HOT PLATE PRECIPITATION MEASURING SYSTEM

摘要

A precipitation measuring system (100) comprising a top thermal plate (101) positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge (200) circumscribing t he top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate (102) is positioned under the top thermal plate (101) to protect it fr om falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor (114) is connected to the precipitation measuring system (100) to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top a nd bottom thermal plates (101-102). During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates (101-102) are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate (101-102) is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate (101) and the power consumption curve for the bottom therm al plate (102).