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How to Make a Rainmeter

While you can get reports of how much rain has fallen from a meteorologist's website, you won't know exactly how much falls on your home unless you measure it yourself. Making a rain meter is simple, and the construction is very logical. Rain gauges are simple devices that measure the amount of rainfall by collecting it in a container.

Things You'll Need

Glass jar
Ruler
Packing tape
Small shovel
Waterproof tape

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the lid of a glass jar. Fold a clear piece of waterproof tape and stick it to the bottom of a ruler.
- 2
  Break the ruler in half so it won't be too long. Push the ruler and tape to the inside bottom of the glass jar in the center.
- 3
  Dig a small two-inch-deep trench in your yard away from trees and other structures that could affect the accuracy of the gauge. Place the glass jar in the trench and pack dirt around the area.
- 4
  Measure the amount of rain immediately after a rainfall to ensure that you don't lose water because of evaporation. Make the measurement as closely as possible to the nearest tenth of an inch.
- 5
  Track the measurements on a daily basis. Add them up over each month and compare the months.

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