GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a volunteer weather observation program.
Anyone can participate, and all that’s needed is a rain gauge. Watching a few training videos on the use of the gauge might be helpful.
If a rain gauge is not available, a measuring cup can be a stand-in. However, with the cup, the data will not be entered into the program.
The program started in 1997 after a massive flash flood in Fort Collins, Col. A foot of rain fell on parts of the city, causing a flood.
Since that incident, CoCoRaHS has helped create detailed rain, hail, snow and drought maps that assist meteorologists and community organizers. Without a community effort, these detailed observations would be impossible to make.
In addition to being helpful, observing the weather in this way can be a fun activity for all ages. If interested, click here to get started.
