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Weighing precipitation gauge in the mountains — The Apogee Cloudburst weighing precipitation gauge measures total precipitation from rain, snow, sleet, and hail with an algorithm to correct for temperature, evaporation, and vibration.

The SG-400 series models are available in SDI-12 outputs, with Modbus options planned for the future. Inlet options include heated or unheated, as well as 8-inch (900 mm / 35 inches capacity) or 200 cm² (1500 mm / 59 inches capacity) openings to meet WMO and NWS recommendations.

Weighing Precipitation Gauges

The principle of weighing precipitation gauges is the measurement of weight of accumulated water via a sensitive weighing platform. A major advantage of weighing precipitation gauges is the ability to measure total precipitation--liquid or frozen--without the large power requirement of a heated inlet. However, weighing precipitation gauges can be fitted with a heated inlet to prevent snow from bridging/capping over the inlet.

Inlet Options

SG-400: 8-inch diameter / 324 cm² area
(National Weather Service); no heater
SG-410: 8-inch diameter / 324 cm² area
(National Weather Service); heater
SG-420: 6.3-inch diameter / 200 cm² area
(World Meteorological Organization); no heater
SG-430: 6.3-inch diameter / 200 cm² area
(World Meteorological Organization); heater

Data Collection

Apogee Instruments SG-400 series total precipitation gauges are all-weather weighing gauges with no moving parts. They use a high accuracy load cell to measure weight of water collected in a bucket mounted on the cell. Analog to digital circuitry is used to convert the signal from the load cell to an SDI-12 output. A filtering algorithm is used to minimize the influence of evaporation, vibration (from wind), and temperature change on the precipitation signal.

Rugged Design

Apogee SG-400 series precipitation gauges come partially assembled, facilitating easy transport and deployment. The gauge is housed in a lightweight, durable plastic shroud, with a powder-coated aluminum inlet. Component parts include base plate, weighing assembly, collection bucket, and shroud/inlet.

Mounting

Unit can be mounted to a wood post or metal pipe. Apogee recommends securing the post or pipe in a hole of at least 18 in/45 cm depth with cement. To provide accurate measurements, ensure the Cloudburst is level.

Typical Applications

These gauges are most commonly used for precipitation monitoring in weather networks or water balance studies. Precipitation is often the limiting factor to plant growth, and as a result, influences forest and crop productivity. Precipitation data are required for estimating availability of water resources, forecasting floods, and monitoring droughts. Weighing precipitation gauges are becoming more widely used because of the advantages over tipping bucket gauges, particularly in regions with mixed or solid precipitation.

Calibration

To ensure accuracy, the load cells are calibrated to mass using a set of reference weights in the laboratory. Mass of each reference weight is determined by a mass balance that is calibrated with a 10 kg Class 6 weight.

Weighing vs Tipping Gauges

Tipping bucket gauges can be used to measure solid precipitation, but they require a heated funnel to melt the snow, and supplying power for the heater is often difficult or impossible at many field sites. Weighing gauges can measure solid precipitation without the need for heating, although we offer heated inlet options to prevent snow capping. In addition to being preferred for hail and snowfall, weighing gauges are more accurate for measuring all forms of precipitation, particularly at high rates. Weighing gauges can also measure smaller amounts of precipitation. Weighing gauges are more sensitive than tipping gauges, and events as low as 0.025 to 0.05 mm can be detected. Weighing gauges are becoming more widely used because of their advantages over tipping bucket gauges, particularly in regions with mixed or solid precipitation.
To learn more about the differences between these gauges, view our article about the Cloudburst in the Meteorological Technology International magazine.

Warranty and Support

All Apogee products are backed by an industry-leading four year warranty and outstanding customer support.

Specifications
Learn More

Manuals
Learn More

Spec Sheets
Learn More

Precipitation gauge in the mountains — The Apogee Cloudburst weighing precipitation gauge measures total precipitation from rain, snow, sleet, and hail with an algorithm to correct for temperature, evaporation, and vibration.

The SG-400 series models are available in SDI-12 outputs, with Modbus options planned for the future. Inlet options include heated or unheated, as well as 8-inch (900 mm / 35 inches capacity) or 200 cm² (1500 mm / 59 inches capacity) openings to meet WMO and NWS recommendations.

Weighing Precipitation Gauges

The principle of weighing precipitation gauges is the measurement of weight of accumulated water via a sensitive weighing platform. A major advantage of weighing precipitation gauges is the ability to measure total precipitation--liquid or frozen--without the large power requirement of a heated inlet. However, weighing precipitation gauges can be fitted with a heated inlet to prevent snow from bridging/capping over the inlet.

Inlet Options

SG-400: 8-inch diameter / 324 cm² area
(National Weather Service); no heater
SG-410: 8-inch diameter / 324 cm² area
(National Weather Service); heater
SG-420: 6.3-inch diameter / 200 cm² area
(World Meteorological Organization); no heater
SG-430: 6.3-inch diameter / 200 cm² area
(World Meteorological Organization); heater

Data Collection

Apogee Instruments SG-400 series total precipitation gauges are all-weather weighing gauges with no moving parts. They use a high accuracy load cell to measure weight of water collected in a bucket mounted on the cell. Analog to digital circuitry is used to convert the signal from the load cell to an SDI-12 output. A filtering algorithm is used to minimize the influence of evaporation, vibration (from wind), and temperature change on the precipitation signal.

Rugged Design

Apogee SG-400 series precipitation gauges come partially assembled, facilitating easy transport and deployment. The gauge is housed in a lightweight, durable plastic shroud, with a powder-coated aluminum inlet. Component parts include base plate, weighing assembly, collection bucket, and shroud/inlet.

Mounting

Unit can be mounted to a wood post or metal pipe. Apogee recommends securing the post or pipe in a hole of at least 18 in/45 cm depth with cement. To provide accurate measurements, ensure the Cloudburst is level.

Typical Applications

These gauges are most commonly used for precipitation monitoring in weather networks or water balance studies. Precipitation is often the limiting factor to plant growth, and as a result, influences forest and crop productivity. Precipitation data are required for estimating availability of water resources, forecasting floods, and monitoring droughts. Weighing precipitation gauges are becoming more widely used because of the advantages over tipping bucket gauges, particularly in regions with mixed or solid precipitation.

Calibration

To ensure accuracy, the load cells are calibrated to mass using a set of reference weights in the laboratory. Mass of each reference weight is determined by a mass balance that is calibrated with a 10 kg Class 6 weight.

Weighing vs Tipping Gauges

Tipping bucket gauges can be used to measure solid precipitation, but they require a heated funnel to melt the snow, and supplying power for the heater is often difficult or impossible at many field sites. Weighing gauges can measure solid precipitation without the need for heating, although we offer heated inlet options to prevent snow capping. In addition to being preferred for hail and snowfall, weighing gauges are more accurate for measuring all forms of precipitation, particularly at high rates. Weighing gauges can also measure smaller amounts of precipitation. Weighing gauges are more sensitive than tipping gauges, and events as low as 0.025 to 0.05 mm can be detected. Weighing gauges are becoming more widely used because of their advantages over tipping bucket gauges, particularly in regions with mixed or solid precipitation.
To learn more about the differences between these gauges, view our article about the Cloudburst in the Meteorological Technology International magazine.

Warranty and Support

All Apogee products are backed by an industry-leading four year warranty and outstanding customer support.

Specifications
Learn More

Manuals
Learn More

Spec Sheets
Learn More

Cloudburst Weighing Precipitation Gauge Support

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Cloudburst Weighing Precipitation Gauge

The SG-400 series models are available in SDI-12 outputs, with Modbus options planned for the future. Inlet options include heated or unheated, as well as 8-inch (900 mm / 35 inches capacity) or 200 cm2 (1500 mm / 59 inches capacity) openings to meet WMO and NWS recommendations.

Specifications

Manuals

Spec Sheets

The SG-400 series models are available in SDI-12 outputs, with Modbus options planned for the future. Inlet options include heated or unheated, as well as 8-inch (900 mm / 35 inches capacity) or 200 cm² (1500 mm / 59 inches capacity) openings to meet WMO and NWS recommendations.