Will a rain gauge and a 5 gallon bucket catch the same amount in the same rain storm?

Answer 1

In theory, a rain gauge and a 5-gallon bucket should catch the same amount of rain during the same storm if both are placed in the same location and exposed to the same environmental conditions. However, practical factors such as wind, evaporation, and the design of the rain gauge may cause slight variations in the amount collected. Rain gauges are specifically designed to minimize these effects, while a bucket may be more susceptible to splashing and overflow. Therefore, while they should capture comparable amounts, differences may arise in practice.