What is cumulative pan evaporation?

Cumulative pan evaporation refers to the total amount of water that has evaporated from a standardized evaporation pan over a specific period, typically measured in millimeters or inches. This measurement is used to assess evaporation rates in a given area, which can be important for agricultural planning, water resource management, and climate studies. The water collected in the pan serves as a reference for understanding atmospheric conditions and potential evapotranspiration rates in the surrounding environment.