Rain Gauge

To measure rainfall at ground, we use several measuring devices based on two different measuring principles. On the one hand, the measurement is done by means of a tipping bucket, which works well only if there is sufficient rainfall. In case of low precipitation, it may happen that the small amount does not cause a tip. The resolution of this principle is roughly at 0.1 mm. An alternative measuring principle is to use a drip device, producing drops of constant and known size. Counting the drops by a light-barrier provides directly the rain intensity. For weak and moderate precipitation, the second principle is more precise. In heavy precipitation, it suffers from an unstable drop sizes, and in worst case, individual drops are no longer distinguishable.


Here is a list of the rain gauges within KITcube:

 

Specification of the rain gauge of the energy balance station

Measuring principle: tipping bucket and droplet counter
Manufacturer: Thies CLIMA
Type: Ombrometer HP
Heating: no

 

 

 

Fig. 1: Rain gauge of an energy balance station during the DESERVE campaign at the Dead Sea, Israel.

 

 

 

Specification of the rain gauge of the cloud radar

Measuring principle: tipping bucket
Manufacturer: Environmental Measurements Limited
Type: ARG100
Heating: no

 

 

Fig. 2: Rain gauge of the cloud radar during the DESERVE campaign on the Dead Sea, Israel.

 

Specification of the rain gauge of the Mobile Meteorological Mast

Measuring principle: tipping bucket
Manufacturer: R.M. Young Company
Type: 52203
Heating: no