“Everybody talks about the weather,” quipped the 19th century American essayist Charles Dudler Warner, “but nobody does anything about it.” Now you can.
The office of the New Jersey State Climatologist is recruiting volunteer weather observers here to join a group of nationwide weather-watchers called the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). And yes, they need people in Verona. The office tells us that while it has had four sign-ups in Verona over the years, only two have ever submitted a report, and the most recent report received was way back on January 25, 2017.
“Adding new observers in your community will provide a detailed picture of rain and snowfall patterns and benefit critical weather-related decision-making,” says David A. Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist at Rutgers and CoCoRaHS co-coordinator in New Jersey.
Volunteers spend a few minutes each day reporting the amount of rain or snow that has fallen in their yards. All that is required to participate is a four-inch diameter plastic rain gauge like the one above, a ruler to measure snow, a computer or cell phone and, most importantly, the desire to report weather conditions.
Volunteers read their rain gauge or measure any snowfall at the same time every day (preferably between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.). Observers enter the data on the CoCoRaHS website or via a smartphone app, where they can be viewed in tables and maps. Training is provided for CoCoRaHS observers through online training modules or group training sessions held at different locations around New Jersey. Those interested in signing up or learning more about the program can visit the CoCoRaHS website. They can also contact Robinson at [email protected], 848-445-4741, or Mathieu Gerbush, assistant New Jersey state climatologist, at [email protected], 848-445-3076.
Photo: Henry Reges/CoCoRaHS
