WEATHER SERVICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

East County News Service

March 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – We all want to know how much rain or snow has fallen in local communities – and get accurate forecasts on future weather. Now you can help make that happen. The National Weather Service is looking for volunteers to gather information that will help them better predict the weather, particularly in mountain and desert areas where valuable data on precipitation is lacking.

Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a non-profit group of volunteer precipitation observers. “They report rain, hail and snow as well as any significant weather as it occurs. Anyone can join, and it’s easy to report the information,” says Jimmy Taeger, a meteorologist with the NWS in San Diego.

To volunteer takes just a few minutes a day – along with a 4-inch rain gauge and Internet access.

Taeger said the CoCoRaHS web site is easy to navigate and has instructions for you to  learn how to record an observation. The site also has daily maps of observer’s reports showing where precipitation fell the day before.

“It’s fun to compare the different amounts of precipitation that can fall in an area from just one storm,” he notes, adding that Taeger said the information is very valuable for hydrologists, farmers and many others besides weather forecasters.

To learn more, click here to view a video presentation.

If you’re interested in joining the CoCoRaHS network from school, work or home, visit www.cocorahs.org to sign up. You can also e-mail Jimmy.Taeger@noaa.gov or call 858-675-8700.