Comparison between standard and small orifice raingages

The standard gage used for precipitation measurements by the U.S. Weather Bureau has a catch diameter of eight inches. In the past several years numerous small orifice gages have appeared on the market. These are much cheaper than the standard gage, and installation and maintenance are simple. Therefore, it would be advantageous to use them where recording gages are not required and where exceptionally large capacity is not needed, if their collection efficiency approaches that of the standard eight‐inch gage. Dense networks desirable for various hydrological and agricultural research projects could be installed where cost of standard gage networks are presently prohibitive for this purpose.