Rainfall Observers Network

The Daily Rainfall Observer’s Network is an integral and longstaObserver reading the rain measure at eye level. Image copyright Met officending part of the Environment Agency’s (EA) overall rain gauge network that is delivered in conjunction with the Met Office (MO).  

It is the most cost-effective element of the network, delivering an evidence base which the EA, the MO, water companies and others use to support a broad range of assessments, including managing and maintaining water resources.  

The use of a voluntary network of observers allows rainfall data to be collected across many catchments, including remote areas. The data is collated by the EA before being ingested into the Met Office climate database where it undergoes quality control (QC) alongside data from automatic rain gauges (tipping bucket and weighing) and observations from other manual gauges. Once the QC process is complete all the data is stored by the Met Office as part of the long-term climate record for the UK. Rainfall data from EA automatic gauges are available via the Hydrology Data Explorer.  

We are currently working together on a project to modernise the way the observers submit their daily rainfall data.