By Karen Gotter, Watershed Coordinator
With the rain events we’ve had already this spring, it will be no surprise when spring brings even more eye-opening weather events. The weather is constant source of conversation in our office, and in most rural communities, which is why Holmes County residents are already the perfect weather reporters!
We are partnering with Richland and Ashland County SWCDs to bring a training day to anyone interested in gathering and sharing local weather data. The Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network – CoCoRaHS for short – is a website and weather network that gathers information from a volunteer network of weather-watchers. However, you don’t need to have internet connection to still participate in the collection of data for this project.
From the CoCoRaHS website:
This is a community project. Everyone can help, young, old, and in-between. The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives.
What will our volunteer observers be doing?
Each time a rain, hail or snow storm crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible (see equipment). These precipitation reports are then recorded on the Web site www.cocorahs.org. The data are then displayed and organized for many of our users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards.
Who uses CoCoRaHS?
CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water), insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor & recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit our Web site and use our data.
What do we hope to accomplish?
CoCoRaHS has several goals: 1) Provide accurate high-quality precipitation data for our many end users on a timely basis; 2) Increasing the density of precipitation data available throughout the country by encouraging volunteer weather observing; 3) Encouraging citizens to have fun participating in meteorological science and heightening their awareness about weather; 4) Providing enrichment activities in water and weather resources for teachers, educators, and the community at large.
At our workshop on Saturday, April 1, participants will learn what’s involved in becoming a CoCoRaHS precipitation monitor or river ice spotter, and will participate in interactive stormwater management scenarios. Free rain gauges will be available to participants!
Please consider joining us for this opportunity. You can RSVP to Ashland SWCD at 419-281-7645.
When: April 1, 1:00 pm
Where: Mohican Country Market, Loudonville, Ohio
We’d also like to get your attention about another upcoming information and training event for a new initiative we are launching: A Women Owning Woodlands (or WOW) workshop will be held Wednesday, April 13, at the Holmes County Home. These kinds of groups are useful to share perspectives from “Peers and Pros”, where women who are familiar with the kind of work that needs to be done on their forest property can learn from each other, and ask questions of resource professionals.
After our introductory presentations, we will be learning how and when to use some of the regular tools used in woodland management. We will get practice using these tools on the Holmes County Trail (near the Holmesville trailhead) working on invasive species identification and treatments. More information will be forthcoming, so stay tuned, or contact Holmes SWCD if you are interested in participating!