Abstract: An apparatus for continuously inspecting the physical characteristics of particulate matter having a collection and conveying system, a sampling compartment, and a camera system. The collection and conveying system transports particulate matter, in the form of snowflakes, for example, to a viewing area in the sampling compartment. The camera system monitors the viewing area in order to provide single or multiple images of the snowflakes on single video frames at suitable magnification in order to analyze the crystalline characteristics of the snowflakes under naturally occurring conditions.

Abstract: A snow scale/rate meter having a highly accurate weight sensing device enclosed in a thermally controlled environment. A clear plastic collection bucket is operably connected by means of an elongated shaft to the weight sensing device. In addition, a plurality of wind protection device surround the collection bucket as well as limit collected snowfall to snowfall having trajectories of 45.degree. or less from the vertical. Snowfall weight and rate data can be accurately provided by this meter over extremely short intervals of times during in-the-field operation.

Abstract: A rain rate meter for delineating short-term variations in rain rate having a housing which encloses an electronic balance sensitive to approximately 0.01 grams. The top of the housing is open and has a funnel-shaped element located therein for receiving rainfall. An outlet port is centrally located at the bottom of the funnel-shaped element and a dispersing means is positioned adjacent the outlet port for substantially eliminating the adverse effects of the downward momentum of the rain water flowing from the outlet port prior to being collected by a container which rests upon the balance in the housing. A transfer mechanism is situated in the container in order to gently deposit the flowing rain water into the container. Measurements of collected rainfall weight are made over a preselected period of time by the electronic balance in order to accurately ascertain rain rate.