Which method is commonly used for averaging rainfall depths?

The arithmetic method is commonly used for averaging rainfall depths due to its simplicity and effectiveness in many applications. In this method, the average rainfall depth is calculated by summing the depths recorded at different rain gauges and then dividing by the number of gauges. This approach assumes that each measurement carries equal weight, making it straightforward to implement when rainfall data is relatively uniform across the area of interest.

For scenarios where rainfall distribution is highly variable or when different gauges represent areas of differing rainfall amounts, other methods such as the weighted method may be more appropriate. The weighted method takes into account the varying area coverage or the importance of different gauges based on their location. The geometric and statistical methods also serve specific analytical purposes but are less commonly used for basic rainfall depth averaging in practice. Therefore, the arithmetic method remains the traditional choice for its ease of use and direct applicability in many agricultural engineering contexts.