A network of meteorologists in Iowa is looking for some help with monitoring precipitation around the state. National Weather Service Meteorologist Craig Cogil says volunteers can help in just a few minutes a day.
Cogil says the work basically involves checking a rain gauge everyday and logging that information into a website. The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network coordinates the weather observation volunteers in 18 states, including Iowa. Cogil says volunteers can obtain training in a couple different ways.
"There’s an on-line training session at www.cocorahs.org ," Cogil says, "and we will also provide training in person at various locations in Iowa over the next year." Volunteers do not need to meet many requirements to participate, other than an enthusiasm for watching and report weather conditions.
Cogil says they’ll accept help from nearly anyone, regardless of age or education, as long as they have access to the internet. The information collected by the volunteers helps climatologists, hydrologists, water managers, and others monitor drought and heavy rainfall patterns in Iowa.