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CoCoRaHS “Because every drop counts”. Presented by Jim Brewster Central NY Regional Coordinator June 3, 2010. Precipitation is important and highly variable. Why CoCoRaHS ??. Data sources are few and rain gauges are far apart. PRISM: used by permission.
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CoCoRaHS “Because every drop counts” Presented by Jim Brewster Central NY Regional Coordinator June 3, 2010
Precipitation is important and highly variable Why CoCoRaHS ?? Data sources are few and rain gauges are far apart PRISM: used by permission
Measurements from many sources are not always accurate (especially snow) There is almost no quantitative data being collected about hail Storm reports can save lives
made up of • volunteers of all • backgrounds and ages . . . “CoCoRaHS is a national grassroots, non-profit, community-based, high-density precipitation network • . . . who take daily measurements of • “just precipitation” right in their own backyards”
Once trained, our volunteers collect data using low-cost measurement tools . . . Aluminum foil-wrapped Styrofoam hail pads 4-inch diameter high capacity rain gauges Training is important to assure accurate, high quality data
and report their daily observations on our interactive Web site: www.cocorahs.org
Volunteer’s observations are immediately available in map and table form for the public to view. DIA Airport Downtown Denver
precipitation data . . . Albuquerque, NM Daily data in table form Daily precipitation maps: Rainfall, Hail and Snowfall 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.
. . . as well as educational opportunities “Helping to provide the public with a better understanding of weather”
National Weather Service Other Meteorologists Hydrologists Emergency Managers City Utilities -Water supply -Water conservation -Storm water Insurance adjusters USDA—Crop production Engineers Scientists studying storms Mosquito control Farm Service Agency Ranchers and Farmers Outdoor & Recreation Teachers and Students Geoscience education tool Taking measurements Analyzing data Organizing results Conducting research Helping the community CoCoRaHS data is used by many
NWS Applications CoCoRaHS Data can be easily imported into other data display packages. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/gis/kml/
Applications Cont. COCORAHS PRECIPITATION SUMMARY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY 1001 AM EST TUE MAY 25 2010 COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTS THESE REPORTS ARE CONSIDERED SUPPLEMENTAL AND UNOFFICIAL VALUES ARE FOR THE PREVIOUS 24 HOURS ENDING AROUND 7 AM LOCAL TIME .B BGM 0525 E DH07/PP/SF/SD/SW : :COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTS IN NEW YORK : : SNOW SNOW WATER : PCPN FALL DEPTH EQUIV : NY-CY-8 : AUBURN 8.3 SSE * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-OD-26 : AVA 8.0 S * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-ST-5 : AVOCA 3.5 N * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-SY-8 : BRADFORD 3.2 NNE * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-SY-9 : BURDETT 0.8 ESE * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-MD-5 : CANASTOTA 0.9 S * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-SY-3 : CAYUTA 1.6 NW * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-BM-1 : CHENANGO FORKS 3.0 SE * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-ST-19 : COHOCTON 4.5 N * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-OG-2 : DE WITT 1.4 WSW * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-SY-12 : DUNDEE 5.7 ESE * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-SY-11 : DUNDEE 6.2 E * : 0.00 / 0.0 / MM / MM NY-OD-23 : DURHAMVILLE 3.5 NNW * : 0.00 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BGM&product=LCO
CoCoRaHS hopes to one day achieve a network of . . . one observer every square mile in urban areas one observer every 36 square miles in rural areas
June 2006 Flood Rainfall • Radar & Rain Gauge estimate of 6-8” in eastern Broome County. • “Bucket Survey” of local farmers found rain amounts 10” or more. • Looking for new and active groups to support local CoCoRaHS recruiting and retention. • Watershed groups? • Civic groups? • Individuals?
CoCoRaHS NY & PA • Supported by both State Climate Offices • NY State Coordinator: Kathy Vreeland (Cornell) • PA State Coordinator: Paul Knight (PSU) • Local NWS Offices support CoCoRaHS • Each has a Regional Coordinator • Several volunteer local (county) coordinators
How Can you become part of the network? Five easy steps Simply sign-up on the CoCoRaHS web page www.cocorahs.org Obtain a 4” plastic rain gauge (info available on web site) View the “training slide show” or attend a training session Set-up the gauge in a “good” location in your backyard Start observing precipitation and report on-line daily
It’s easy and fun! Just 5 minutes a day!