Annual Precipitation
Your geographic location will determine the average rainfall amount you experience and is available for rainwater harvesting, tank water collection, and home water usage. Understanding annual precipitation values and amounts is important in rainwater harvesting (RWH) applications and is a good step in planning, installing, and/or optimizing a RWH system. Rain harvesters seeking to maximize the use and collection of a rainwater system may ask:
- What is the annual rainfall for where I live?
- How much rain will fall on my roof in an average year, or month?
- How many gallons of water will my roof / catchment area be able to collect?
Across North America, scientific weather observation stations belonging to federal, state, and educational institutions have recorded precipitation data for a significant portion of the U.S. over decades. To determine your monthly and annual rainfall averages, make use of the NOAA’s weather database tool to compile years of precipitation data based on your U.S. State, city, town, and/or specific weather station.
Final Considerations and Further Info
Understanding your local rainfall data can provide better ideas and insight concerning:
- Potential water volume that can be collected, (as a regular approximation), and;
- What size rain tank for the regional rainfall amounts plus the application’s water volume use.
If seeking to convert annual rainfall averages in inches to its equivalent in gallons based on a total roof / catchment area square footage, see our “Home Rainwater Collection Calculator” for a rainfall collection equation.
National Tank Outlet is a leading U.S. source for rainwater harvesting tanks, accessories, equipment, resources, and information. Our experts are always ready to assist our customers with any and all of their rain system needs.
