The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS): "Hands-On" Science for Communities Right in their own Backyards

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), provides a great platform for communities around the country to participate in "hands-on" science right in their own backyards through the daily observation of precipitation. Volunteers of all ages measure rain, hail and snow using simple low-cost rain gauges and hail pads. These observations are then collected and made available on the CoCoRaHS website: www.cocorahs.org. These data are used daily by many federal, state and community organizations and businesses. Through consistent observation and data sharing, participants actively learn about their climate, their water resources and the impacts precipitation has on their lives and their communities.

The CoCoRaHS Network currently engages over 2,000 volunteer observers in communities across six states and may be expanding to other areas soon.