The Catch - Important request at a critical time of year

Dear CoCoRaHS rain gauge team
 
A belated 4th of July greeting.  It was odd here to have no fireworks 
show last night (I know the same was true in many other areas of the 
country).  But it simply was not appropriate given the severity of heat, 
drought and wildfire potential.  There were scarcely any backyard 
firecrackers, either -- a clear sign of public recognition of the 
situation.   Nevertheless, we were able to celebrate with friends and 
family some of what makes this such a great country.  I, for one,  gave 
thanks that we live in a country where so many people love to volunteer 
their time and resources to accomplish important things together.  Our 
mutual rain gauge program (CoCoRaHS) is one small example of that.
 
 
We need more rainfall data
 
We are currently experiencing extreme heat, extreme drought, extreme 
storms, and local floods in various parts of the country.  In all my 
years in this field, there have only been a few others where there was 
this much public, media and commercial interest and concern over 
precipitation (or lack thereof) in so many parts of the country.
 
 
Does it really matter?
 
Yes indeed!  Our CoCoRaHS rainfall reports are a huge and valued 
resource to weather and water forecasters, agribusinesses, researchers, 
teachers, resource managers and many more.  We already have great 
volunteers all over the country, but rainfall varies so much that we 
still aren't tracking it well in many places.  We need more gauges in 
more places.
 


Look at today's (July 5) maps  http://www.cocorahs.org/Maps/  In Wake 
County, NC precipitation ranged from 0 to over 3" in just a few miles.  
Likewise, check out Pima County, AZ (0.05" - 4.32"),  Real County, TX 
(0.19" - 3.74"), Pasco County, FL (0 - 2.95") and Oakland County, MI 
(0.13" - 2.03")  We were able to pinpoint these remarkable local 
variations because we were fortunate to have many volunteers in each of 
those counties.
 
For much of the country we only have one or two reports per county. 
Despite good progress this year, we still have a few hundred counties 
nationally with no active reporters.
 
And now is when it matters most.  This is the time when rainfall is most 
locally variable -- and this is the time when drought is having the most 
acute impacts over the largest areas.  It is also the time when the most 
intense rains tend to fall -- from localized summer thunderstorms.  As I 
write, I am recalling 15 years ago (can't believe that much time has 
passed already) when we had 14" of rain right here in Fort Collins -- 
but other parts of town had less than 2".  If we had volunteers then 
reporting their rainfall and sending in "Significant Weather Reports" 
during the heaviest rains, there is some chance we might have helped 
saved lives that night.  This same situation repeats itself every year 
but in different places.  Our rainfall reports really can make a difference.
 
 
You can help.
 
Here are some ideas and suggestions
 
1)  Many of us are already helping.  Thank you so much for checking your 
gauge and sending in your reports.  Please know, your efforts are 
appreciated.  Also know that the earlier in the day you submit your 
report (ideally by 9 AM), then the more weather and water forecasters 
will be able to use your data -- both when it rains and when it 
doesn't.  We're working on smart phone data entry that will make this 
easier for some of you.
 
2)  Some of us signed up but have never gotten started.  If this sounds 
like you, PLEASE begin now.  This alone could add several thousand new 
observers to the network and that would be AWESOME. It's really easy (at 
least in summer).  If you have questions or need help getting started, 
just send a quick e-mail to info@cocorahs.org    or contact the local 
CoCoRaHS volunteer leader (coordinator) for your area listed here: 
http://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=coord   If you were very 
interested in reporting rainfall but could not join CoCoRaHS because of 
the ~$30 cost of the rain gauge, please let me know.  We have some 
generous sponsors who are helping in these situations.
 
3)  A whole lot of us signed up, got started, but didn't stick with it 
for a whole variety of good reasons.  If this sounds like you == then 
please consider trying again.  It really only takes a couple of minutes 
a day  -- and we're very flexible (report when you are able, and don't 
worry about it when you're away or too busy).
 
4)  Help recruit new volunteers!
      -- Tell your friends and family, especially those who live in 
areas where we have few volunteers.  Ask with some urgency and say 
things like  "CoCoRaHS really needs your help"
      -- If you have contacts at local newspapers, magazines or TV 
stations, see if they would put out a story about CoCoRaHS and how local 
citizens can help.
      -- If belong to organizations such as Rotary or Lions clubs, 
Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Conservation Districts, Watershed 
Stewards, Amateur Radio, and any of a large number of similar 
organizations, tell them about CoCoRaHS and invite others to join.  
Spread the word however you can.
      --  Make use of the CoCoRaHS short animation to quickly describe 
who we are and what we do
  http://youtu.be/M5-sXXg9M30
      --  If you want to give more history about how CoCoRaHS started, 
then view this slightly longer video
http://youtu.be/yHmz5IyjV80
 
5)  Many of us have had to retire from CoCoRaHS.    Thanks, and we hope 
you elect to continue to be a part of our family even if you can't take 
measurements any longer.
 
 
Other CoCoRaHS News
 
The Blog is back http://cocorahs.blogspot.com/
 
The CoCoRaHS water cycle animation is a hit.  



View the Water Cycle video here.
Have you tried CoCoRaHS Facebook? http://www.facebook.com/CoCoRaHS
 
 
Farm News -- Good and sad
 
Despite the heat and drought, we're getting a decent crop of apples from 
our early tree. The apples (and it's always been this way) like to fall 
off the tree about a week before they are ready to pick or eat.  But if 
we get them before they're
too bruised, they make a fine apple sauce.  The last couple of weeks the 
tree has been full of Flickers -- a flock of them.  I never knew that 
flickers flocked, but we've been told they were driven out by the fire 
in the foothills and have been congregating at local water holes (like 
our tree).  I don't now if this is true, but it sounds good.
 
Our goslings are growing up so fast -- fun to watch at this stage of 
life.  Despite the heat, the chickens are still laying quite well -- 
plenty of fresh eggs/
 
Several of you have asked about Angel (our beautiful female Great 
Pyrenees who added many stories to our lives these past few years). 
There's been so much going on and I just haven't felt like talking about 
it.  She left this world a few weeks ago -- hopefully for greener 
pastures.  My plan to show a picture of us together and recount a few 
good memories in the CoCoRaHS Blog soon.
 
 
In closing
 
Nice little thunderstorm this evening -- not enough to make a flood or 
end a drought, but for now the air is fresh and cool -- a great relief 
after many days of heat.  Thanks for your interest in CoCoRaHS.  It's a 
pleasure working with all of you.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Nolan Doesken
Colorado State University