An automatic precipitation gauge based on vibrating-wire strain gauges.

Abstract

The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, NGI, has recently developed and tested a new automatic precipitation gauge for rain and snow which can measure accumulated precipitation with a resolution better than 0.1 mm. The gauge, which is a direct weighing device, is based on the use of vibrating-wire strain gauges. NGI's prototype instrument has a capacity of up to 300 mm precipitation before the gauge must be emptied. A new improved version designed by Geonor has a capacity of 600 mm precipitation. A diagram showing the relationship between the automatic observations and the manual measurements is included.-from Authors