Parsivel is a modern laser-based optical system for the complete and reliable measurement of all kinds of precipitation. The precipitation particles are differentiated and classified as drizzle, rain, sleet, hail, snow or mixed precipitation. For the precipitation measurements a special sensor head was developed. It measures precipitation optically one meter above the earth's surface (other heights are
available on request). The data determined thereby are processed and stored by a fast digital signal processor. The primarily determined data are the size and the velocity of each individual precipitation particle, from which the size spectrum, the amount of precipitation, the equivalent radar reflectivity, the visibility and the kinetic precipitation energy as well as the kind of precipitation are derived. The results can be transferred to a data logger or to a PC via serial interface.

• World-wide use and operability as Precipitation and Present Weather Sensor.
• Exact and detailed recording and analysis of all kinds of precipitation, quantity and distribution.
• Low purchasing and operating costs for a maintenance-free, autonomous system or as part of an unmanned wetterstation.
• Simultaneous measurement of all kinds of precipitation at all wind conditions - from the gust to the hurricane.
• Laser-optical Disdrometer as alternative to rain gauges using the tipping bucket principle.
• Remote downloading of data and programming.