CoCoRaHSCoCoRaHS““Because every drop counts”Because every drop counts”

Presented by

Jim Brewster

Central NY Regional Coordinator

June 3, 2010

Precipitation is important Precipitation is important and highly variableand highly variable

Data sources are few andData sources are few andrain gauges are far apartrain gauges are far apart

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Why CoCoRaHS ??

Measurements from many sources are Measurements from many sources are not always accurate not always accurate (especially snow)(especially snow)

There is almost no quantitative data There is almost no quantitative data being collected about hailbeing collected about hail

Storm reports can Storm reports can save livessave lives

““CoCoRaHS is a nationalCoCoRaHS is a nationalgrassroots, non-profit, grassroots, non-profit,

community-based, community-based, high-density high-density

precipitation networkprecipitation network

made up of made up of volunteers of all volunteers of all

backgrounds and ages . . .backgrounds and ages . . .

. . . who take daily measurements of . . . who take daily measurements of

““just precipitationjust precipitation” right in their own backyards”” right in their own backyards”

4-inch diameter 4-inch diameter high capacity rain gaugeshigh capacity rain gauges

Aluminum foil-wrapped Aluminum foil-wrapped Styrofoam hail padsStyrofoam hail pads

Once trained, our Once trained, our volunteers collect data volunteers collect data

using low-cost using low-cost measurement tools . . .measurement tools . . .

Training is important to assure Training is important to assure accurate, high quality dataaccurate, high quality data

and and reportreport their daily observations on our their daily observations on our interactive Web site: interactive Web site: www.cocorahs.orgwww.cocorahs.org

Volunteer’s Volunteer’s observations are observations are

immediately available immediately available in map and table form in map and table form for the public to view.for the public to view.

DowntownDenver

DIAAirport

CoCoRaHS’sCoCoRaHS’s main focus is to provide: main focus is to provide:

precipitation data . . .

Daily precipitation maps: Rainfall, Hail and Snowfall

Daily data in table form

Albuquerque, NM

This data allows CoCoRaHS to supplement existing networks and provide many useful results 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.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”

CoCoRaHS data is used by manyCoCoRaHS data is used by many

• 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

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?

Active CoCoRaHS Members

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 How Can you become you become part of the part of the network?network?

Simply sign-up on the Simply sign-up on the

CoCoRaHS web pageCoCoRaHS web page

www.cocorahs.orgwww.cocorahs.org

Obtain a 4” plastic rain gaugeObtain a 4” plastic rain gauge(info available on web site)(info available on web site)

Set-up the gauge in a “good” Set-up the gauge in a “good”

location in your backyardlocation in your backyard

Start observing precipitation Start observing precipitation

and report on-line dailyand report on-line daily

Five easy stepsFive easy steps

View the “training slide show” orView the “training slide show” or

attend a training sessionattend a training session

Just

5 m

inute

s a

day!

Just

5 m

inute

s a

day! It’s easy and fun!

It’s easy and fun!