks all the boxes regarding rainfall measurement.
Frankly, this was my first choice in rain gauges, and I have owned one for many years now. It’s highly accurate, and it’s why home weather enthusiasts 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, on occasion, make their way into the bottom of the funnel.
Measuring the overfill bucket is a little tricky but with practice gets better and routine once you get the hang of it, not a problem.
