A rain gauge (figure 4) is used to measure precipitation, in liquid (mainly rainfall) form, in millimetres.
The rain gauge consists of an outer cylinder which contains a funnel that directs water into a measuring cylinder. It is partially buried in the ground in an open space away from buildings or trees.
Outer cylinder partially buried
Key Words Rain gauge
Precipitation Millimetres
Climate graphs Cirrus
Cumulus Stratus
Okta Scale
Why do you think the rain gauge is buried away from buildings and trees?
The funnel directs water into a measuring cylinder. The cylinder is graduated (has markings on the side) to show precipitation levels in millimetres.
Funnel
Measuring cylinder
Overflow cylinder
4. A rain gauge
Rainfall on a Weather Map z„
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what type of gauge is used to measure precipitation that falls in the form of snow.
Rain on a weather map is displayed as different shades of blue.
The lighter the shade of blue, the less rainfall a particular area will experience. The darker the shade of blue, the more rainfall is expected.
The rain can be tracked as it moves across the country. This is done by comparing rainfall maps of the same area at different times of the day. This tells us when to expect rainfall later that day and during the week ahead. It also shows us the anticipated rainfall patterns and tells us from which direction the rain is expected to come.
