Measures Rain/Snow Fall Weather Instruments
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Rain and snow fall weather instruments are designed to measure the amount of liquid precipitation. These instruments, such as rain gauges and snow gauges, quantify rainfall and snowfall in units like millimeters, inches, or centimeters. They can be manually read or integrated into automatic weather stations for continuous data collection.
Working Principle
Rainfall is commonly measured using the tipping bucket method. In this system, a funnel collects rainwater and directs it into a two-sided cup balanced on a fulcrum. As one side fills, it tips, allowing the water to drain and exposing the other side to collect more rain. Each tip is counted by a reed switch, with each tip representing a specific quantity of rain, allowing for precise measurement. This method reduces errors associated with evaporation and overflow, which are common in traditional rain gauges. Snowfall is typically measured by gauges that capture and melt the snow to measure the equivalent liquid precipitation.
Applications
Rain and snow fall weather instruments are used in various applications, including meteorological research, agriculture, and hydrology. For instance, they are crucial in weather forecasting and climate studies, helping meteorologists predict weather patterns and assess climate change impacts. In agriculture, these instruments assist farmers in irrigation planning by providing accurate precipitation data. Hydrologists use them to monitor water resources and manage flood risks.
Limitations
One limitation of rain and snow fall weather instruments is their susceptibility to debris, which can affect accuracy. For example, leaves or dirt can block the funnel of a rain gauge, leading to incorrect readings. Additionally, the tipping bucket method may not accurately measure very light or very heavy rainfall, as light rain might not tip the bucket, and heavy rain can cause rapid tipping that leads to underestimation.
Considerations
When selecting rain and snow fall weather instruments, several factors should be considered. Initial costs can vary depending on the complexity and accuracy of the instrument. Operating expenses are generally low, but maintenance is crucial to ensure accuracy, such as regular cleaning to prevent debris accumulation. Durability is important, especially in harsh weather conditions, and instruments should be robust enough to withstand environmental factors. Accuracy is a key consideration, as precise measurements are essential for reliable data. Replacement and maintenance costs should also be factored in, as parts like reed switches in tipping bucket systems may need periodic replacement.
from RS Components, Ltd.
This wireless weather station provides all the important weather data you need, displayed on a clear LCD console. ,This weather station is ideal for those who do not want to get into PC connectivity. At a glance you will see the forecast time, wind speed and direction, indoor & outdoor temperature &... [See More]
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Maximum Measuring Height: 394
- Velocity Range Measured: 125
- Temperature Range Measured: 158
from RS Components, Ltd.
The WMR300 collects records and automatically uploads accurate and detailed weather data for ease of access in tracking mid-term to long-term weather patterns. Recording interval settings can be customised. This allows users to capture and store information via the data logger at selected intervals. [See More]
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Velocity Range Measured: 179
- Temperature Range Measured: 140
from PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
Combined weather sensor: wind speed and direction (no moving parts), temperature, humidity, pressure, rainfall (requires CBL167 or CBL229 cable + DVX008A) [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
from LufftUSA
WS700-UMB Compact Weather Station for measuring of air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation intensity, precipitation type, precipitation quantity, air pressure, wind direction, wind Speed and radiation. Relative humidity is measured by means of a capacitive sensor element; a precision NTC... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Velocity Range Measured: 0.0 to 168
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures solar Radiation; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Accuracy of Velocity: 3
from OTT Hydromet
This professional Rain Gauge is a superb product for all kinds of applications: from hydrology to meteorology, from agriculture to industrial monitoring - this device is fit for nearly everything. Benefits. Optimal materials. For the construction of this rain gauge only the best materials were used:... [See More]
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
from Meter Group
Account for environmental variables with simple, accurate, plug-and-log sensors. Measure weather data where you are, not 5 miles away at the Met tower, so you can measure environmental variation on an ecologically relevant scale. [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Wind Instrument Type: Cup; Vane
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures solar Radiation; Measures Temperature; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Rain / Snow Collector Type: Tip Bucket
from Campbell Scientific, Inc.
The TB4 rain gage is manufactured by Hydrological Services Pty. Ltd. Rain funnels into a tipping bucket mechanism that tips when 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) of rain has been collected. Each tip is marked by a dual reed switch closure that is recorded by a Campbell Scientific datalogger pulse count... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 2
from Vaisala
A complete communication and data monitoring solution, including sensor, electronics, mast, and power supply – everything you need to start collecting accurate and reliable weather measurements. Features • WMO-compliant sensors for validated data • Easy remote... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Maximum Gust Survivability: 168
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Weight: 66.15
from RainWise, Inc.
Anodized Aluminum Rain Gauge. The RainWise model RGA industrial tipping bucket rain gauge is constructed from anodized aluminum and stainless steel to provide years of precision recording of rainfall data. The tipping bucket is molded from a specially-formulated plastic that has a very low surface... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Accuracy: 0.5000
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Rain / Snow Collector Type: Tip Bucket
from Airmar Technology Corporation
Rain Sensor with Solar-radiation Shield. Airmar ’s WeatherStation WXRS provides real-time information on rain intensity, accumulation, and event duration. An acoustic sensor measures the impact energy of individual raindrops on the “umbrella ” located on the top of the instrument. [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Velocity Range Measured: 0.0 to 89.48
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure
- Resolution of Velocity: 0.2237
from PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
NMS045 meteorological sensor with ultrasonic wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure & rainfall. Includes CBL229-20, DVX008A and ADP101 for installation on TRP019. [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
from LufftUSA
Description: Country version: EU, USA and Canada. Supplementary description: The speed rate of drops is registered with a 24 GHz doppler radar system. By comparison between the speed rate and the size of drops, the quantity of rain or its intensity will be registered. The road condition... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Rain / Snow Collector Type: Other Rain
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Mounting Type: Pole-mounted (Typically via clamps)
from OTT Hydromet
The smart radar rain sensor & present weather detector! The Lufft WS100 is our rain sensor with radar technology and adjustable heating. Using a 24-GHz Doppler radar, it measures the speed of all forms of condensed water. These include rain, freezing rain, hail, snow and sleet. The low-energy... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Velocity Range Measured: 168
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Operating Temp: -40 to 140
from Campbell Scientific, Inc.
The CS700 rain gage is manufactured by Hydrological Services. Rain funnels into a tipping bucket mechanism that tips when 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) of rain has been collected. Each tip is marked by a dual reed switch closure that is recorded by a Campbell Scientific datalogger pulse count channel. After... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 2
from Vaisala
Portable AWS for temporary installations. The Vaisala HydroMet ™ Automatic Weather Station MAWS201 is a portable AWS for temporary installations, featuring the same design as the Vaisala TacMet Tactical Meteorological Observation System MAWS201M for demanding tactical meteorological... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Height: 16.54
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Weight: 33.08
from RainWise, Inc.
Display Console and Data Logger. The WeatherLog ® System 12 Control/Display Console was developed to meet those applications which require a large number of sensors and/or a number of extra display parameters, such as averaging, daily records, etc. Product Features. The System 12 has two serial... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Velocity Range Measured: 0.0 to 150
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures %Water or %Moisture Content; Measures Dew Point
- Resolution of Velocity: 1
from LufftUSA
Rain Gauge with bounce-free reed contact (normally closed) [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Accuracy: 2
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Rain / Snow Collector Type: Tip Bucket
from OTT Hydromet
The OTT Parsivel ² is a modern laser disdrometer for comprehensive measurement of all precipitation types. The Parsivel ² captures both the size and speed of falling particles, classifying them into one of 32 separate size and velocity classes. The raw data are used to calculate the type,... [See More]
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Measurement Increment: 0.0080 to 0.3150
- Velocity Range Measured: 0.4432 to 44.73
from Campbell Scientific, Inc.
Met One's Model 385 provides year-round measurement of rain or snow. It features a 12-inch diameter orifice that funnels precipitation into the tipping bucket assembly. When the tipping bucket fills, it tips and activates a reed switch. The switch closure is recorded by the datalogger, which is... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 2
from Vaisala
Designed specially for critical maritime weather applications. An automatic weather station designed for maritime environments such as ports, ships, and offshore platforms. The system is designed to withstand the salty and wet conditions that prevail aboard ships and platforms as well as the... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor System
- Height: 23.62
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity; Measures Dew Point
- Weight: 88.2
from RainWise, Inc.
Heated Precipitation Sensor. The RainWise model PG/H industrial tipping bucket precipitation gauge is constructed from anodized aluminum and stainless steel to provide years of precision recording of any type of precipitation. Product Features. The tipping bucket is molded from a... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 0.5000
from LufftUSA
Description: Country version: EU, USA and Canada. Supplementary description: WS400-UMB Smart Weather Sensor for measuring of air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation intensity, precipitation type, precipitation quantity and air pressure. Relative humidity is measured by means of a... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Rain / Snow Collector Type: Other Rain
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity
- Temperature Range Measured: -58 to 140
from OTT Hydromet
The OTT Pluvio ² L is an all-weather precipitation gauge that uses superior weight-based technology to measure the amount and intensity of rain, snow, and hail. Developed in conjunction with industry-leading meteorological services, the OTT Pluvio ² L employs a high-precision load cell and... [See More]
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Measurement Increment: 0.0 to 2
from Campbell Scientific, Inc.
The TE525 tipping bucket rain gage is manufactured by Texas Electronics. The TE525 measures in 0.01 inch increments. Precipitation is funneled into a bucket mechanism that tips when filled to a calibrated level. A magnet attached to the tipping mechanism actuates a switch as the bucket tips. The... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 1
from Vaisala
An economical and accurate rain gauge made of plastic material which is highly resistant to UV-radiation and even frost proof. [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
from RainWise, Inc.
Polypropylene Rain Gauge. The RainWise model RGP industrial tipping bucket rain gauge is constructed to provide accurate recording of rainfall data at a reasonable price. The 8 ” diameter collector meets NWS specifications for statistical accuracy. Product Features. The tipping bucket causes a... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 1.5
from LufftUSA
Compact, reliable and cost-efficient - Accurate measurement of snow depth / snow height based on an opto-electronic distance sensor / laser rangefinder technology. Compact, reliable and cost-efficient. The SHM 30 snow depth sensor reliably determines snow depths up to 10 meter within seconds and... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0 to 394
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Maximum Measuring Height: 394
from OTT Hydromet
The OTT Pluvio ² L is an all-weather precipitation gauge that uses superior weight-based technology to measure the amount and intensity of rain, snow, and hail. Developed in conjunction with industry-leading meteorological services, the OTT Pluvio ² L employs a high-precision load cell and... [See More]
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Measurement Increment: 0.0 to 2
from Campbell Scientific, Inc.
The TE525-series tipping bucket rain gages are manufactured by Texas Electronics. The TE525WS measures in 0.01 inch increments. The gage funnels precipitation into a bucket mechanism that tips when filled to a calibrated level. A magnet attached to the tipping mechanism actuates a switch as the... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Measurement Increment: 0.0100
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 1
from Vaisala
For visibility measurement and precipitation type detection. Present weather detector and visibility sensor, you will find the mix you require of visibility measurement range, characterization of reduced visibility, precipitation type identification and many more. Features •... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Maximum Measuring Height: 39.33
- Weather Component Sensed: Measures Rain/Snow Fall
- Accuracy: 15
from RainWise, Inc.
Portable Weather Station. The PortLog is a compact rugged industrial grade data logging weather station. The unit is fully assembled and can be quickly deployed. The large 3-Watt solar panel and 4AH sealed lead acid battery ensure reliable operation in the harshest conditions. Product Features. The... [See More]
- Device Classification: Sensor Only
- Velocity Range Measured: 0.0 to 150
- Weather Component Sensed: Senses Wind Speed; Senses Wind Direction; Measures Rain/Snow Fall; Measures Temperature; Measures Barometric Pressure; Measures % Relative Humidity; Measures Dew Point
- Resolution of Velocity: 1