One of the evident consequences of climate change has been changes in precipitation patterns – some regions are receiving more rain and others less. Furthermore, the distribution of rain can change, with, for example, rainfalls becoming more concentrated and extreme and/or with the seasonal patterns evolving.
As an effort to both raise consciousness around these changes and to gather additional data, we are creating this rain observers network. While government and private weather stations dot the landscape, and satellite and radar imagery allow remote assessments, we do not have the fine-scale, on-the-ground data on rainfalls that this effort might help provide. We invite you to collaborate on this project. In part, we hope to compare your data with those of 19th century observers, who gathered rainfall data as part of a historical state-wide weather monitoring network. Such comparisons might let us better understand and become more conscious of our changing weather patterns
At this point this page is simply a repository for the instructions and data sheets. However, as we gather data, this will also become a portal for accessing that information.
Rain Gauge Observation Instructions
(here’s a printable .pdf version of these instructions)
We value your participation and understand you may not always be able to record rainfall consistently (see below instructions on missed recording). If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Anna Duhon (anna “at” hawthornevalleyfarm.org).
When to set up the rain gauge: Wait until the chance of freezing temperatures has passed, as these are glass rain gauges that could break if the water in them freezes.
Where to set up the rain gauge: If possible, choose a location that is free from nearby obstructions such as buildings or overhead branches that might interfere with accurate rain collection, while also ideally having protection on all sides from wind (the height of the protection should not be greater than twice its distance from the rain gauge). An ideal site, for example, would be a clearing surrounded by a windbreak of trees or vegetation. If an ideal site does not exist, please simply note whatever siting factors may be less-than-ideal when you record or share your observations.
How to set up the rain gauge: Gently push the metal spike at the bottom of the rain gauge into the ground, being sure to leave the measurement marks above ground so they can be easily read. It is important that the rain gauge is vertical and not tilting to one side or another.
When to observe and record rainfall: Rainfall should be recorded at least once on each day with rain (a day being defined as the 24 hour period beginning at midnight). Choose a convenient time, preferably in the late afternoon or evening, in which to record the rainfall measurement and empty the contents.
How to read the rain gauge: The Taylor Rain Gauge has graduated measurements on the sides (inches on the right), to the tenth of the inch. If the water is at an even marking, record that number as the rainfall (e.g. 2.1 inches). If the water is between markings, you can either round to the nearest tenth or estimate to the hundredth of the inch (for example, 2.25 inches if the water is half way between the 2.2 and 2.3 inch mark). Make sure to empty the gauge after every reading.
How to record rain gauge observations: Please use our observation sheet. This spreadsheet version can be downloaded and filled in on your computer or phone. This .pdf version is meant to be printed and filled in by hand.
Guidance on situations you may encounter:
Raining at time of measurement: If it is raining at the time that you record the measurement and empty the rain gauge, note this along with the approximate start time/date of the rainfall. For example, if the rain only began at 2pm and it is still raining when you make your 6pm measurement, then you would record a rain start time of 2pm today and that it is still raining.
Rain from previous day is in rain gauge: If you are recording a rain gauge measurement that includes rain from the previous day, then please note this along with the approximate start and end times (and accompanying dates) of the rain. For example, suppose you checked the gauge at 6pm yesterday, but then it began to rain around 9pm last night, stopping around midday. Today, at your 6pm measurement, you would record a rain start time of 9pm (date), an end time of noon (date), and that the measurement includes rain from the previous day.
Lots of rain: If you think the rain gauge may overflow or water may splash out, you can always make more than one measurement in a day, dumping the water out after each measurement, and recording a final sum of all the measurements for that day.
Missed recording: Please be sure to note any days in which you were unable to record a rainfall that occurred. If you miss a day or days, then record rainfall as soon as you’re able (the rain will be waiting for you in the gauge) and include notes on roughly when the recorded rainfall occurred if you know it. If you anticipate being away or find you are unable to record multiple days of rainfall within a month, it is fine to skip a month or note that not all the rainfall in the month was accurately captured.
How to share rain gauge observations: When you have completed a month of recording, please send us a copy of your observations. If you used the spreadsheet version, then please email it to us. If you filled in a printable .pdf version by hand, and then you can snail-mail it to us (Anna Duhon, 1075 Harlemville Rd., Ghent, NY 12075). You can also choose to record your observations in the Old Farmscape Almanac that we sent out for 2022, though in that case please note the additional information to include described in the “How to share rain gauge observations” section below. Snap shots of either the handwritten paper sheet or pages from our almanac are also gladly accepted via email.
If using the Old Farmscape Almanac monitoring pages to record rain gauge measurements, please also be sure to include the following information:
- Your Name
- Location of the rain gauge (address and description of siting, including any non-ideal siting factors)
- Latitude and Longitude of the rain gauge location (if you know it, otherwise address is sufficient)
- Time of each observation (can be noted in “Other Observations” column)
- Approximate start and end time of rain events that you were not able to accurately capture because they began after you recorded your measurement and/or spanned more than one day.
We may also occasionally reach out through email to request more immediate tallies of recent events that we can use to send out quick rainfall maps or comparisons. If we do not have your email address and you would like to be part of these email communications, please let us know by emailing Anna.
Thank you!
The Farmscape Ecology Program Team