National rain-tracking network seeks more volunteers on East End

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network is recruiting volunteers on the East End to fill gaps in rainfall data, with Long Island home to about 50 volunteers compared with over 27,000 across North America.

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is increasing outreach on the East End to address sparse rainfall reporting in parts of Long Island. The program, based at Colorado State University, provides precipitation data used by the National Weather Service and other agencies. Organizers say better local measurements help track storms, flooding, runoff and irrigation needs. CoCoRaHS national coordinator Henry Reges recently visited the area to meet local officials and spread awareness. Key points: - CoCoRaHS is based at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and supplies precipitation data to the National Weather Service and other agencies. - The network has more than 27,000 volunteers across North America and roughly 50 volunteers on Long Island. - North Fork and Shelter Island have limited volunteer coverage, leaving some rainfall unmeasured after storms. - Volunteers use a clear cylindrical rain gauge calibrated in hundredths of an inch; the design is approved by the National Weather Service and typically costs about $40. - Volunteer reports can help verify radar readings and inform tracking of floods and drought; participants range from school groups to retirees. Summary: The outreach aims to increase local rainfall measurements so farmers, environmental officials and weather services have more precise data. Henry Reges visited the East End and met with local officials as part of that effort. The article notes outreach is ongoing and that information is available on the CoCoRaHS website. Undetermined at this time.