The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network is affectionately known by its members as CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz). It’s a nationwide program where volunteers report daily rainfall using rain gauges in their yards.
However, with North Carolina in an ongoing drought, volunteers are needed now to report where it’s not raining.
Assistant State Climatologist Sean Heuser explained having “boots on the ground” is especially helpful because a limited number of weather stations are collecting data.
“I don’t know if I can put a quantity on the value of … having (these) observations,” said Heuser. “The applications … are numerous.”
The data give meteorologists a better understanding of how much rain fell and where, which can help predict flood events and improve future forecasts. It can also help local officials make decisions related to water restrictions or irrigation schedules for farmers.
Heuser said CoCoRaHS volunteers also submit condition reports for their local area.
“Things like … it hasn’t rained in three weeks. The ground is extremely dry. We’re seeing cracks in the dirt. The crops aren’t growing,” said Heuser. “So we can (give) a better understanding … to the decision makers.”
The program has over 1,000 volunteers in North Carolina and is always welcoming more.
“The beauty of this is anyone can do it,” said Heuser. “I’ve given out gauges to school groups where elementary school kids help out making the observations every morning. My 80-plus-year-old father-in-law is also an observer.”
To get started, volunteers can sign up online and order a rain gauge.