Call for volunteers
Weather enthusiasts needed to help measure, map precipitation in Delaware
11 a.m., March 10, 2016--As Delaware’s coordinator for the Community Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), one of Kevin Brinson’s jobs is recruiting volunteers.
CoCoRaHS is a national non-profit network of volunteers who work together to measure and map precipitation such as rain, hail and snow throughout the year.
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This data is entered into a centralized repository where it is available to everyday people interested in better understanding how weather can affect and impact their lives.
The National Weather Service, the National Center for Environmental Predictions, State Climate Offices and even local gardeners and agricultural groups use CoCoRaHS data to monitor precipitation on a day-to-day basis. These organizations collect the volunteers’ data to monitor flood forecasts, rainfall estimates, monthly climate summaries and drought conditions across the country.
Throughout this month, CoCoRaHS will host its “March Madness” recruiting competition. While the event helps to generate more accurate precipitation estimates, its true purpose is to increase the number of volunteers throughout all 50 states.
As associate state climatologist, Brinson’s strong passion for weather mapping is evident in his urge to get the Delaware community involved. Although there are visible gaps in the Wilmington and New Castle area, Brinson emphasized the importance of increasing the number of observers throughout the entire state.
“Volunteers are needed statewide, whether you live near the coast in Lewes or further north in Wilmington or Newark,” said Brinson, who also directs the Delaware Environmental Observing System, which is housed in University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment.
“The CoCoRaHS slogan is ‘Every Drop Counts’ and that means we're happy to have volunteers 50 miles apart or next door neighbors.”
There are no prerequisites or qualifications to become involved – simply a desire to go outside to take weather observations will suffice. Getting started is easy, and volunteers can learn how to read and maintain a measuring tool called a gauge, take snow measurements and report data through training modules available on the organization’s website.
Then, before heading off to school or work, volunteers simply observe and record the weather and take any necessary measurements depending on the type of precipitation. Data collected is reported by uploading it on the CoCoRaHS website or by using the organization’s smartphone app.
When life gets busy, volunteers can enter multi-day precipitation reports to make up for missed days – numbers that are just as valuable for monthly, seasonal and annual data studies.
In addition to helping the weather community, volunteers also personally benefit from the program. Many volunteers use the data they collect to determine when to water their gardens or lawns or to better interpret unusual weather patterns that occur throughout the year.
“Many times in the summer it will rain an inch at one house with pop-up afternoon thunderstorms, but it won’t rain at the neighbor’s house down the road. That variability is better understood if we have more ground truth rainfall observations,” Brinson said.
Brinson explained that the more measurements reported daily allow climatologists like himself to prepare for precipitation extremes such as floods, droughts or blizzards.
“As a volunteer, you have the chance to help the climate and weather community better understand what’s happening in your very own backyard,” said Brinson.
To learn more or submit a volunteer application, visit the website.
Article by Laura Bilash
Image courtesy of Kevin Brinson
Photo by Bob Bowden