University of Mindanao College of Engineering Education Civil Engineering Program Matina, Davao City, Philippines In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Subject CEE 313 (1580) – Hydrology Submitted by: Estandarte, Arla Jane M. Submitted to: Engr. Abo Yasser Manalindo September 2, 2023 INSTRUMENTS IN MEASURING PRECIPITATION I. Introduction Precipitation measurement is critical for understanding weather patterns, water resources, and climate. Various equipment has been created to properly measure various types of precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail. In Davao City, the annual rainfall based on climatological data of the region ranges from 1,673.3 mm to 1,941.8mm. The average temperature in the region ranges from 28°C to 29°C. This data has been measured with the use of various instruments of measuring precipitation such as rain gauge, ground-based weather radar and earth-observing satellites. II. Objectives: To identify different types of instruments in measuring precipitation. To know how each instruments work. To be able to know what the importance of these instruments are. III. Instruments of Precipitation Rain Gauge Rain gauge is one of the instruments that measures the amount of precipitation. This instrument can measure precipitation in a specific area over a period of time. The units being used are either depth in millimeters or inches, depending on what country you are located in. It is also known in various names such as udometer, pluviametior, pluviometer, and hyetometer. Parts of this instrument consist of funnel, container, and graduated markings. Types of Rain Gauges: 1. Standard Rain Gauges - collects falling rainwater in a funnel-shaped collector connected to a measuring tube. 2. Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge - uses the tipping bucket principle to monitor rainfall changes in real-time. 3. Optical Rain Gauge - based on the principle of photoelectric detection, mainly used to measure rainfall. Ground-based Weather Radar Also known as Doppler weather radar is an instrument that sends pulses of electromagnetic energy into the atmosphere to find precipitation, determine its motion and intensity, and identify the precipitation type such as rain, snow or hail. How does a weather radar work? Weather radar utilizes either a solid-state or tube transmitter to send energy pulses (also known as radar beams) into the air to detect precipitation. This focused beam radiates outward from an antenna (also known as a radar dish). If the radar beam bounces off precipitation such as rain or hail, the beam will return to the weather disk, where the data is processed into various parameters. This enables a meteorologist to analyze and interpret the type of weather occurring dozens of kilometers away from the radar. Earth-observing Satellites Also known as Earth remote sensing satellite is a satellite used or designed for Earth observation (EO) from orbit, including spy satellites and similar one intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, cartography and others. How do earth-observing satellites work? Earth-observing satellites can provide frequent estimates of precipitation at a global scale. Gathered data are extremely useful for filling in data gaps that exist between rain gauge and ground-based radar sites and offer insights into when, where, and how much precipitation is falling worldwide. Satellite data also provides a unique vantage point. It collects imagery and measurements of the surface of the earth. These satellites are used to monitor short-term weather, long-term climate change, and natural disasters. Satellite instruments estimate the amount of electromagnetic radiation or energy that is emitted or reflected either from the top of the clouds or from the rain droplets themselves, providing a top-down view. IV. Conclusion Instruments used for measuring precipitation include rain gauges, snow gauges, radar systems, weather satellites, and more. These instruments provide data that contributes to our understanding of the Earth's climate, weather patterns, and water resources, ultimately benefiting various aspects of society and the environment. In instance, engineers and city planners use precipitation data to design and maintain stormwater drainage systems, reducing the risk of urban flooding and infrastructure damage. Furthermore, accurate precipitation measurements are essential for making informed decisions that can save lives, protect property, and promote sustainable development.
