The rain or snow then collects in a narrow cylinder marked with graduated lines. Precipitation that hits your garden collection device falls into an open cylinder that is shaped like a funnel with the largest part of the cylinder at the top.

A glass rain gauge placed in your garden doesn't have to be quite so sophisticated. These systems also follow very specific and detailed steps to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible.

National Weather Service observation stations have truly sophisticated systems to collect rain and note the amount that has fallen. If you're a homeowner who wants to know how much water has fallen in your garden, a collection cylinder will quickly give you the answer. Rainfall rates can vary widely within just a few miles when summer thunderstorms or even winter snows hit. This may help determine watering schedules for lawns and gardens. Today, home observers and gardeners can use a rain gauge to help them keep track of the local climatic conditions. Glass rain gauges have been used for centuries to help farmers and weather observers determine how much rain has fallen at a specific location during a certain period of time.

Rain meters