National Weather Service Forecast Office

Beginning this October, Florida Keys residents (both year round and seasonal) can aid in the study of rain variability across the Keys by joining the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network - CoCoRaHS .  CoCoRaHS, which had its origins in Colorado in 1998, has spread across the nation since then.  The volunteer collected data will help meteorologist, researchers, and the media see and study the precipitation patterns across the Florida region.  As well, anyone with web access can map the data to their own computer.  Volunteers will be able to see their own "backyard" measurements in relation to other observers.

Local Volunteers are needed now to help grow this network across the Florida Keys.  The main duty of the observer is to collect and report daily precipitation measurements.  Business can also participate.

Please visit the CoCoRaHS web site at: http://www.cocorahs.org to learn more about the program, and if you have additional questions, contact our office either by phone or by sending an email.  Matt Parke, at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Key West, is the CoCoRaHS coordinator for Monroe County.  If you decice to volunteer, you can sign up via the CoCoRaHS website.  We are excited about getting started and I'm sure mny more will be after the word spreads.