Weather Reports Needed Via CoCoRaHS

Weather Observers Needed

March Recruitment Drive

The scientific community, the various levels of government, and the public at large need your help. Please join the international, non-profit, volunteer Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS; pronounced KO-ko-rozz) to submit weather observations.

Though daily observations are best (even multiple reports if there is big weather happening), there is no obligation as to how many reports you make. All that is required is an internet connection to create and access your free account, and to submit your reports, and an acceptable rain gauge.

March is the biggest recruitment drive for new CoCoRaHS "weather observers", so big that there is a friendly competition among states across the nation to beat each other in the number of new members. Observers are needed throughout Indiana and beyond, especially in rural areas. The arrival of spring and summer warmth and storms helps the recruitment drive due to the increased interest folks have in being outdoors, the increased variety and intensity of the weather, and increased number of outdoor activities affected by the weather such as recreation, gardening/farming, and construction work.

As a participant, you are: provided a permanent digital record of your reports online, can compare your observations against surrounding observations, and have instant and up-to-date statistics about your observational data. In addition to the CoCoRaHS database, observations are stored in the U.S. federal national archives alongside those from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and diaries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

CoCoRaHS data is utilized in numerous user communities, ranging from agriculture to litigation to water resources. The data helps farmers determine how much fertilizer to apply, what days building contractors are excused from work, and production of the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map. The NWS uses the data for forecasts, warnings, warning verification, climate summaries and studies, and fulfilling data requests. Some media outlets publish the data for their subscribers/followers.

By submitting reports you help us all. Scan the QR code or click here to visit the CoCoRaHS website (cocorahs.org) to learn more, join, and view reports from observers across the nation and beyond.

When you join CoCoRaHS you help more than just meteorologists. The data that you provide is also used by climatologists, hydrologists, fisheries, researchers, homeowners, engineers, insurance industry, education, municipal water providers, regional water management, and agriculture.