Measuring Precipitation - Making my Rain Gauges

Completed Rain Gauges

Who'd have thought I'd ever be so happy to see rain? 

Yesterday, my rain gauges were finally dry and ready to be placed outside so that I can begin collecting data. Over the next two weeks I will measure the daily precipitation in both bottles (the one with a funnel should have less evaporation and therefore higher amounts of precipitation should be present) after each week I will calculate the mean daily precipitation from my results. 

If  you would like to make your own rain gauges and calculate the mean daily precipitation in your local area, it's pretty simple! All you need is two collecting vessels, these must have straight sides and a flat bottom area; for one of the collecting vessels you will need a funnel, so plastic bottles are ideal. 

However, plastic pop bottles do not have a flat bottom so some DIY is necessary. 

To make my rain gauges:

• I cut off the top of two bottles, keeping one for my funnel for gauge 2.
•  I then used Play-Doh (£2.15 for 4 tubs) to press into the bottom of the bottles to level the area.
• I left the bottles next to a radiator for a few hours to harder the Play-Doh
• To make the bottom of my containers watertight, I painted a layer of varnish over the top of the top of the Play-Doh and left to dry. 

Over the next few weeks I will update you on my findings of precipitation in my local area (Although knowing my luck, it won't rain!).