Quality Standards for Rain Intensity Measurements

A suitable qualification module for rain intensity measurement instruments is proposed based on an automatic procedure for dynamic calibration of traditional Tipping Bucket Raingauges (TBRs). Following an initial background of dedicated laboratory tests, which assisted in producing reference calibration curves for various types of commercial gauges from different manufacturing companies, the effects induced by systematic mechanical errors on the derivation of common statistics of rainfall extremes have been quantified. This research provides the needs and the requirements for the development of quality check procedures that can be easily shared among rain gauge manufacturers and implemented in view of the formulation of any suitable international standard. This would allow easy and accurate exchange of high quality precipitation data between organisations, e.g. in the framework of existing data exchange initiatives at the European and global scale.