The National Weather Service and Mid-West Farm Report are calling on Wisconsinites to trade “doom scrolling” for data collection by joining CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network.
With over 500 volunteers already active across the state, the program aims to provide the National Weather Service with a high-definition look at local precipitation patterns that satellites often miss.
Cynnara Montag, a volunteer observer from Ripon since 2021, says the commitment is far less daunting than people might expect. By checking a rain gauge in the morning and submitting the data, volunteers help track everything from major blizzards to the subtle onset of summer droughts.
“As far as the daily commitment, it’s pretty low. It’s very important work, but it’s not a huge time investment… so it’s very accessible,” Montag tells Mid-West Farm Report.
The importance of the network lies in the unpredictability of Midwest geography. Montag highlights that even neighbors living a few miles apart can see “vastly different” results, citing a summer storm where she and a friend on the other side of Green Lake saw a two-inch difference in rainfall.
Beyond the scientific value, Montag finds the routine rewarding on a personal level.
“I’m going out in the yard with my coffee every morning anyway. It’s truly just like a couple extra steps to go over the gauge and see what’s in it… It gets you out of bed in the morning.”
For those interested in helping the National Weather Service track the true impact of local storms, registration, visit wisconsinweatherwatchers.org!
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