CoCoRaHS “ Volunteers monitoring precipitation in their backyards . . . filling in the gaps ”

1. CoCoRaHS “ Volunteers monitoring precipitation in their backyards . . . filling in the gaps ”

2. What Is CoCoRaHS?? made up of volunteers of all backgrounds and ages . . . “CoCoRaHS is a grassroots, non-profit, community-based, high-density precipitation network

3. . . . who take daily measurements of precipitation right in their own backyards”

4. Just Precipitation! Rain Hail Snow

5. 1) Precipitation is important and highly variable Why CoCoRaHS ?? 2) Data sources are few and rain gauges are far apart PRISM: used by permission

6. 3) Measurements from many sources are not always accurate (especially snow) 4) There is almost no quantitative data being collected about hail 5) Storm reports can save lives

7. Our volunteers collect data by using low-cost measurement tools: Aluminum foil-wrapped Styrofoam hail pads 4-inch diameter high capacity rain gauges

8. All volunteers are trained This helps CoCoRaHS to provide accurate and high quality data. Training may take place at local training sessions, by CD or via the Web

9. Volunteers report their daily observations on our interactive Web site: www.cocorahs.org

10. Observations are immediately available in map and table form for the public to view. DIA Airport Downtown Denver This data allows CoCoRaHS to supplement existing networks and provide many useful results to scientists, resource managers, decision makers and other end users on a timely basis.

11. Our aim isto provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications, while providing educational opportunities for the general public

12. A Brief History of CoCoRaHS

13. CoCoRaHS was born in response to the 1997 Fort Collins, Colorado Flood

14. The flood pointed out: 1. the extreme local variations in rainfall possible from convective storms. • the important role individuals can • play in measuring, mapping and • reporting precipitation. B A Distance between A and B = 5 miles A = 14.5 inches B = 2.0 inches

15. Today 1998 A few dozen volunteers in Northern Colorado 4,000+ volunteers in 19 states

16. Active CoCoRaHS Stations: June 2007

17. Illinois for example Since December 1st: 502 Observers

18. NASHVILLE, TN

19. Two Important Aspects of CoCoRaHS High Quality Data &Education/Outreach Opportunities

20. CoCoRaHS High Quality Data Accurate Measurements Rainfall Measurement Hail Measurement Snow Measurement Drought Monitoring

21. Accurate Measurements Gauge Performance Trained Observers Frequent e-mail reminders Data QC Volunteers Database of over 2 million daily precipitation measurements

22. CoCoRaHS data is available in both map and table form Albuquerque, NM Daily precipitation maps: Rainfall, Hail and Snowfall Daily data in table form

23. Rainfall Measurement

24. Our maps provide the ability to pick-up local variability in rainfall from convective events . . . Boulder DIA Downtown

25. . . . as well as uniformity instratiform events

26. CoCoRaHS helps with flood monitoring as well! June 2006 flooding in the Maryland/Virginia/DC areaA great example of Citizen Scientists in Action!

27. CoCoRaHS instantly provides the NWS with data for possible Severe Weather Warnings Hail Reports DENCCRAHS Instant Snow Reports Possible Flash Flood or Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued Intense Rain Reports

28. Actual CoCoRaHS Intense Rain Report received at NWSFO NZUS45 BKOU 051425 CCRAHS Intense rain report from CoCoRAHS spotter: County: Robertson TN Cross Plains 3.7 W (number TN-RB-2) Latitude: 36.550248 Longitude: -86.747602 05/05/2007 09:15 AM local time -2.00 inches so far, with 2.77 inches in the past 222 mins Flooding: Minor Comments: Majority of rain fell 30-45 minutes before 09:15. Received NWS Boulder Sat May 5 08:25:50 2007 MDT All of today’s CoCoRAHS observations are in WRKCCR (WFO Boulder only) Or at http://www.cocorahs.org (click on reports)

29. Actual CoCoRaHS Detailed Hail Report received at NWSFO NZUS45 KBOU 120128 CCRAHS Detailed hail report from CoCoRAHS spotter: County: Coffee TN Wartrace 6/3 ENE (number TN-CF-4) Latitude: 35.564987 Longitude: -86.230624 05/11/2007 03:30 PM local time Largest hail: 0.625 average: NA Damage: minor leaf damage Duration: 30 depth: Comments: Received NWS Boulder Fri May 11 19:28:43 2007 MDT All of today’s CoCoRAHS observations are in WRKCCR (WFO Boulder only) Or at http://www.cocorahs.org (click on reports)

30. Hail Measurement Instant hailstone analysis on-line Major depository for hail data in the United States Citizen participation in observing and measuring hailstones

31. Instant Analysis Volunteers as well as the general public can get instant analysis using our Web site: www.cocorahs.org. From frequency distributions of hail stone sizes, snowfall totals, or daily precip. amounts a fifth grader in Missouri can do this just as easily as a climatologist in Colorado! With two simple clicks of the mouse anyone can produce a frequency distribution of hail stone sizes for a specific county or state

32. Hailstorm Columbia, Missouri March 12, 2006

33. Snow Data In many cases radar doesn’t measure snow well, while satellite-based products have many limitations.

34. With our local volunteers CoCoRaHS is providing additional “winter weather” measurement capabilities in many states across the country. In some Colorado cities, there are approximately one CoCoRaHS observer per sq. mile.

35. CoCoRaHS Volunteers measure both snowfall depth (new and accumulated) as well as the water content of the snow

36. Spring Blizzard—Denver, Colorado, April 11, 2005 Boulder DIA Downtown

37. Drought Monitoring The CoCoRaHS Web site makes it possible for the public and scientists to quickly assess precipitation totals over previous weeks, months and years to identify areas most lacking in precipitation. Parts of New Mexico went over 4 months with no measurable precipitation from late October 2005 into February 2006.

38. The “Educational/Outreach” aspect of CoCoRaHS A series of educational learning opportunities await each new CoCoRaHS volunteer

39. They include . . . Actual data collection— “learning by doing”

40. Observing daily maps and regional precipitation patterns — learning by seeing Learning by using the CoCoRaHS Web page

42. Learning by Reading the “Message of the Day” After an observer enters their data, they are greeted by the “Message of the Day” . . . “The Gauge” newsletter articles . . .

43. . . .and bi-weekly e-mail updates “We still haven't had any measurable snowfall in most parts of Fort Collins and many areas of eastern Colorado. In fact, I just checked our official records and it's been 40 years since our first snow came this late (in 1965 it waited until Dec. 13). So, I reckon it's time. I better bring in my hail pad and make sure my snow measurement board is in position and my ruler is handy. Yikes, my funnel is still in my gauge, so I better get that out before Saturday!”

44. Additional outreach opportunities also include citizen participation in research projects . . . as well as workshops

45. 2006 Rocky Mountain Weather and Climate Workshop “Severe Weather in the Rockies” Saturday, May 20, 2006 9AM – 5PM NOAA & NCAR Boulder, Colorado The Workshop is now full. There are currently no more seats available Sponsored by: NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NCAR: the National Center for Atmospheric Research The Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Sciences

46. Learning by interacting. Fun social events where scientists and observers can interact face to face

47. Learning through opportunities to educate the public by volunteering at “special events” Titan Missile Silo “Open House” New Mexico Master Gardner Meeting AMS Weatherfest 2007 The Colorado Farm Show

48. Finally, participants learn that their efforts can make a difference, by seeing their collected data being used by many organizations

49. BENEFITS TO THENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE * Hydrologic Services * Climate Services * Warning Operations *Local Research *Outreach and Partner Collaborations *Environmental and Science Education * CoCoRaHS is able to supplement and enhance the Co-op network by providing a group of highly interested observers. This proves to be a benefit when a forecast office is looking for a new cooperative observer, as there will be a group who is already dedicated enough to participate in the CoCoRaHS network. Drawing from this pool can provide candidates for new co-op observers.

50. Benefits for Climate Applications • identify local precipitation patterns • high spatial detail improves data quality • depth/area/duration extreme precipitation analysis • engineering applications (road, bridges, culverts—design and construction) • Scales and typical patterns of storms for various weather patterns • Radar/rainfall relationships • Drought (improving local perspective) • Hail characteristics • Snow applications—roof loads, water supplies, melting and settling rates • Insects • agricultural production and agricultural management