HotPlate™ DESIGN

The NCAR-DRI HotPlate™ precipitation-measuring system is constructed with a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation. This plate has at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate where the bottom plate is protected from falling precipitation while still allowing exposure to temperature and wind conditions. A minimum of one solar radiation sensor is connected to at least one of the top or bottom thermal plates to measure the amount of solar radiation hitting the HotPlate™ device. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature, and a power-consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power-consumption curves between top and bottom thermal plates.

Another configuration of the HotPlate™ precipitation-measuring system calls for at least one solar radiation sensor to be replaced by a precipitation on/off sensor. This on/off sensor automatically starts the precipitation-measuring system at the beginning of the precipitation event and then shuts the system down at the end of the event. In yet another configuration, at least one additional pair of thermal plates is used to determine the occurrence of a blowing precipitation event, a natural precipitation event, or a combination of both events by measuring the difference in the amount of precipitation contacting the pairs of thermal plates.

The HotPlate™ can be modified further to fit varying atmospheric conditions and data requirements for various research projects by incorporating one or more additional features into the system configuration. For example, a stand or balloon or other air-borne device can be used to elevate the precipitation-measuring system above the ground surface. A de-icing apparatus can be added to prevent ice from forming on the stand and other components. Real-time adjustments to the temperature of the thermal plates can be made to accommodate varying rates of precipitation.