If you’re a rainwater harvester, there’s nothing like the sound of rain on the roof.
Being the quantitative type, I’m not content to just listen to the rain. I want to measure it.
That’s why I keep a rain gauge on duty in my backyard. It’s shown in the photo above.
This is the gauge that members of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) are required to use. I’ve been a member since 2019.
According to the organization’s website, “CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz) is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow) in their local communities.”
Since I’m in southern Arizona, my CoCoRaHS report will consist of a long string of zeroes, a rainfall quantity, and then another bunch of goose eggs. That’s why I refer to my daily reporting as “CoCo-NADA.”
I’m also a member of RainLog.org, which is more flexible on rain gauge types and only requires reports of actual rainfall.
Q: Why do these programs exist?
A: First, and most important, to gather weather data. After collection, it’s used in national and global climate monitoring.
Volunteer-based weather data gathering is especially important in the western United States. Like many of its neighboring states, Arizona has very few official rain gauges. This can pose a problem during our summer monsoon season, which has highly variable – and localized – rainfall.
You’ve probably experienced this problem when you hear someone bragging about all the rain at her house. Meanwhile, your place has been bone dry for the past six weeks.
The second reason? Education. Both programs attract a lot of teachers, who create rain gauge-based math and science lessons for their students.
You can join these programs via their websites, www.CoCoRaHS.org and RainLog.org.
Another Learning Opportunity!
Check out Martha’s new audiobook and eBook, Water Harvesting 101. It will help you get your water harvesting journey off to a strong start.