Topic: Altered Alter

[ValentineWeather]

Thanks for the response Dave. Very good information, I'm primarily thinking of snowfall. I have a pretty good setup most of year but come winter once the vegetation is gone is where my snowfall catch really suffered. Some may of been due to evaporation and the heated rain gauge. My plans are some type of shield using my standalone heated Davis bucket mounted low at 3' vs the 7' now. I'm leaning toward a smaller version of the DFIR now.  Chicken wire won't work well here, most snows were dry and powered which compounds my catch problem. I'll come up with some design before this winter.
Thanks again

[d_l]

Randy, I ran across this type of material for a snow fence: http://www.fullsource.com/tenax-82119006/?gclid=CK6csbzBxMYCFciFfgodl5AFNQ  There are several different venders of similar plastic barrier fences which would be more wind resistant than simple chicken wire, but may suffer solar breakdown over extended time.   I wonder how well such plastic barrier fences would work for a DFIR vs.wooden slats: http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/wood-snow-fence-4-ft-h-x-50-ft-l.

I guess the real goal is to effectively increase the surface roughness upwind from your rain gauge as cheaply as possible and either solution has higher surface roughness than a flat lawn.

[ValentineWeather]

I'm thinking a roll of the wooden snow fence would work best. Perfect height 4' and use some steel post that run 3.99 each.

[d_l]

Randy, you are probably right about the effectiveness of the wooden slat fence and it will almost certainly last longer.  I think you will need more than a single roll though if you build a double ring fence.

[ValentineWeather]

Yes a couple rolls would be needed. Good catch.

[ValentineWeather]

I have another thought using existing chain link and slowing winter north wind. What about attaching Tenax Sno-Guard Snow Fence - 4 ft x 50 ft - Green to 6' chain link on north side of yard where wind blows area marked clear of snow.

[d_l]

You might be able to use the chain link fence with something attached to it, plastic barrier fence, wooden slat fence, etc., as the outer "ring" of the DFIR.  Then put a true inner ring around your gauges.  Just a thought.

[ValentineWeather]

That's what I was thinking, if I slow the wind at the chain link then have a inner ring around gauge, catch should be much better.

I had 2-3' drifts near house and the area near fence would blow clear or  only have a couple inches. Snow fence attached to chain link along that north side would slow much of the drifting and make ground snow measurements and core samples much easier also. I was pulling my hair out trying to get good core samples and measurements my first winter with the powered snow drifting and it seemed like the wind was always blowing.

[ValentineWeather]

I'm going to do the north 80' section of chain-link with snow fence first. This should help with several issues.  I went with a heavy duty type approved by government agencies thinking it may hold up better. I ordered the black so it should blend in.  Its designed to reduce, not stop wind speeds by 50%.  https://resinetbarrierfence.com/store/snow-fence/sf50/resinet-sf5048100-heavy-duty-snow-control-fence-4-x-100-roll.html

[ValentineWeather]

FYI the quote I received  260-952 Rain Gauge Wind Screen, 24" legs… $485.00
Optional: 260-955 Mounting Kit, consists of galvanized flange adapters and #12 x 1-1/4" wood screws… $35.00

Little different than the  $800 but still on high side.