Error sources of precipitation measurements using electronic weight systems

Liquid precipitation amounts below 0.05 mm in combination with intervals of measurement greater than 3 min and temperature above 15 °C can considerably affect the measured precipitation using electronic weighing gauges. This was shown by tests using different weights put in the gauge in different intervals in order to simulate different precipitation amounts and measuring intervals. These results were confirmed by field intercomparison measurements using pit gauges in two locations in Slovakia. In total, 1571 weight tests consisting of combinations of simulated precipitation amounts of 0.025, 0.05, 0.2 mm and measuring intervals of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 min were carried out. Based on these tests and special software, a new gauge was developed. Using this gauge, the abovementioned error sources were minimized. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute now uses it at 90 gauge sites. This type of gauge was selected to participate in the current World Meteorological Organization, WMO, Intercomparison measurements of recording precipitation gauges.