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Spherical gauges for improving the accuracy of rainfall measurements

Rain‐gauge catch efficiencies are affected by wind. Wind makes raindrops fall at an angle of inclination and the effective diameter of the rain gauge orifice smaller than if raindrops fall into the gauge vertically. Two spherical and two semi‐spherical orifices were designed to modify standard gauges and others in use today. The two spherical orifices catch rain with an effective diameter always equal to the actual diameter regardless of wind speed and direction. The semi‐spherical orifices, used side‐by‐side with a standard gauge, correct 50% of catch deficiencies made by the standard gauge. Tests based on 115 storms show that the four new gauges caught more rainfall than the standard gauge, with an average catch increase ranging from 8% to 16%. Compared with the pit gauge, average deficiency in catch ranged from −1% (spherical rain gauge orifice with cylinders) to 4%, whereas the deficiency for the standard gauge was −10%. Percentage deficiencies of the new gauges were positively affected by wind speed, raindrop inclination and rainfall intensity. Although the new gauges tended to underestimate the standard gauge in small storms (<0·25 cm) and overestimated the pit gauge under strong winds, their deviations are small. Underestimates for small storms could be improved by using gauge materials that reduce surface temperature, evaporation and water retention. The gauges are simple in design, easy to operate and inexpensive. In order to maintain a historically consistent set of rainfall data, a dual‐gauge (standard gauge + spherical gauge) is recommended for existing rainfall stations. The new rain gauge orifices are suitable for large‐scale applications. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.