cocorahs “ volunteers monitoring precipitation in their backyards... filling in the gaps ”......

CoCoRaHS CoCoRaHS “ “ Volunteers monitoring Volunteers monitoring

precipitation in their backyardsprecipitation in their backyards . . . filling in the gaps ”. . . filling in the gaps ”

““CoCoRaHS is aCoCoRaHS is agrassroots, 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 . . .

What Is CoCoRaHS??

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

precipitation right in their own backyards”precipitation right in their own backyards”

Just Precipitation!Just Precipitation!

SnowSnow

RainRain

HailHail

1) Precipitation is important 1) Precipitation is important and highly variableand highly variable

2) Data sources are few and2) Data sources are few andrain gauges are far apartrain gauges are far apart

PR

ISM

: u

sed

by

per

mis

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n

Why CoCoRaHS ??

3) Measurements from many sources 3) Measurements from many sources are not always accurate are not always accurate (especially snow)(especially snow)

4) There is almost no quantitative 4) There is almost no quantitative data being collected about haildata being collected about hail

5) Storm reports can 5) Storm reports can save livessave lives

Our volunteers collect data by Our volunteers collect data by using low-cost measurement tools:using low-cost measurement tools:

4-inch diameter high capacity rain gauges

Aluminum foil-wrapped Styrofoam hail pads

All volunteers are trained All volunteers are trained This helps CoCoRaHS to provide accurate and high quality data.This helps CoCoRaHS to provide accurate and high quality data.

Training may take place at local training Training may take place at local training sessions, by CD or via the Websessions, by CD or via the Web

Volunteers report their daily observations on our Volunteers report their daily observations on our interactive Web site: interactive Web site: www.cocorahs.orgwww.cocorahs.org

DowntownDenver

DIAAirport

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.

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

Our aim isOur aim isto provide the highest quality to provide the highest quality

data for natural resource, data for natural resource, education and research education and research

applications, while providing applications, while providing educational opportunities for educational opportunities for

the general publicthe general public

A Brief History of CoCoRaHSA Brief History of CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS was born in response to the CoCoRaHS was born in response to the 1997 Fort Collins, Colorado Flood1997 Fort Collins, Colorado Flood

The flood pointed out:

1. the extreme local variations in 1. the extreme local variations in rainfall possible from convective rainfall possible from convective storms.storms.

2.2. the important role individuals can the important role individuals can play in measuring, mapping and play in measuring, mapping and reporting precipitation.reporting precipitation.

AA BB

Distance between Distance between AA and and BB = 5 miles = 5 miles

A = 14.5 inchesA = 14.5 inchesB = 2.0 inchesB = 2.0 inches

19981998 TodayToday

A few dozen volunteers in Northern Colorado 4,000+ volunteers in 19 states4,000+ volunteers in 19 states

Active CoCoRaHS Stations: June 2007

Illinois for example

Since December 1Since December 1stst: 502 Observers: 502 Observers

NASHVILLE, TNNASHVILLE, TN

Two Important Aspects of Two Important Aspects of CoCoRaHS CoCoRaHS

High Quality Data High Quality Data &&

Education/Outreach OpportunitiesEducation/Outreach Opportunities

CoCoRaHS High Quality DataCoCoRaHS High Quality Data

Hail Measurement

Accurate Measurements

Rainfall Measurement

Snow Measurement

Drought Monitoring

Accurate MeasurementsAccurate Measurements

Gauge Performance

Trained Observers

Frequent e-mail reminders

Data QC Volunteers

Database of over 2 million daily precipitation measurements

CoCoRaHS data is available in CoCoRaHS data is available in both map and table formboth map and table form

Daily precipitation maps: Rainfall, Hail and Snowfall

Daily data in table form

Albuquerque, NM

Rainfall MeasurementRainfall Measurement

Our maps provide the ability to pick-up local variability in rainfall from

convective events . . .

DIA

Boulder

Downtown

. . . as well as uniformity instratiform events

CoCoRaHS helps with CoCoRaHS helps with flood monitoring as well!flood monitoring as well!

June 2006 flooding in the Maryland/Virginia/DC areaA great example of Citizen Scientists in Action!

CoCoRaHS instantly provides the NWS with data for possible Severe Weather Warnings

Intense Rain Reports

Hail Reports

Possible Flash Flood orSevere Thunderstorm

Warnings issued

Instant Snow Reports

DENCCRAHS

Actual CoCoRaHS Intense Rain Report received at NWSFO

NZUS45 BKOU 051425CCRAHS

Intense rain report from CoCoRAHS spotter:County: Robertson TNCross Plains 3.7 W (number TN-RB-2)Latitude: 36.550248Longitude: -86.74760205/05/2007 09:15 AM local time-2.00 inches so far, with 2.77 inches in the past 222 minsFlooding: MinorComments: Majority of rain fell 30-45 minutes before 09:15.Received NWS Boulder Sat May 5 08:25:50 2007 MDT

All of today’s CoCoRAHS observations are in WRKCCR (WFO Boulder only)Or at http://www.cocorahs.org (click on reports)

Actual CoCoRaHS Detailed Hail Report received at NWSFO

NZUS45 KBOU 120128CCRAHS

Detailed hail report from CoCoRAHS spotter:County: Coffee TNWartrace 6/3 ENE (number TN-CF-4)Latitude: 35.564987Longitude: -86.23062405/11/2007 03:30 PM local timeLargest hail: 0.625 average: NADamage: minor leaf damageDuration: 30 depth:Comments:

Received NWS Boulder Fri May 11 19:28:43 2007 MDTAll of today’s CoCoRAHS observations are in WRKCCR (WFO Boulder only)Or at http://www.cocorahs.org (click on reports)

Hail Measurement

Instant hailstone analysis on-line

Major depository for hail data in the United States

Citizen participation in observing andmeasuring hailstones

Instant Analysis

Volunteers as well as the general public can get instant analysis using our Web site: www.cocorahs.org.

From frequency distributions of hail stone sizes,snowfall totals, or daily precip. amounts a fifthgrader in Missouri can do this just as easily asa climatologist in Colorado!

With two simple clicks of the mouseanyone can produce a frequency distributionof hail stone sizes for a specific county or state

HailstormColumbia, Missouri

March 12, 2006

Snow DataSnow Data

In many cases radar doesn’t measure snow well, while satellite-based products have many limitations.

With our local volunteers CoCoRaHS is providing additional “winter weather” measurement capabilities in many states across the country. In some Colorado cities, there are approximately one CoCoRaHS observer per sq. mile.

CoCoRaHS Volunteers measure both snowfall depth (new and accumulated)CoCoRaHS Volunteers measure both snowfall depth (new and accumulated)as well as the water content of the snowas well as the water content of the snow

Spring Blizzard—Denver, Colorado, April 11, 2005Spring Blizzard—Denver, Colorado, April 11, 2005

DIA

Boulder

Downtown

Drought MonitoringDrought Monitoring

The CoCoRaHS Web site makes it possible for the public and scientists to quickly assess precipitation totals over previous weeks, months and years to identify areas most lacking in precipitation.

Parts of New Mexico went over 4 months with no measurable precipitation from late October 2005 into February 2006.

A series of educational learning opportunities await each new CoCoRaHS volunteer

The “Educational/Outreach”“Educational/Outreach” aspect of CoCoRaHS

Actual data collection— “learning by doing”

They include . . .

Observing daily maps and regional precipitation patterns — learning bylearning by seeing seeing

Learning by using the CoCoRaHS Web page

Learning by Reading the “Message of the Day”

After an observer enters their data, they are greeted by the “Message of the Day”

. . . “The Gauge” newsletter articles . . .

. . .and bi-weekly e-mail updates

“We still haven't had any measurable snowfall in most parts of Fort Collins and many areas of eastern Colorado. In fact, I just checked our official records and it's been 40 years since our first snow came this late (in 1965 it waited until Dec. 13). So, I reckon it's time. I better bring in my hail pad and make sure my snow measurement board is in position and my ruler is handy. Yikes, my funnel is still in my gauge, so I better get that out before Saturday!”

Additional outreach opportunities also include citizen participation in research projects . . .

as well as workshops

2006 Rocky Mountain Weather and Climate Workshop2006 Rocky Mountain Weather and Climate Workshop““Severe Weather in the Rockies”Severe Weather in the Rockies”

Saturday, May 20, 2006Saturday, May 20, 20069AM – 5PM9AM – 5PM

NOAA & NCAR NOAA & NCAR Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, Colorado

Sponsored by:

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NCAR: the National Center for Atmospheric Research

The Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State UniversityDepartment of Atmospheric Sciences

The Workshop is now full. The Workshop is now full. There are currently no more seats availableThere are currently no more seats available

Learning by interacting. Fun social events where scientists and observers can interact face to face

Learning through opportunities to educate the public Learning through opportunities to educate the public by by volunteeringvolunteering at “special events” at “special events”

The Colorado Farm Show

New Mexico Master New Mexico Master Gardner MeetingGardner Meeting

Titan Missile Silo “Open House”

AMS Weatherfest 2007

Finally, participants learn that their efforts can Finally, participants learn that their efforts can make a difference, by make a difference, by seeing their collected seeing their collected

data being useddata being used by many organizations by many organizations

BENEFITS TO THEBENEFITS TO THENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

* CoCoRaHS is able to supplement and enhance the Co-op network by providing a group of highly interested observers. This proves to be a benefit when a forecast office is looking for a new cooperative observer, as there will be a group who is already dedicated enough to participate in the CoCoRaHS network. Drawing from this pool can provide candidates for new co-op observers.

* Warning Operations

*Outreach and Partner Collaborations

* Hydrologic Services * Climate Services

*Local Research

*Environmental and Science Education

Benefits for Climate ApplicationsBenefits for Climate Applications

• identify local precipitation patterns

• high spatial detail improves data quality

• depth/area/duration extreme precipitation analysis

• engineering applications (road, bridges, culverts—design and construction)

• Scales and typical patterns of storms for various weather patterns

• Radar/rainfall relationships

• Drought (improving local perspective)

• Hail characteristics

• Snow applications—roof loads, water supplies, melting and settling rates

• Insects

• agricultural production and agricultural management

2008 – 20092008 – 2009

A Look ahead

Thanks to NOAA Office of Education’s Environmental Literacy Program Grant we will set

out to accomplish the following goals:

The grant will expand CoCoRaHS into more states and use it as a mechanism for community outreach and education.

CoCoRaHS has the goal of expandinginto five to eight new states each year

2008-2009

At least 30 active states by 2009 with a total of 20,000 to 30,000 participants

Hoping to one day achieve one observer every square mile in urban areas and one observer every 36 sq. miles in rural areas.

What about NWS Eastern Region?What about NWS Eastern Region?

September 07

October 2005

October 2005

NWS Eastern Region Active CoCoRaHS statesNWS Eastern Region Active CoCoRaHS states

Maryland: 240 Active Observers Pennsylvania: 200 Active Observers Virginia: 159 Active Observers Wash DC: 7 Active Observers

What about NWS Southern Region?What about NWS Southern Region?

April 07

June 2006

Autumn 2007

NWS Southern Region Active CoCoRaHS statesNWS Southern Region Active CoCoRaHS states

March 2005

March 2005

January 2008

New Mexico: 617 Active ObserversTennessee: 305 Active Observers Texas: 277 Active ObserversOklahoma: 137 Active Observers

CoCoRaHS Louisiana

Official kick-off of CoCoRaHS’sCitizen Science Precipitation

Network in Louisiana

AMS Weatherfest, January 20, 2008

New Orleans, LA

““Giving back to the People of Louisiana . . . Leaving a Citizen Science Precipitation Network”

Foster the development of “state leadership teams”

to support the CoCoRaHS effort.

Emphasis on involving retired scientists and natural resource specialists

Improve CoCoRaHS training materials and volunteer training opportunities

Develop “media teams” in each CoCoRaHS state to become partners with CoCoRaHS leaders.

They will help share our results and entrain new volunteers and sponsors.

Establish a long-lived spatially dense precipitation network in many parts of the U.S.

Provide inexpensive research and service-quality data to supplement existing citizen networks such as the NWS Cooperative Network and local spotter networks

Assist volunteers in becoming confident “citizen scientists”

Our goal is to help them learn how to collect useful data and build their ability to analyze and apply this scientific data/information to help their communities

Increase the availability of timely reports of intense rain, hail and snow.

This will assist the NWS and other entities to improve public safety, hazard awareness and environmental understanding.

Partner with Cooperative Extension through Master Gardener and 4-H programs

Use of an existing education outreach and infrastructure to reach more potential volunteers

Other Potential Opportunities

• Potential value to NIDIS (National Integrated Drought Information System) for enhancing local sub-county scale data on both ground truth precipitation, as well as drought impacts

• Radar and Satellite precipitation estimate verification for improving water supply and flood prediction

And finally . . . Each new storm is a “potential opportunity”

to learn more about precipitation and it’s variability!

Just

5 m

inute

s a

day!

Just

5 m

inute

s a

day! It’s easy and fun!

It’s easy and fun!