Now is our rainy season here in South Florida. And often, I think to myself that I would like to measure how much rain we get in my area for the entire year. I know we get more rain here at my place than on the coast. I am due west of Fort Lauderdale.

 But I can't find a nice rain gauge that will hold more than 5" at a time. Anyone have a sugestion on where I might find a nice one?

Jeff, I just bought a guage from one of the few home improvement catalogues that find their way to my mail box. It was about $35, and it has a collector that I place outside, and a wireless readout I have in the house. It never needs emptying as it reads as the fallen rain runs through it. In addition to reading 100ths accurately, it keeps a running total with daily records. I know there are several of these types available these days. Some are incorporated into fairly eloborate weather stations for the home. Search Google. IMO these new electronic ones are the way to go. No more emptying or keeping written records as long as your battery is good.

You can purchase the official US Weather Bureau  11" rain guage for about $25 on ebay.  Its a quite reliable manual instrument. The winter of 2004/05 produced over 50 inches in about 100 days here in foothill LA.  It was great being able to record 5-inch rainfalls in less than a day with this particular guage.

Jeff,

All you had to do is say something, I can get you a complete weather station in your yard for cheap.

Thanks everone, I'll look into these. :cool: