 There are two basic types of rain gauge: manual and electronic. A manual rain gauge is a simple tube, closed on one end and calibrated in inches to show the amount of liquid. A manual rain gauge must be hand-emptied after each precipitation event in order to ensure correct measurements. An electronic rain gauge uses electronic sensors to determine liquid depth, and is often self-emptying. Weather stations such as those sold by RadioShack use electronic rain gauges that relay the measurement information to the base display.
Other forms of precipitation (such as sleet or snow) are also measured in inches by using a ruler to measure the depth on the ground. Ice (such as accumulates during freezing rain) is also measured in inches. However, RadioShack does not carry a weather station or sensor capable of making these latter two types of calculation. |
