Local weather buffs invited to report moisture

Do you keep a rain gauge and check it regularly? Does it seem that the drought monitor doesn’t “see” the droughts you experience?

If so, you may be interested in participating in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or CoCoRaHS.  

CoCoRaHS is not just a fun activity. The reports are used by many agencies and weather scientists. The National Weather Service looks at reports to track storms and their variability. Reports also help inform the U.S. Drought Monitor creators.

Weather modelers compare reports to radar information to improve predictions. In addition to their weather spotters, the NWS warning system relies on CoCoRaHS “significant weather reports.” Many others use the data, including emergency managers, insurance adjusters, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and engineers.  

Additionally, various drought and range condition models and monitors are looking at using CoCoRaHS data. Currently, most of these models use NWS Cooperative Observer Program stations and/or state-sponsored automated weather stations. But these stations are widely scattered across the West. This leaves large gaps to fill in with statistics — and opportunities for error.  

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