Certified accuracy of rainfall data as a standard requirement in scientific investigations

Abstract. This paper elaborates on the rationale behind the proposed standard limits for the accuracy of rainfall intensity measurements obtained from tipping-bucket and other types of rain gauges. Indeed, based on experimental results obtained in the course of international instrument Intercomparison initiatives and specific laboratory tests, it is shown here that the accuracy of operational rain gauges can be reduced to the limits of ±1% after proper calibration and correction. This figure is proposed as a standard accuracy requirement for the use of rain data in scientific investigations. This limit is also proposed as the reference accuracy for operational rain gauge networks in order to comply with quality assurance systems in meteorological observations.