Evaluation of Dual Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauges Measurement in Arid Region Western Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In this study, a dual tipping-bucket (TB) rain gauge station is installed in an arid region in western Saudi Arabia. The size of the gauge collector was the only difference between the two installed rain gauges. Records of both gauges for the period 2006–2013 are collected, analyzed and compared, focusing on characteristics of rainfall events as well as rainfall temporal variability. The two gages recorded almost the same total rainfall depth but significantly different mean storm depth values. For the large storms, both gauges recorded the same mean storm depth. However, significantly variable values throughout the storm duration are observed. The TB gauge with the larger funnel size (TEMM) has the advantage of recoding more storms with depth less than 1 mm though it underestimates the depth for storms of high intensities. This study also shows the importance of using dual rain gauges in arid regions where large storms are rare and hence can be missed if only one gauge is used due to gauge failure, which is not a surprise in such harsh environment.