What Is a Pluviometer?

A pluviometer, udometer or rain gauge is a meteorological instrument used to measure the amount of liquid precipitation that has fallen at given a location over a given period of time. Essentially, it is a container that collects rainwater, but it can collect other types of precipitation. Snow, hail or sleet can collect, but it must melt to become liquid for an accurate measurement to be created.

The basic design of a pluviometer consists of a plastic or metal cylinder which placed outdoors so that precipitation can collect inside. The water collected is usually measured in millimeters, representing the height the water would reach if it were evenly distributed over a flat surface. This measurement is essential for understanding weather patterns, predicting floods and managing water resources. In addition, data from pluviometers are essential for climate change studies as they allow us to observe how the amount of rainfall varies in different areas and periods.

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A pluviometer serves a variety of purposes, primarily in the fields of meteorology, agriculture, water resource management and environmental research. The uses of pluviometers include:

• Meteorology and climate prediction: by measuring the amount of precipitation in a specific region, meteorologists can analyze rainfall patterns, identify wet and dry seasons, and make more accurate predictions about the weather.
• Agriculture: it is necessary for farmers to know how much rain has fallen, as this influences crop irrigation and plant growth.
• Water resource management: rainfall measurement helps authorities manage water resources such as rivers, reservoirs and aquifers. By having data on the amount of rainfall, it is possible to predict whether there will be enough water to supply during dry periods or whether preventive measures will be necessary in the event of flooding. Learn about the different types of aquifers in our related guide.
• Environmental research and climate change: data from rain gauges are also valuable for studying climate change, as they allow us to observe how the amount of rainfall varies over time in different places.

There are several types of pluviometer, each designed for different purposes and with different levels of accuracy. They include:

• Graduated bucket rain gauge: this is one of the simplest rain gauges and consists of a graduated cylinder, directly measures the volume of rainwater in millimeters with lines demarking the measurement. It is easy to use and is found in many weather stations and homes. Due to its simplicity, it does not usually have mechanisms to automatically measure or store data, so it requires direct observation and data recording.
• Tipping bucket rain gauge: also known as a seesaw or tipping bucket rain gauge, this pluviometer has two small buckets that swing like a scale. When one bucket is filled to a certain point, it drops and empties the water, while the other is positioned to receive more rain. Each tipping represents a specific amount of precipitation, which is recorded by a system of counters or sensors.
• Weighing rain gauge: this pluviometer uses a scale or weight sensor to measure the weight of water accumulated in a container. As precipitation falls, the weight of the container changes and each change is recorded electronically. This type of pluviometer is very accurate and can measure both rain and snow and hail, making it suitable for areas with varying rainfall.
• Surface tension or vibrating wire rain gauge: uses a vibrating wire sensor that measures the amount of rainwater by detecting changes in vibration caused by the accumulation of said water. When water falls on the wire, its vibration frequency changes, allowing the amount of precipitation to be calculated.
• Optical or laser rain gauge: these advanced pluviometers use laser or optical technology to measure precipitation. They detect water droplets as they pass through a laser beam, measuring their size and frequency. They are highly accurate and are commonly used in advanced climate research and in locations where high real-time accuracy is required, such as airports or weather research centers.

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The operation of a pluviometer depends on the specific type. Generally speaking, all rain gauges are designed to collect and measure the amount of water that falls as precipitation:

• Graduated bucket rain gauge: this works as a simple container. It is usually cylindrical in shape with graduated markings in millimeters. When it rains, water collects in the cylinder and the level reached can be read directly from the graduated markings. Each millimeter of water that accumulates in the rain gauge represents 1 litre of water per square metre in the area where it is installed.
• Tipping rain gauge: each bucket has a set water capacity. When one of the buckets is full, it tilts or turns to empty, while the other bucket is positioned to receive the next amount of precipitation. Each tipping of the buckets represents a known amount of rainfall and they are automatically recorded by a counter or sensor.
• Weighing rain gauge: the pluviometer uses a scale or weight sensor that measures the change in weight as rainwater collects in a container. Each change in the weight of the water is converted into a measurement of precipitation, which is recorded continuously and automatically.
• Optical or laser rain gauge: works by sending out a beam of light that detects raindrops when they break the beam. As the drops pass through the beam, the gauge measures their size and the frequency of their fall, calculating the amount of precipitation as it does so.
• Surface tension or vibrating wire rain gauge: this pluviometer uses a vibrating wire that changes frequency when water accumulates on it. The vibration frequency varies according to the amount of water deposited. This change is then interpreted by the gauge as a measure of precipitation.

Now that you know how a pluviometer measures rainfall, you may be interested in reading this article about what is torrential rain?

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