Precipitation Measurement with Automated Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauges

Yu. B. Pavlyukov

Results of measurement of rainfall intensity and accumulated amounts with an automated tipping-bucket rain gauge based on an updated DZhO M96-8 precipitation gauge are presented. The measurement were carried out in the town of Dolgoprudny (Moscow region) in 2002–2005. The design, data processing algorithm, and calibration of the tipping-bucket rain gauge are described, and estimates of the measurement error are calculated. Examples of tipping-bucket rain gauge measurements in shower and widespread precipitation are given, along with results of analysis of the statistical structure of precipitation by intensity gradations. The measurement results are compared with those of precipitation gauges, the P-2 recording rain gauge, and the AKSOPRI radar complex.