Stratus professional weather rain gauge — NOAA-standard clear plastic funnel-top gauge with 0.01 inch accuracy for backyard weather stations, Made in USA
Clear plastic professional weather rain gauge with white lid and measurement markings on wooden post 0.01 inch accuracy
Clear plastic professional weather rain gauge with white lid and measurement markings 0.01 inch accuracy rainfall gauge
Clear plastic professional weather rain gauge with white lid and blue branding featuring 0.01 inch accuracy markings
Clear plastic professional weather rain gauge with transparent body and 0.01 inch accuracy by stratus
Clear plastic stratus professional weather rain gauge mounted on wooden post with 0.01 inch accuracy rainfall gauge
Clear plastic professional weather rain gauge with blue label and 0.01 inch accuracy mounted on wooden garden bed
Clear plastic stratus professional weather rain gauge with white label mounted on wooden posts for 0.01 inch accuracy
Clear plastic stratus professional weather rain gauge with white scale and blue branding mounted on wooden stakes

Stratus Professional Weather Rain Gauge with 0.01 Inch Accuracy

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Made in USA

⛈️ Summer Storm Season Is Here — Know Exactly How Much Rain Fell

Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge — 0.01" Accuracy | CoCoRaHS Official | Made in USA

The Stratus® is the official rain gauge of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) — the largest volunteer weather observer network in North America, endorsed by NOAA. When accuracy matters for irrigation scheduling, garden planning, or contributing to real weather science, this is the gauge serious observers trust.

Measures to 0.01-inch precision — ten times more accurate than standard 0.1" gauges. Clear graduated tube with funnel top design maximizes rain collection. Weather-resistant construction built for year-round outdoor use. Made in USA.

Why 0.01" accuracy matters: A standard gauge rounds to the nearest tenth of an inch. The Stratus reads to the nearest hundredth — the difference between knowing you got 0.4" of rain and knowing you got 0.43". For irrigation scheduling, that precision changes whether you water today or skip it.

Key Specifications

  • Accuracy: 0.01 inch (hundredths) precision
  • Design: Clear graduated inner tube with wide-mouth funnel top
  • Construction: Weather-resistant, UV-stable plastic
  • Certification: Official CoCoRaHS gauge — NOAA observer network
  • Origin: Made in USA
  • Use: Outdoor rainfall measurement for gardens, farms, and weather stations

Key Benefits

  • CoCoRaHS Official Gauge — The gauge NOAA-endorsed volunteer observers use nationwide
  • 0.01" Precision — Ten times more accurate than standard rain gauges
  • Easy-to-Read Graduated Scale — Clear markings for quick, accurate readings at a glance
  • Wide-Mouth Funnel Top — Maximizes rain collection surface for accurate measurement
  • Weather-Resistant — Built to withstand outdoor conditions season after season
  • Made in USA — Quality American manufacturing

Professional vs. Decorative: What's the Difference?

Feature Decorative / Digital Gauge Stratus® Precision Gauge
Accuracy 0.1" or estimated 0.01" precision
CoCoRaHS approved No Yes — official gauge
NOAA observer use No Yes
Funnel collection design Rarely Yes — maximizes accuracy
Made in USA Rarely Yes
Battery required Often No — passive, always on

How to Read a Rain Gauge Accurately

Reading a rain gauge correctly matters as much as the gauge itself. The most common mistakes: reading at an angle (parallax error), not emptying after each rain event, and placing the gauge too close to trees or structures. The Stratus® graduated tube is designed to minimize parallax error — read at eye level with the bottom of the meniscus (the curved water surface) for the most accurate result.

Tomatoes need 1–2" of water per week. Lawns need about 1". Knowing your exact rainfall total tells you exactly how much supplemental irrigation your garden needs — no guessing.

Perfect For

  • CoCoRaHS volunteer weather observers
  • Home gardeners tracking rainfall for irrigation scheduling
  • Farmers and market gardeners monitoring field conditions
  • Backyard weather station enthusiasts
  • Irrigation system management and scheduling
  • Schools and educational weather monitoring programs
  • Anyone who wants to know exactly how much rain fell — not approximately

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most accurate rain gauge for home use?
The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge measures to 0.01-inch accuracy — the same standard used by CoCoRaHS volunteer observers and NOAA-endorsed weather networks. It is the most accurate manual rain gauge available for home and garden use.

Is the Stratus rain gauge CoCoRaHS approved?
Yes. The Stratus® is the official gauge of the CoCoRaHS network — the largest volunteer precipitation monitoring network in North America, supported by NOAA.

How do I read a rain gauge accurately?
Place the gauge in an open area away from trees and structures. After a rain event, read the water level at eye level, measuring from the bottom of the meniscus (the curved water surface). Empty the gauge after each reading. The Stratus graduated tube is designed to minimize parallax error for accurate at-a-glance readings.

How is the Stratus different from a digital rain gauge?
Digital gauges require batteries, can malfunction in extreme temperatures, and often measure in 0.1" increments. The Stratus is passive (no batteries), reads to 0.01" precision, and never loses data during a power outage or battery failure.

How much rain do tomatoes need per week?
Tomatoes need 1–2 inches of water per week. Knowing your exact rainfall total with a precision gauge tells you exactly how much supplemental watering your garden needs.

Learn More

Also Need a Replacement Tube?

Keep a spare on hand. The Stratus® Replacement Measuring Tube is available separately — the same precision-graduated tube used in the original gauge. Made in USA.

Find this product online and in stores — see Where to Buy

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FAQs

What is the Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge? +
The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge is a professional-grade rain gauge that measures rainfall to 0.01" accuracy — the same standard used by the National Weather Service and CoCoRaHS weather observers. It is designed for gardeners, farmers, weather enthusiasts, and irrigation professionals who need reliable, precise rainfall data.
How accurate is the Stratus Rain Gauge? +
The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge measures rainfall to 0.01" (one-hundredth of an inch) accuracy — far more precise than standard household rain gauges that only measure to 0.1". This level of accuracy is the official standard for professional weather observation networks including CoCoRaHS.
Is the Stratus Rain Gauge Made in USA? +
Yes. The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge is proudly Made in the USA.
What is CoCoRaHS and is the Stratus gauge approved for it? +
CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) is a national volunteer weather observation network that collects high-quality precipitation data across the US. The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge is the official gauge recommended by CoCoRaHS for its 0.01" measurement accuracy.
How do I read the Stratus Rain Gauge? +
The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge features a large-diameter outer tube and a precision inner measuring tube. After rainfall, the water from the outer tube flows into the narrow inner tube, magnifying the measurement for easy, accurate reading to 0.01".
Is the Stratus Rain Gauge weather-resistant? +
Yes. The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge is constructed from durable, UV-resistant materials designed to withstand year-round outdoor exposure including sun, rain, frost, and wind.
Can I get a replacement measuring tube for the Stratus gauge? +
Yes. Replacement measuring tubes are available separately under the Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge Measuring Tube Replacement. This allows you to replace just the inner tube if it becomes damaged without replacing the entire gauge.
Where should I mount the Stratus Rain Gauge? +
Mount the Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge in an open area away from trees, roof overhangs, and structures that could block or funnel rainfall. The gauge should be positioned so the top of the outer tube is level and unobstructed for accurate collection.
What makes the Stratus gauge better than a standard rain gauge? +
Standard rain gauges typically measure to 0.1" accuracy and use small-diameter tubes that are difficult to read precisely. The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge uses a wide outer collection tube and a narrow inner measuring tube to magnify readings to 0.01" — 10x more precise than standard gauges.
Who uses the Stratus Precision Rain Gauge? +
The Stratus® Precision Rain Gauge is used by home gardeners, farmers, irrigation managers, weather hobbyists, and official CoCoRaHS volunteer observers who need professional-grade rainfall measurement accuracy for plant care, irrigation scheduling, and weather data collection.