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
PR
ISM
: u
sed
by
per
mis
sio
n
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!
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