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NOAA asks for weather watchers' help

By MICHAEL BECKER Chronicle Staff Writer

LIVINGSTON - An accurate precipitation measurement after a storm is often a point of pride in Montana, where even the smallest amount of rain or snow is something to brag about.


 Accordingly, many people have measured precipitation amounts at their homes for years. Some, like Livingston resident Alta LeDoux, have kept weather diaries that span decades.

“I've always been interested in the weather,” she said, having recorded measurements at her home near the mouth of Paradise Valley for at least 30 years.

Now the National Weather Service is asking those dedicated precipitation watchers to share their data with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), a nonprofit weather gathering network that works closely with the weather service.

At the Park County Courthouse on Monday, weather service meteorologist Tom Frieders gave a presentation on accurately measuring precipitation for volunteers interested in becoming part of the network.

“We know there are a lot of people out there who collect measurements, so why not share it?” he said.

Frieders said measurements from observers on the ground are crucial to the weather service's forecasting efforts and weather warnings.

“We're always wanting to know what's happening on the ground,” he said.

Volunteer observers use standard rain gauges to measure precipitation and report their numbers as often as they can - preferably daily - to the network's Web site, Frieders said.

The data is then recorded and plotted on a digital map. Weather service forecasters then use that data to form more accurate forecasts and precipitation totals for areas not covered by radar.

CoCoRaHS is distinct from the National Weather Service's storm watchers, Frieders said. The storm watchers are trained mostly during the summer. Currently, about 130 people in Montana submit data to the network.

Those interested in joining CoCoRaHS can find more information at www.cocorahs.org or call Frieders 652-0851, ext. 223.

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