Volunteer weather watchers needed in Del Norte County

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network (CoCoRaHS) announces it is seeking volunteers across northwest California to join its growing national network of home-based and amateur rain spotters with a goal of providing a high density web that will supplement existing observations.

CoCoRaHS was organized in Ft. Collins, Colorado in July, 1997 following a devastating flash flood. The severe thunderstorm dumped over a foot of rain over several hours while other portions of Ft. Collins received only modest rainfall. The flooding caught the community off-guard and caused over $200 million in damages. The following year volunteers were sought with the intent of doing a better job of mapping and reporting intense storms. The Program has helped meteorologists and scientists develop and derive mapping strategies. Drought reporting has now been added to the volunteer program.

If interested, log on to the CoCoRaHS website (cocorahs.org) and register. A short online training is provided. There are limited supplies of the four-inch rain guage and start reporting. If gauges are not in supply, one may purchase the item for $35 plus shipping.

For additional information, contact the National Weather Service in Eureka at (707) 443-6484.