A nationwide rain and snow reporting network is looking for volunteers in North Dakota to become part of the state’s climatological history, says Adnan Akyuz, state climatologist and professor of climatological practices at North Dakota State University.
These observers will measure rainfall, snowfall and snow depth as part of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) Network. Some observers also measure the water equivalent of the snow after it melts.
North Dakota has been collecting precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) data since the early 1900s in most places. When farmers, engineers, and weather and river forecasters ask for precipitation data for a given location, that information comes mostly from volunteer observers.
“Now is your chance to provide that data and be a part of the state’s climatological history,” Akyuz says. “It’s fun, easy and only takes five minutes a day.”
North Dakota has more than 300 such volunteer precipitation observers.
In your neighborhood, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds already may be measuring precipitation in their own backyards as part of the CoCoRaHS Network, which has grown to more than 15,000 volunteer observers covering every state.
To volunteer to be an observer, go to www.cocorahs.org/application.aspx.