Sussex County weather buffs: this is your chance to be a part of a national network

SUSSEX — The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network is looking for volunteer weather observers in the area. The network, a nationwide volunteer precipitation-observing network, brought New Jersey into the program in early 2008. The expanding precipitation monitoring program now has more than 10,000 active volunteer observers in 46 states and well over 100 in New Jersey. Based out of the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University, the network is looking to enlist Sussex County volunteers to take a few minutes to report the amount of rain or snow that has fallen in their backyards each day. All that’s required to participate is a four-inch diameter plastic rain gauge, a ruler to measure snow, an internet-connected computer, and the desire to watch and report weather conditions, officials said. Observations from network volunteers are widely used by scientists and agencies whose decisions depend on timely and high-quality precipitation data. For example, hydrologists and meteorologist use the data to warn about the potential impacts of flood and drought. “Weather matters to everybody - meteorologists, car and crop insurance companies, outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners,” according to Nolan Doesken, network founder and national director. “Precipitation is perhaps the most important, but also the most highly variable element of our climate.” The addition of hundreds of New Jersey observations will supplement the current automated New Jersey Weather and Climate Network, said officials. “The wealth of observations provide a much more detailed picture of rain and snowfall patterns than previously possible,” said Dave Robinson, New Jersey climatologist and New Jersey network coordinator. “Rainfall amounts vary from one street to the next”, said Doesken. “It is wonderful having large numbers of enthusiastic volunteers and literally thousands of rain gauges to help track storms. We learn something new every day, and every volunteer makes a significant scientific contribution.” Network volunteers are asked to read their rain gauge or measure any snowfall at the same time each day (preferably between 5 and 9 a.m.). Measurements are then entered by the observer on the network Web site where they can be viewed in tables and maps. Training is provided for network observers, either through online training modules, or preferably, in group training sessions that are held at different locations statewide. For more information, visit www.cocorahs.org.