With more than 600 new volunteers, Minnesota added more rainfall monitors during the annual March recruitment than any other state and again broke the national recruiting record for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.  This marks the fourth year in a row that the recruiting effort led by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota office of the National Weather Service has broken the national record.

The rain, snow and hail data gathered and reported by volunteers are not only important in tracking weather trends, potential for flood and drought, and effects of climate change, but they also serve anyone who needs daily local area precipitation reports for any purpose.

While the big annual recruiting push is in March, the State Climatology Office is always seeking more volunteer rainfall monitors. Even with so many observers, more are still needed to help fill gaps outside the immediate Twin Cities metro area. Volunteers receive online training on how to observe the weather and how to submit their precipitation and weather event reports. They also must purchase or provide a standard 4-inch-diameter rain gauge (available at discount through CoCoRaHS) and have internet access to submit reports.

To sign up or for more information, visit CoCoRaHS.org or contact Luigi Romolo at luigi.romolo@state.mn.us. The website includes lesson plans for STEM students and instructional videos for all participants.