In message ,
Scott W writes
After requesting MetO rainfall cards for several stations for February
1991 I've been surprised how much the precipitation varied over quite a
small area.

There was 23mm - 27mm over a wide area though some stations seem to
have recorded far less. Which brings me to a question. Is it a case of
stations missing out or is it down to the skills of the observer in
recording snow? How meticulous was the Met Office's quality control in
1991? Were volunteers trained?
snip

Just one thought, that when it's drifting snow it must be very
difficult. In fact one wonders if it's possible in extreme conditions to
get a meaningful figure at all using a rainguage.
--
I'm not paid to implement the recognition of irony.
(Taken, with the author's permission, from a LiveJournal post)