National Weather Service Seeks Volunteer "Citizen Scientists"
(Louisville, Kentucky) – The National Weather Service (NWS) is inviting residents of all ages and backgrounds to join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) during its annual Rain Gauge Rally this April.
CoCoRaHS is a grassroots volunteer network of "citizen scientists" who measure and map precipitation right in their own backyards. While sophisticated radar technology exists, the most accurate way to know how much rain or snow fell is through manual measurements. Because "the rain doesn't fall the same on all," high-density data from thousands of volunteers is essential to capture the true variability of weather across our local communities.
A Program for Everyone
CoCoRaHS is uniquely geared toward everyone—from grade schoolers to retirees in their 90s.
● For Students: It is a fun, hands-on way to encourage kids who love weather to participate in real-world science and learn how weather impacts their daily lives.
● For Enthusiasts: Participants join a network of over 27,000 active observers across the country.
As former Colorado State Climatologist Nolan Doesken noted, "These volunteers are providing scientists around the country with excellent precipitation and hail monitoring statistics for tracking weather patterns and water supplies".
Why Your Backyard Data Matters
The data collected isn't just for tracking summer thunderstorms; it is vital year-round, including for winter snow measurements. Daily reports are used by the NWS and other agencies for:
● River Forecasting: Directly improving the accuracy of river level and flood stage predictions.
● Flood Warnings: Aiding meteorologists in determining soil saturation to issue more precise flash flood warnings.
● Water Management: Helping municipal water providers and managers assess available water supplies and project customer demand.
How to Participate
Participation is easy and takes less than five minutes each morning. To join the April Rally:
1. Sign Up: Register your location at www.cocorahs.org.
2. Get Equipped: Obtain the standard 4-inch diameter plastic rain gauge used by the network, currently available for approximately $40 to $42.
3. Train: View brief online training animations or slide shows to learn how to measure rain, hail, and snow accurately.
4. Report: Check your gauge each morning and submit your report via the CoCoRaHS website or mobile app.
Help our state climb the leaderboard this April! By providing your daily observation, you help fill a critical piece of the weather puzzle.
For more information, visit www.cocorahs.org
