Rainfall Inter-comparison of TE525 and Pluvio Precipitation Gauges at Wisconet Hancock Station

The Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet (Wisconet) provides timely soil and weather monitoring data and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Partnerships Institute and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). Wisconet uses the TE525, a tipping bucket precipitation gauge, to accurately measure liquid precipitation. However, uncertainty regarding the validity of measurements required investigation into the reliability of the TE525. While we trust the data reported by the TE525, we aim to eliminate any doubts about its performance. Because the data collected is shared with users including the National Weather Service (NWS), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), farmers, and the public, Wisconet has a responsibility to provide accurate data. Accurate measurements create better forecasts, warnings, and decisions to protect the public from hazardous weather events. Establishing trust in the TE525 also benefits mesonets across the country and can help build accurate data collections nationwide for research and other purposes. To investigate the reliability of the TE525, the Precipitation Gauge OTT Pluvio2 L (Pluvio) was deployed to the Hancock Agricultural Research Station to collect data alongside the TE525. The Pluvio is a weighing precipitation gauge with a built-in filter that limits the impact of wind, temperature, and evaporation on measurements. We analyzed rainfall events beginning in early June 2024 through the end of 2024. Our precipitation gauges reported data by the minute, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of performance between the two. Among all data points, calculations revealed TE525 measurements were (on average) within 10% of Pluvio measurements. We also evaluated differences in performance as a function of precipitation rate. As our network continues to expand, we will continue to prioritize accurate measurements and support the larger national network of mesonets.