maybe using the same tipping bucket technique... make the reservoir
double (a double length tube, blocked in the middle, as two buckets back
to back), a small magnet tip holds the whole tube not to tip once it is
full... a single pulse at the magnet would release the tube that will
tip 180¡ turning it up side down (empty side up), the magnet tip holds
it in place to fill this empty side.  Perhaps if the interior of the
tube is a non sticky material (teflon?) the snow would slowly come out
of the tipped side...  You can use the tipping force to rotate a small
generator and recharge batteries...<g>... feel free to design the
rotating contacts to the sensors, etc.. :) 

John Mullan wrote:

> Somebody have an idea how to empty this contraption after a measurment is
> made????