Indiana residents know that heavy snow can shut down roads, schools and businesses in the winter while heavy rainfall can lead to devastating flooding during any part of the year.
Volunteer precipitation observers are critical in measuring and reporting daily precipitation, which in turn helps meteorologists and emergency managers protect lives and property from these dangerous weather elements, according to a news release from the National Weather Service.
Kosciusko and surrounding counties are in need of new volunteer precipitation observers to take daily measurements and help keep local communities safe from future devastating precipitation events.
The National Weather Service and the Kosciusko County Master Naturalists will hold a training session for enthusiastic people of all ages to expand a national network of volunteer citizen science precipitation observers called the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network, known as CoCoRaHS. This training session has been scheduled for Feb. 21 at the Kosciusko County Community Building (lower level), 102 E. Market St., Warsaw. Training will begin at 7 p.m. and will last approximately 90 minutes.
Volunteer observers will learn how to accurately measure and report rain and snow via the internet. There is no cost for the training but all observers will need to purchase their own standardized 4-inch diameter rain gauge through online vendors if they decide to participate. Observers in this program are required to use the same type rain gauge for consistent and accurate observations.
CoCoRaHS is a nationwide program, located online at www.cocorahs.org, which offers an opportunity for anyone, young or old, to become a volunteer observer of rain, snow and hail. Data collected by volunteers help local, state and national organizations improve weather forecasts, warnings and response efforts, ultimately helping save lives.
Local television, radio and newspaper outlets can use the volunteer reports to share information from rural and small communities as well as larger cities. Climatologists study the data and look for changing weather patterns and historical trends. Even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses CoCoRaHS reports to help determine if a county may qualify for federal funding after a severe storm, the release states.
Attendance at this training is free and pre-registration is required due to limited space. To register, email Sam.Lashley@noaa.gov or call the NWS office at 574-834-1104.
