Measurement of Trace Rainfall at a High Arctic Site

Abstract

Trace rainfall is defined as rainfall under 0.2 mm (or 0.05 in) which cannot be measured by conventional types of rain-gauges. In the Canadian Arctic Islands, trace rainfall is commonly reported by the government weather stations or by researchers in the field. Frequent occurence of such events is attributed to the moisture provided by the open water areas and melting snow (Barry and Hare, 1974). To date, however, the measurement of trace rainfall has not been attempted. In view of low rainfall in the High Arctic, the exclusion of trace rainfall can possibly cause an underestimation of summer precipitation (Courtin and Labine, 1977; Jackson, 1961). The purpose of the present study is to determine the magnitude of several trace rainfall events using a simple device modified after one designed to study fog (Burton, 1971).