Weather observers wanted

Do you ever wonder how much rainfall you received from a recent thunderstorm? How about snowfall during a winter storm? If so, an important volunteer weather observing program needs your help! The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network, or CoCoRaHS, is looking for new volunteers across northwest California. This grassroots effort is part of a growing national network of homebased and amateur rain spotters with a goal of providing a high density precipitation network that will supplement existing observations.

CoCoRaHS came about as a result of a devastating flash flood that hit

Fort Collins, Colorado, in July 1997. A local severe thunderstorm dumped over a foot of rain in several hours while other portions of the city had only modest rainfall. The ensuing flood caught many by surprise and caused $200 million in damages. CoCoRaHS was born in 1998 with the intent of doing a better job of mapping and reporting intense storms.

How does one become a CoCoRaHS observer? Go to the CoCoRaHS website and click on the “Join CoCoRaHS” emblem on the upper right side of the main website. After registering, take the simple online training, order your 4 inch rain gauge and start reporting!

To obtain a rain gauge Volunteers can order through the CoCoRaHS website (http://www.cocorahs.org) for about $35 plus shipping. We do have a limited number of rain gauges to give out if you are able to be a regular observer and there is a limited number of observers currently in your area. Apply with this form.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Matthew Kidwell at the NWS in Eureka at matthew.kidwell@noaa.gov or call at 707-443-6484.