Collecting rainfall data for a century

For Andrew Higham, checking his rain gauge and recording the numbers each day is second nature.

Particularly since the Williams farmer has been following this routine from as early as he can remember.

But as one of about 1000 volunteer rainfall observers in WA, his local data are critical to the mapping of the State's weather history.

Each time Mr Higham records the number of millimetres received on his property, he contributes a small but vital piece to the puzzle that is the State's rainfall record.

Mr Higham, who farms with his son Anthony, was recently awarded a Rainfall Excellence Award to recognise the 113 years his family has been keeping records on behalf of the Bureau of Meteorology.

Since 1911, the family, beginning with great grandfather Harry, followed by grandfather Norman and father Murray, have been recording numbers on to their rainfall chart which, like so many of WA's farming volunteers, is kept on the side of the fridge, ensuring it is posted to the bureau at the end of every month.

But Mr Higham said he did not claim to be the longest-serving volunteer rainfall observer in the State.

In fact, he said his family was only 18th on the list of long-serving rainfall-observing families across WA.

"Its just something we have always done - most farmers read the rain gauge anyway," he said.

Mr Higham said his data showed a gradual reduction in annual rainfall over the past 50 years.

"The most predictable thing about rainfall records is the fact that it tells you that rainfall is most unpredictable," he said.

"But yes, the long-term trend is that the rainfall is dropping off.

"Up until the 1950s, we were receiving consistently above 500mm annual rainfall, but in the last 50 years, we are down to about 450mm or less."

The Highams have a mixed farming operation south of Williams, with half the property in grains and the other half dedicated to sheep production.

The Highams plant canola, oats and barley, and with harvest just beginning in the district, Mr Higham said the canola oil content was so far going well.

According to regional observations manager for WA Graeme Jemmeson, the bureau relied on the network of volunteers to provide the information it needed to deliver crucial weather and forecasting services to communities across Australia.

"This data strengthens the long-term understanding of Australia's climate," he said.

"Australia is a vast continent and while the bureau's network is extensive, there are many areas that are not covered except by the dedicated service of volunteers such as the Higham family."

Mr Higham said his heavy metal rainfall gauge, supplied by the bureau, was often a talking point among visitors to his property.

"When I ran over the last one with the boomspray, the Bureau came down and set up this one," he said.

"A lot of people ask what the tin thing down the driveway is, and yes, it's my rain gauge.

"Its flat on the ground because apparently that's where you get the most accurate reading."