Experiments with windshields for precipitation gages

Abstract

Under cooperative encouragement from several Federal agencies, the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Idaho has been studying the principles, development, and use of high‐altitude precipitation gages. A low‐speed wind tunnel has been used to study the effect of wind on the catching characteristics of model storage precipitation gages. A snow storm was simulated with sawdust, and various gage designs without windshields and with different type windshields were studied. Special techniques with photography were used to evaluate the value and improvement in performance of various windshield designs. Field studies have also been conducted at two remote mountain locations on prototype gages and shields similar to those studied in the laboratory. Results indicate reductions in catch due to the action of Winds, and new shields proposed for use are showing an improvement in the consistency of catch both in studies in the wind‐tunnel and in the field.