Precipitation & Present Weather

Superior Technology
Long-Term Reliability
Low Maintenance

Rain Gauges

AWI rain gauges are designed for many years of accurate, trouble-free operation. The built-in level and pre-drilled feet on our tipping bucket rain gauges will help to simplify installation. Our patented all-metal designs (including aluminum, nickel-plated brass, and stainless steel) ensures your rain gauge will maintain accurate operation for years to come.

Model 6011 - Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

The 6011 Series Tipping Bucket Rain & Snow Gauges are standard, precision instruments for measuring rainfall volume and/or rate. Rain enters the gauges through a large funnel, the rim of which is protected by a metal ring to prevent distortion. Collected water passes through a debris-filtering screen and is funneled into one of the two tipping buckets inside the gauge. The bucket tips when a given amount of water has been collected; the amount of which is determined by gauge calibration. As the bucket tips, it causes a 0.1 second switch closure. The tip also brings a second bucket into position under the funnel, ready to fill and repeat the cycle. After the rain water is measured, it drains out through tubes in the base of the gauge. These drain holes are covered by screens to prevent insect entry.

Various models in the 6011 series offer data collection in either standard or metric units. For additional details please see the specifications listed on our product data sheet.

Model 6021 - Electrically Heated Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

The 6021 series Electrically Heated Rain & Snow Gauges are available for areas where snow or freezing rain may occur. These gauges operate in the same manor as the 6011 series gauges, but they are equipped with 4 separate heaters to ensure continuous operation even in extreme temperatures. A NiChrome wire heater wraps around the collection funnel to melt the precipitation. A second NiChrome wire heater warms the internal components and the gauge base to prevent refreezing of the water inside the gauge. In addition, a cartridge heater is installed into each of the two drain tubes so that the measured precipitation passes out of the gauge freely without freezing on contact with the cold outside air. The funnel and the base heaters are controlled by thermostats whereas the drain tube heaters are designed for continuous duty.

The Model 6021 is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) meeting all of the most current regulatory requirements.

Unit specifications and power requirements can be found on our product data sheet.

Model 6030 - Optical Rain Gauge

The AWI Model 6030 Optical Rain Gauge is a superior tool for rain measurement. The Model 6030's scintillation technology is the best method for optical measurement of rain. Falling rain causes beam intensity variations in the infrared light as it passes through the beam. These irregularities, known as scintillations, have characteristic patterns, which are detected by the sensor and converted to rain rate.

The Model 6030 was designed with a tough, yet lightweight frame, which can withstand the rigors of the most severe weather. Lens heaters keep the optical path clear of due or condensation, and the unit enclosure is rated NEMA 4 (IP 66).

For additional specifications and power requirements, download our product data sheet here.

Present Weather Sensors

Model 6498 - Combined Present Weather/Visibility Sensor

The Model 6498 is an infrared forward scatter present weather/visibility sensor designed for the varied applications of automatic weather stations. This unit was engineered to measure environmental variables in even the harshest conditions. The sensor’s all-metal housing will provide years of uninterrupted weather monitoring while the self-regulating design minimizes maintenance by extending time between calibrations. The Model 6498 is capable of self-diagnosing dirty lenses and will indicate when lenses are contaminated and need to be cleaned.

For visibility measurement, the Model 6498 employs field tested forward scatter technology, utilizing the industry standard scatter angle. Its high speed sampling rate makes the Model 6498 ideal for rapidly changing conditions as it reduces the likelihood of missed events such as rain and hail.

For technical specifications, download the product data sheet here.

Model 6490 - Present Weather Sensor

The FAA certified Model 6490 Present Weather Sensor optically measures precipitation induced scintillation and applies algorithms to automatically determine the precipitation occurrence, type, and rate. This sensor is vastly superior to traditional type sensors, and offers the reliability and proven performance you need.

The Model 6490 measures precipitation by detecting the optical irregularities (known as scintillations) induced by particles falling through a beam of partially coherent infrared light. By detecting the intensity of the scintillations characteristic of precipitation, the precipitation rate is determined, allowing it to be used as a precipitation accumulation sensor as well as a type sensor. By analyzing the frequency spectrum of the induced scintillation, the precipitation type is determined.

The Model 6490 offers several features that can be customized to fit a specific need. These features include, NWS or MWO weather codes, English or metric units, past data, and automated calibration.

Designed for rugged, unattended operation, these sensors have been field-tested in adverse environments around the world including Antarctica, Europe, the Far East, and North America.

For technical specifications, download the product data sheet here.

Freezing Rain Sensors

Model 6495 - Freezing Rain Sensor

The FAA certified, Model 6495 Freezing Rain Sensor uses an ultrasonic axially vibrating probe to detect the presence of icing conditions. The vibrating frequency of the probe decreases with the accumulation of ice, frost, or wet snow. After ice has accumulated on the probe to a predetermined thickness, the AWOS DCP instructs the sensor to turn on it's internal heaters to deice the probe.

The powerful deicing system is capable of completely melting 3.8 mm of ice on the probe within 30 seconds at -20°C, while requiring less than 400 watts of power to operate. Following the deicing cycle, a heat sink dissipates the heat from the probe assembly. The heat sink provides a recovery time of approximately 10 minutes after deicing, and thermally isolates the probe assembly, ensuring accurate measurement at temperatures near 0°C.

When used with an All Weather Inc. AWOS, the Model 6495 reports frequency values once each minute. The system then combines this information with data from other sensors on the AWOS to generate freezing rain reports.

Model 6496 - Freezing Rain Sensor

Calibration Devices

Model 60103 - Rain Gauge Calibrator

The 60103 Rain Gauge Calibrator is designed for easy field checks on the calibration of tipping bucket gauges, but it can be used for laboratory calibration procedures as well. The calibrator consists of a plastic bottle to hold water, a stand to set the bottle in the gauge funnel, and a constant head orifice assembly. A measured amount of water, equal to 100 tips of the bucket assembly, is directed into the gauge at a constant rate of 2 inches per hour. If the readout device attached to the gauge records more or less than 100 tips, recalibration should be considered.

This calibration method provides the greatest accuracy and repeatability possible because it is based on an average over 100 tips. In addition, the 60103 is unbreakable and therefore better suited to field use than fragile pipettes or graduated cylinders. A fill line is indicated on the water bottle for ease of use. However, for maximum accuracy the amount of water added to the bottle can be determined using a laboratory balance.