You’ve been hearing about becoming a rainfall reporter during the National Weather Service’s Rain Gauge Rally. This catchy campaign phrase came from a group of University of Wisconsin-Madison students. Their slogan encourages citizens to become rainfall reporters this spring.
One of those students, Morgan Knilans, shared how the project came to life. “I was very thankful to be part of this class,” Knilans said. “Our professor, Dexter Patterson, connected us with community programs and companies to gain hands-on experience.”
The National Weather Service tasked the students with creating a marketing campaign for March. “They wanted a new, catchy name to replace a previous title that lacked copyright approval,” Knilans said.
The seven-student group spent the semester brainstorming ideas. “We had about two pages of possible names,” Knilans recalled. “It took a lot of creative collaboration to find something that was short, catchy, and accessible.”
After much discussion, the group settled on “Rain Gauge Rally.” The phrase encourages people to set out rain gauges, check them daily, and report their findings. The catchy slogan is now part of the National Weather Service’s campaign, inspiring everyday citizens to become active weather reporters.
“We hope this inspires people to get involved,” Knilans said. “More data means better weather information for everyone.”
To join the network, visit www.cocorahs.org. Volunteers can sign up online or contact a regional coordinator for more information. Reporting is flexible, allowing participants to contribute as often as they prefer.
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