CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) -- Sharing Precipitation Data and Climate Research Results

CoCoRaHS is an informal science education project supported by NSF where volunteers of all ages and varied backgrounds measure and report rain, hail and snowfall on a daily basis. The network is currently operating in six states with several others hoping to join soon. The data collected support many research and resource-monitoring activities and are used by many scientists, resource managers and businesses. But the success of the volunteer program hinges on keeping volunteers interested and engaged. Portraying precipitation data in spatial and temporal ways so that volunteers learn along with scientists about storm patterns, variability and impacts is the goal of the program. Examples of how CoCoRaHS precipitation data are collected, verified, archived, analyzed, and displayed will be presented and ideas for future display and communication will be described. There are many possibilities for improving data and analyses to help volunteers better comprehend the significance and applications of the research results they are contributing to. CoCoRaHS makes use of descriptive monthly e-mail updates to keep all participants informed about recent findings as well as an interactive Web page: www.cocorahs.org.