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The Sunshine State Welcomes CoCoRaHS!!
In October 2007, Florida became the 23rd state to join the CoCoRaHS program and we are currently have over 450 active observers and are looking for more volunteers to help with the program.
Florida CoCoRaHS October 2009 Newsletter: http://www.coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center/CoCoRaHS/oct2009news.pdf
What is CoCoRaHS? The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (or CoCoRaHS) is a grassroots, non-profit,community-based, high density precipitation network made up of volunteers from all backgrounds and ages; who take daily measurements of 'just precipitation' right in their own backyards. Given the variable pattern of rainfall over Florida, it's important to understand just how much rain fell in an area. How many times have you heard the rainfall report from an official gauge and thought to yourself: "That's not what I got?"
This is your chance to help. By providing your daily precipitation data, you truly help many in Florida in one way or another- whether it's agricultural interests, National Weather Service meteorologists, forestry officials, water management employees or emergency management personnel.
So, you want to become an observer? It's easy to sign-up to become an observer. You can either click on the "Join CoCoRaHS" logo on the homepage or go here. Once you've signed up, someone will contact you with all the information (station name, station number and login support) you need to get your station up and running. Are you a 'Snow Bird' or just live in the state for a few months out of the year? We're still interested in your observations!
You'll need a few 'tools of the trade' in order to be a successful observer...
- The desire and commitment to help study and learn about precipitation and storms
- A 4" rain gauge and your own unique station number and name
- Training
- Internet access
Need a rain gauge? You can purchase an official CoCoRaHS rain gauge for $30 (including shipping) from the following suppliers:
Before you start, you need to be trained. In order to properly set up your rain gauge and to learn how to accurately read yourrain gauge (yes, there is a wrong way to do it!), you'll need some training. You can readthrough the training seminar online- just click here. We hope to have in-person training seminars in the future!
Want to do more to help? We are looking for volunteers that are interested in helping us out at the county/local level. If you're interested in becoming acounty/local coordinator, please contact Melissa Griffin at griffin@coaps.fsu.edu
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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OBSERVERS CORNER
Want to keep in contact with your fellow Florida CoCoRaHS observers? One of our wonderful volunteers in Sumter County, Mike Blake, has started up a Yahoo! Group for Florida CoCoRaHS observers. It's a general forum to discuss problems, rainfall, and other interesting weather stories. You can sign up at:http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFL1/
Have any interesting weather happen? Or was it just a regular sunny Florida day? A huge thank you goes out to those observers that make comments when submitting your daily rainfall report. The comments you make are reviewed by a variety of people. Sometimes it's for severe weather verification, while other times, weather enthusiasts are just interested in what's happening across the state.
Remember, 0.00" is a valid report. We realize that it takes time to enter your data each day. It may be interesting to measure and report precipitation when there is something in your gauge. But keep in mind that it is just as important to know when and where it DIDN'T rain than to know where it DID. We even care about the trace (T) amounts. Your reports of 0.00" for dry days are greatly appreciated.
Check out the Florida CoCoRaHS Newsletter on Tropical Storm Fay 2008:
http://www.coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center/CoCoRaHS/TS_Fay.pdf
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For more information on CoCoRaHS in Florida, contact one of the State Co-Coordinators:
Melissa Griffin
Florida Climate Center
Florida State University
RM 232 Johnson Building
Tallahassee, FLÂ 32306-2840
email: griffin@coaps.fsu.edu
Pat Welsh
University of North Florida
4567 St. John Bluff Road, South
Jacksonville, FL 32224
email: pwelsh@unf.edu
For more information on coordinators in the state: http://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=coord_FL
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