Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network
                      Observations

CoCoRaHS Homepage Illinois CoCoRaHS Precipitation Indian CoCoRaHS Precipitation
CoCoRaHS observations from NWS Chicagos Forecast Area Illinois CoCoRaHS Snow Indiana CoCoRaHS Snow

What is CoCoRaHS?

CoCoRaHS stands for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow network. It is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, snow and hail). The network originated with the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University in 1998 thanks in part to a devastating flood that occurred in the previous year. Since then, the network has expanded rapidly with over 6,500+ observers in 26 states. 

Can I participate?

Absolutely! The ultimate goal of the program is to have one observer per square mile in urban/suburban areas and one observer every 36 square miles in rural areas. Everyone can help, young, old, and in-between. The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can effect and impact our lives. 

 

Once trained, volunteers collect data using low cost measuring tools such as a 4-inch diameter high capacity rain gage (pictured right), snow boards to measure snow, and aluminum foil-wrapped Styrofoam hail pads in some states. Information on purchasing a rain gage can be found via the CoCoRaHS main page. 

4 inch Diameter High Capacity Rain Gage
 
Click Here to Join CoCoRaHS!

How do I join?

Either click on the “Join CoCoRaHS” image to the right or visit the CoCoRaHS home page at www.cocorahs.org to get more information on the program.


  • NOAA's National Weather Service
  • Chicago, IL Weather Forecast Office
  • 333 West University Drive
  • Romeoville, IL 60446
  • 815-834-1435 8am-8pm
  • Page Author: LOT Webmaster
  • Web Master's E-mail: w-lot.webmaster@noaa.gov
  • Page last modified: January 24th 2008 5:22 PM
USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state and local government web resources and services.