Indiana CoCoRaHS Information

Indiana CoCoRaHS information

Precipitation Observers Needed

Observers are needed in many counties throughout Indiana. Ideally, in order to get the spatial resolution desired, we need 10 observers per county. The majority of counties have less than this. During the past 6 months, ending November 11, 2024, there are three or fewer active observers in Newton, Fulton, Wabash, and Huntington counties. Below is information about the program and how to join.

Quick Links:

Indiana Precipitation Map

Indiana Snowfall Map

Text Listing

What is CoCoRaHS?

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a non-profit community based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure precipitation. The network originated at Colorado State University in 1988 and has expanded to many thousands of observers throughout the United States and beyond. Watch this short video for a great, quick overview of the program.

Who can participate?

This is a community project. Everyone can help. The only requirements are: 1) access to the CoCoRaHS website to submit your report, 2) an approved rain gauge (you can purchase one from the CoCoRaHS Store), and 3) enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions, as well as a desire to learn more about how weather can effect our lives. The ultimate goal of the program is to have one observer per square mile in urban/suburban areas and one observer every 36 square miles in rural areas.

Once trained, volunteers collect data using tools such as a 4-inch diameter rain gauge (see picture below).

Rain Gaga Photo

How does one join?

Visit the CoCoRaHS home page and fill out an application. All new observers in Indiana are encouraged to attend a training session, either a live session/walk-in training session (such as with a county coordinator) or online training via the CoCoRaHS website. Please see the Indiana page on the CoCoRaHs site for more information. Online training slideshows and videos are available on the CoCoRaHS page and on the NWS Indianapolis YouTube page.

CoCoRaHS in Indiana is made possible by: The Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue University and the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis.

Online Training

A recorded online training session for CoCoRaHS is available.

When available, tune in as the Indiana CoCoRaHS team leads training on how to get your station set up, what CoCoRaHS is, and how to participate.

Register for Upcoming Training Sessions:

No training sessions are currently scheduled.