Minnesota State Climatology Office Calls on Weather Enthusiasts to Join CoCoRaHS Rainfall Monitoring Network

(KNSI) — Weather geeks and non-geeks alike are being asked to help out the Minnesota State Climatology Office and become a rainfall monitor.

The network is called the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or CoCoRaHs. It’s made up of more than 20,000 volunteers around the country who measure precipitation in their backyards and then submit reports online.

Data from backyard rain gauges is beneficial as rain and snow amounts can vary widely over a short distance. State Climatologist Luigi Romolo said, “A variety of reports is helpful in the same community or area.” He said there are some spots in greater Minnesota with few reporting stations, so “the more we have across the state, the better information we all have.”

Volunteers are especially needed in outstate Minnesota, and they receive training on observing weather trends and submitting reports for precipitation and other weather trends. Training materials are available online, but a standard four-inch diameter rain gauge will need to be purchased as the program doesn’t provide them. However, through CoCoRaHs, they are available at a discount.

He adds that over time, as more volunteers sign up and file reports, the precip maps become more accurate. Romolo adds that it’s a good activity for families, too; it’s educational and “a rewarding hobby for anyone interested in weather or climate.”

Minnesota has won the “CoCoRaHS Cup” for recruiting the most new volunteers of any state for the past four years. “We’re hoping Minnesotans will again come through in 2024 to keep the cup in Minnesota and, more important of course, to improve our state’s precipitation recording,” Romolo said.

To sign up or for more information, click here or contact Romolo at luigi.romolo@state.mn.us.

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