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 On Feb. 2, 2009, Groundhog Day, Ohio joined 38 other states in using community volunteers to measure and map rain, snow and even hail across the Buckeye state.
State Climatologist of Ohio and the National Weather Service are looking for volunteer weather observers across the state to collect precipitation data for CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.
Ohio weather buffs of all ages and backgrounds can now join a rapidly growing network of volunteer rainfall observers across the country, playing an active role in meteorological reporting and research using inexpensive equipment in their backyard.
CoCoRaHS Partners and Sponsors
Ohio Partners:
CoCoRaHS partners in Ohio include, the office of the State Climatologist (Dr. Jeffrey Rogers), scientists from Kent State University, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Central Ohio Raingage Network (organized by Bob Davis of EMH&T Engineers in Columbus), and the 5 National Weather Service offices serving Ohio.
National sponosors:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a major sponsor of CoCoRaHS. Other organizations have contributed either financially, and/or with supplies and equipment. Click here to visit our growing list of sponsors.
Why your help is needed
"CoCoRaHS measurements can provide a detailed look at Ohio rainfall patterns that can help in flood forecasting, disaster management, and drought assessment," said Jeffrey Rogers, the State Climatologist for Ohio at The Ohio State University. Rogers serves as state co-coordinator, along with Brian Astifan of the National Weather Service in Cleveland. “Precipitation can vary widely across Ohio. Summer storms can drop 4” of rain in one area, with locations just a few miles away remaining dry. During the fall, if a dying tropical system passes through Ohio, the difference between 3” of rain and no rain can be just 20 miles. Even snow amounts can be quite different just across a single county. The addition of even just a couple of CoCoRaHS observers within a county can help to create more complete precipitation maps during any season.”
Training and Equipment
Volunteers will be required to complete a short training course to learn how to make accurate precipitation measurements. Those unable to attend in person may complete our online training program available through the CoCoRaHS Web site.
In order to measure rainfall, a rain gauge will be required, and volunteers will need to purchase one if they do not have one. Volunteers will then make daily precipitation measurements, and enter precipitation data through the CoCoRaHS web site between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM daily.
Once an observer is registered, a coordinator assigns them a specific identifying ID. No personal information is listed on the cocorahs.org site, only the ID and precipitation amount are displayed.
IMPORTANT DETAILS ON BEING A VOLUNTEER (Opens in a new window)
Sign up here
IMPORTANT DETAILS ON BEING A VOLUNTEER
To sign up you will need to complete an on-line application form or contact your state or regional CoCoRaHS coordinator.
Ohio coordinators,and a map of Ohio's six regions, can be found here:
http://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=coord_OH
History, Background Information, and Links
Ohio Volunteer Information Sheet (Download 84k PDF)
Ohio Media Fact Sheet (Download 72k PDF)
ODNR News Release Page
National CoCoRaHS Home Page
http://www.cocorahs.org/
State of Ohio Information Page on CoCoRaHS
http://www.cocorahs.org/state.aspx?state=oh
Ohio Cordinators and Regions Map on CoCoRaHS
http://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=coord_OH
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