The end of January has brought an active pattern, with several rounds of rain and storms. Area rainfall totals have been very important as we try to combat the drought. We’ve received multiple pictures on KSAT Connect over the last few days, with some asking about the best place to install a rain gauge for accuracy.
There are several factors to think about when setting up a rain gauge in your backyard, so let’s chat about it:
Nearby Obstructions
First things first: You want to choose an overall location that is free from any nearby obstructions that could interfere with how the rain enters the gauge, and also make sure that the gauge is protected from strong winds.
A gauge that is placed close to a tree, roof, or a nearby structure could record inaccurate measurements during times of heavy rain.
Consider mounting your gauge twice the distance away from an obstruction as it is tall. For example, if an obstruction is 10 feet high, mount the gauge 20 feet away from that obstruction.
Height Above the Ground
How high the gauge is positioned above the ground is also an important factor. A good rule to follow is to make sure that your gauge is mounted 2 to 5 feet above the ground.
This will make sure that water doesn’t splash off of the ground and then fall into the rain gauge, skewing the measurements.
Leveling
You’ll also want to make sure that your gauge is level.
After initially leveling out the rain gauge upon installation, it’s also best to check in on it over time as gusty winds can sometimes tip the gauge over, giving you inaccurate readings.
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