Numerous manual precipitation gauges are in use worldwide for measuring winter precipitation. Table 1 provides an inventory of manual precipitation gauges currently in use by NRB nations, with a summary of gauge characteristics and windshield type. The types of precipitation gauge and windshield configuration differ significantly among the NRB countries. Generally, the transition from manual to automatic gauges occurred in the last decades of the 20th century with evolving technology.

Table 1

Manual solid precipitation gauges used by NRB counties (Sevruk & Klem 1989)

Country of useCountry of originGauge nameOrifice area (cm2)Length (cm)MaterialWindshield
Canada Canada Nipher 127 56 Copper Nipher 
Finland Finland H&H-90 200 40 Aluminum (Teflon coated) Tretyakov 
Greenland Denmark Hellman 200 43 Galvanized iron Nipher 
Iceland Denmark Hellman 200 43 Galvanized iron Nipher 
Norway Norway Norwegian 225 25 Copper Nipher 
Russia Russia Tretyakov 200 40 Galvanized iron Tretyakov 
Sweden Sweden SMHI 200 35 Aluminum Nipher, modified Nipher, Wyoming 
USA USA NWS 8-in. 324 68 Copper/Steel Alter, Wyoming 
Country of useCountry of originGauge nameOrifice area (cm2)Length (cm)MaterialWindshield
Canada Canada Nipher 127 56 Copper Nipher 
Finland Finland H&H-90 200 40 Aluminum (Teflon coated) Tretyakov 
Greenland Denmark Hellman 200 43 Galvanized iron Nipher 
Iceland Denmark Hellman 200 43 Galvanized iron Nipher 
Norway Norway Norwegian 225 25 Copper Nipher 
Russia Russia Tretyakov 200 40 Galvanized iron Tretyakov 
Sweden Sweden SMHI 200 35 Aluminum Nipher, modified Nipher, Wyoming 
USA USA NWS 8-in. 324 68 Copper/Steel Alter, Wyoming 

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