How to make a rain gauge for measuring rainfall
In my last post I described visiting Towneley hall and seeing Richard Towneley’s rain gauge which was built in the 1670s. Today we’ll be looking at building our own rain gauge…
Today rain gauges are used in weather stations all over the world every day. Burnley girl Pippa has made hers with a simple measuring jug from a kitchen store, a funnel from a hardware store and a plant pot from a garden centre. All of the parts can be decorated if you like.
The funnel is only 10.5 cm across about three times smaller than the one used by Richard Towenley.
Pippa checked that her small er rain gauge would work with her watering can.
You can find out more about recording the weather (science enquiry type – observing over time, working scientifically – observing closely, using simple equipment; gathering and recording data) in Ways into Science: Seasons page 10 and 11.
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