Comparison of observational characteristics of weighing precipitation gauges installed under different environmental conditions

SungEun Hwang; YoungTae Lee; SoRa In; WoonSeon Jung

doi:10.3741/JKWRA.2026.59.10.1347

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2026 Vol.59, Issue 10 Preview Page

Comparison of observational characteristics of weighing precipitation gauges installed under different environmental conditions 설치환경이 다른 무게식 강수량계의 관측 특성 비교

31 October 2026. pp. 1347-1353

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Abstract

Although the accuracy of precipitation measurement can vary considerably depending on installation conditions, standardized guidelines for the installation of weighing precipitation gauges in South Korea have yet to be fully established. In this study, identical weighing precipitation gauges (OTT Pluvio2) were deployed at the Gochang Standard Meteorological Station under three different installation configurations: a pit gauge conforming to WMO standards (PIT), a gauge mounted 1.5 m above a grass surface (FIELD), and a gauge installed within a Double Fence Intercomparison Reference (DFIR). Observational data collected over approximately 23 months, from June 2024 to April 2026, were compared and analyzed. Over the full study period, the cumulative catch ratios of the DFIR and FIELD gauges relative to the PIT reference were 92.9% and 91.4%, respectively, indicating a systematic underestimation tendency at both sites. A pronounced wind-induced undercatch was observed at wind speeds exceeding 5 m s^-1, with catch ratios dropping sharply to 69% for DFIR and 63% for FIELD. Analysis of rainfall intensity during the Changma (Korean monsoon) period revealed a nonlinear relationship between installation environment and catch performance: collection discrepancies among installation configurations were largest under weak-to-moderate rainfall (1-10 mm h^-1), whereas the influence of installation environment diminished under heavy rainfall (≥ 20 mm h^-1). These findings are expected to serve as quantitative evidence to support the establishment of national installation standards for weighing precipitation gauges in South Korea.

Keywords

Weight Precipitation gauge

PIT gauge

DFIR

Observation environment

강수량 관측의 정확도는 설치환경에 따라 달라질 수 있으나, 국내 무게식 강수량계의 설치 표준은 아직 충분히 마련되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 고창 표준기상관측소에서 동일 무게식 강수량계(OTT Pluvio²)를 WMO 기준인 pit gauge(PIT), 초지 1.5 m (FIELD), DFIR 세가지 환경에 배치하고 2024년 6월부터 2026년 4월 까지 약 23개월간의 관측 자료를 비교 분석하였다. 전 기간 분석 결과 DFIR과 FIELD의 PIT 대비 누적 포집율은 각 각 92.9% 와 91.4% 로 두 지점 모두 과소 측정하는 경향을 보였으며, 풍속 5 m s^-1 이상에서 포집율이 DFIR 69%, FIELD 63% 까지 급감하는 전형적인 강풍시 포집 손실 경향을 확인하였다. 장마기간 강우강도 분석에서는 약한 강수(1-10 mm h^-1)구간에서 설치환경에 따른 포집 편차가 크고, 강한 강수(≥ 20 mm h^-1) 구간에서 설치환경의 영향이 감소하는 비선형 특성을 확인하였다. 본 결과는 국내 무게식 강수량계 설치 표준 수립을 위한 정량적 근거로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

키워드

무게식 강수량계

PIT gauge

DFIR

관측환경

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Information

Publisher :KOREA WATER RESOURECES ASSOCIATION
Publisher(Ko) :한국수자원학회
Journal Title :Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
Journal Title(Ko) :한국수자원학회 논문집
Volume : 59
No :10
Pages :1347-1353
Received Date : 2026-06-29
Revised Date : 2026-07-14
Accepted Date : 2026-08-14
DOI :https://doi.org/10.3741/JKWRA.2026.59.10.1347

Journal of Korea Water Resources Association ISSN:2799-8746(Print) 2799-8754(Online) 한국수자원학회 논문집

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