How is rainfall measured in the metric system?

Answer 1

Rainfall is measured with a rain gauge, basically a funnel and a measuring cylinder. The height of the water in the cylinder is then measured in millimetres, telling us the amount of rain that has fallen.

Answer 2

I found the units strange when I first of it, too - but the point is that you get more rainfall over a greater area. The amount of rain per area is of interesting - and that would be measured (for example, to use SI units) in cubic meters / square meter, equivalent to meters. Since that is a rather large unit, the smaller unit "millimeters" is often used instead.

You can also understand this as how high an open container with vertical walls will get filled - assuming that no water evaporates.

Answer 3

Yes. Rainfall is mainly measured in inches though.

Answer 4

Rainfall is measured in millimetres.