Abstract : Both the tipping bucket and the weighing gauge are currently widely used instruments for precipitation observation . Comparing their observations can facilitate a better analysis on the accuracy of precipitation observation data. Based on the minutely precipitation data observed by SL3 - 1 tipping bucket and DSC2 weighing gauges from 12 meteorological stations in Beijing , this article analyzes the difference in response time between the two types of devices during precipitation events . The results show that : 1) For either start time or end time of precipitation , the weighing gauge responds earlier than the tipping-bucket rain gauge , and the proportions of the response time difference within 10 min is 80 . 8% for start time and 60 . 2% for end time , with average response time differences of - 0 . 2 min for start time and - 10 . 1 min for end time . 2) For observational processes , the response time difference between the two devices exceeds 60 min , which implies that it is the weighing gauge that mainly responses earlier than the tipping bucket. Correcting the precipitation time with the observed last 2nd minute precipitation , the absolute deviation of the precipitation end time is reduced from 16 . 9 min to 11 . 5 min . 3) There are larger differences in response time during the period of low precipitation intensity. The main causes of these differences mainly include equipment wetting loss , startup error and precipitation collection time , etc . This difference analysis of precipitation observation timeliness between tipping bucket and weighing gauges under different precipitation conditions helps understand their respective characteristics and applicable scenarios . So , this study could be a scientific basis for the selection of sensors in different application scenarios , and also a reference for verifying numerical weather prediction results and promoting meteorological services .