1 Scope
Non-catching type gauges are the emerging class of in situ precipitation measurement
instruments. For these instruments, rigorous testing and calibration are more challenging
than for traditional gauges. Hydrometeors’ characteristics like particle size, shape,
fall velocity and density need to be reproduced in a controlled environment to provide
the reference precipitation, instead of the equivalent water flow used for catching-type
gauges. They are generally calibrated by the manufacturers using internal procedures
developed for the specific technology employed. No agreed methodology exists, and
the adopted procedures are rarely traceable to internationally recognized standards.
This document describes calibration and accuracy issues of non-catching instruments
used for liquid/solid atmospheric precipitation measurement. An overview of the existing
models of non-catching type instruments is included, together with an overview and
a description of their working principles and the adopted calibration procedures.
The literature and technical manuals disclosed by manufacturers are summarized and
discussed, while current limitations and metrological requirements are identified.