Can I participate? Absolutely! The ultimate goal of the program is to have one observer per square mile in urban/suburban areas and one observer every 36 square miles in rural areas. Everyone can help; young, old, and in-between. The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can effect and impact our lives. Quite a few schools have folded CoCoRaHS into their Science curriculum, with students taking and reporting rainfall measurements everyday as part of a year-long science project!  Once trained, volunteers collect data using low cost measuring tools such as a 4-inch diameter high capacity rain gage (pictured right), snow boards to measure snow, and aluminum foil-wrapped Styrofoam hail pads. Information on purchasing a modestly priced rain gage can be found via the CoCoRaHS main page.

 

How does it work ?

Each time a rain, or snow storm crosses your area, and every time hail is reported, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible.  These precipitation reports are then recorded on the CoCoRaHS web site, www.cocorahs.org. The data are then displayed and organized for many of our end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards.

CoCoRaHS has several goals. 1) provide accurate high-quality precipitation data for our many end users on a timely basis; 2) increasing the density of precipitation data available throughout the country by encouraging volunteer weather observing; 3) encouraging citizens to have fun participating in meteorological science and heightening their awareness about weather; 4) providing enrichment activities in water and weather resources for teachers, educators and the community at large to name a few..

How do I join? Either click on the “Join CoCoRaHS” image to the right, visit the CoCoRaHS home page at www.cocorahs.org. Any questions about the program can also be directed to the Regional Coordiator, Mike Montefusco at Michael.Montefusco@noaa.gov