Since snow melts and settles, you may have to measure during or soon after snow ends in order to capture how much accumulated. Maybe you have a ruler in tenths like me, but many don't. We measure snowfall to the nearest 0.1 (one-tenth) inch. Snowfall is the maximum accumulation of fresh snow during the past day prior to melting or settling. You will have to measure more often than once daily under heavy snow conditions. When you're done, put the outer cylinder back outside, clean and dry, so it's ready to collect the next snow (During heavy snow (6" or greater) the cylinder will fill to the top and overflow with snow. Microwaving rain gauge samples is not recommended, but a careful person can do it successfully, or so I've been told. That way they don't have to add and subtract additional water. Some people have come up with creative ways to melt their snow in their microwave or by setting their gauge in a basin of warm water. 0.51" - Total warm water added to melt snow Then when I measured the total sample, it read 0.82" How much precipitation did I get? The answer should be 0.31"Ġ.82" - Total of melted snow with the added warm water For example, lets say I added 0.51" of warm water to the snow. Then I pour the water back into the inner tube and record the total amount. Then I add that warm water to the outer cylinder so that all the snow melts. ![]() What I do is take my inner calibrated cylinder and pour warm water into it and jot down the amount. In order to measure the water content of snow with this type of gauge, you will need to melt the contents and pour them back into the calibrated inner cylinder. If it has stopped snowing, you can bring it in earlier and just let the snow melt. With wet snows, a lot of snow can collect on the rim, so it makes a difference.īring the gauge inside at your time of observation. It may not be perfect, but at least it's objective. Whatever falls in is in, and whatever falls out is out. I just take a book, snow swatter, or flat object and push gently straight down on the top of the gauge. If snow collects on the rim of the gauge you have to decide what belongs in or out of the gauge. ![]() too) will collect in the 4" diameter outer cylinder (overflow cylinder). Measuring Precipitation-The Water Content of Snow Wooden decks are OK, but they should be at least 20-30 feet away from your house since your house will affect snow accumulation patterns. If not, that's OK, but you will need to identify a good representative location that is as flat and level as possible where snow accumulates uniformly and does not melt prematurely. They come in very handy for measuring snowfall. Y ou should have a snow board (a flat board, painted white, ideally about 16" x 16").
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