Transcript CoCoRaHs - James Brewster, NWS

CoCoRaHS
“Because every drop counts”
Presented by
Jim Brewster
Central NY Regional Coordinator
June 3, 2010
Why CoCoRaHS ??
Data sources are few and
rain gauges are far apart
PRISM: used by permission
Precipitation is important
and highly variable
Measurements from many sources are
not always accurate (especially snow)
Storm reports can
save lives
There is almost no quantitative data
being collected about hail
“CoCoRaHS is a national
grassroots, non-profit,
community-based,
high-density
precipitation network
made up of
volunteers of all
backgrounds and ages . . .
. . . who take daily measurements of
“just precipitation” right in their own backyards”
Once trained, our
volunteers collect data
using low-cost
measurement tools . . .
4-inch diameter
high capacity rain gauges
Training is important to assure
accurate, high quality data
Aluminum foil-wrapped
Styrofoam hail pads
and report their daily observations on our
interactive Web site: www.cocorahs.org
DIA
Airport
Downtown
Denver
Volunteer’s
observations are
immediately available
in map and table form
for the public to view.
CoCoRaHS’s main focus is to provide:
precipitation data . . .
Albuquerque, NM
Daily precipitation maps:
Rainfall, Hail and Snowfall
Daily data
in table form
This data allows CoCoRaHS to supplement existing networks and provide many useful results
to scientists, resource managers, decision makers and other end users on a timely basis.
. . . as well as educational opportunities
“Helping to provide the public with a
better understanding of weather”
CoCoRaHS data is used by many
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National Weather Service
Other Meteorologists
Hydrologists
Emergency Managers
City Utilities
-Water supply
-Water conservation
-Storm water
Insurance adjusters
USDA—Crop production
Engineers
Scientists studying storms
Mosquito control
Farm Service Agency
Ranchers and Farmers
Outdoor & Recreation
•
Teachers and Students
– Geoscience education tool
– Taking measurements
– Analyzing data
– Organizing results
– Conducting research
– Helping the community
NWS Applications
CoCoRaHS Data can be easily
imported into other data display
packages.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/gis/kml/
Applications Cont.
COCORAHS PRECIPITATION SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1001 AM EST TUE MAY 25 2010
COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTS
THESE REPORTS ARE CONSIDERED SUPPLEMENTAL AND UNOFFICIAL
VALUES ARE FOR THE PREVIOUS 24 HOURS ENDING AROUND 7 AM LOCAL TIME
.B BGM 0525 E DH07/PP/SF/SD/SW
:
:COCORAHS PRECIPITATION REPORTS IN NEW YORK
:
:
SNOW
SNOW WATER
:
PCPN
FALL DEPTH EQUIV
:
NY-CY-8
: AUBURN 8.3 SSE
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-OD-26 : AVA 8.0 S
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-ST-5
: AVOCA 3.5 N
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-SY-8
: BRADFORD 3.2 NNE
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-SY-9
: BURDETT 0.8 ESE
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-MD-5
: CANASTOTA 0.9 S
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-SY-3
: CAYUTA 1.6 NW
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-BM-1
: CHENANGO FORKS 3.0 SE
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-ST-19 : COHOCTON 4.5 N
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-OG-2
: DE WITT 1.4 WSW
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-SY-12 : DUNDEE 5.7 ESE
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-SY-11 : DUNDEE 6.2 E
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 /
MM /
MM
NY-OD-23 : DURHAMVILLE 3.5 NNW
*
: 0.00 / 0.0 / 0.0 /
MM
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BGM&product=LCO
CoCoRaHS hopes to one day
achieve a network of . . .
one observer every square mile
in urban areas
one observer every 36 square miles
in rural areas
June 2006 Flood Rainfall
• Radar & Rain Gauge
estimate of 6-8” in
eastern Broome County.
• “Bucket Survey” of local
farmers found rain
amounts 10” or more.
• Looking for new and
active groups to support
local CoCoRaHS
recruiting and retention.
– Watershed groups?
– Civic groups?
– Individuals?
Active CoCoRaHS Members
CoCoRaHS NY & PA
• Supported by both State Climate Offices
– NY State Coordinator: Kathy Vreeland (Cornell)
– PA State Coordinator: Paul Knight (PSU)
• Local NWS Offices support CoCoRaHS
– Each has a Regional Coordinator
• Several volunteer local (county)
coordinators
How Can
you become
part of the
network?
Five easy steps
Simply sign-up on the
CoCoRaHS web page
www.cocorahs.org
Obtain a 4” plastic rain gauge
(info available on web site)
View the “training slide show” or
attend a training session
Set-up the gauge in a “good”
location in your backyard
Start observing precipitation
and report on-line daily