Autumn Knepp

Howard

In 2026, April is the Rain Gauge Rally for CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Snow and Hail Network. I’m encouraging everyone in Centre, Clinton and Lycoming counties to take part. With five minutes per day, you can contribute to a nationwide program to collect precipitation data.

CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit organization. This community-based network of volunteers measure precipitation (rain, snow and hail) across the Northern Hemisphere. Anyone can join, given they buy the official 4-inch manual rain gauge and mount it according to the instructions on the CoCoRaHS website.

CoCoRaHS has four goals.

The first goal is to provide exact high-quality precipitation data on a prompt basis by collecting reports each morning.

The second goal is to increase the density of precipitation data available throughout the country.

Third, CoCoRaHS encourages citizens to heighten their awareness of weather and volunteer weather observing.

Lastly, CoCoRaHS aims to provide learning activities in water and water resources for teachers and educators at large.

Federal, state and community agencies across the United States have access to the results of precipitation reports.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the data to verify models created by meteorologists. Other agencies, like the U.S. Department of the Interior will make land management and conservation decisions based upon recent rain data.

Across the American West, regional authorities can make drought determinations and adjust the release of water resources.

Joining CoCoRaHS is simple.

First, buy the official 4-inch manual rain gauge from WeatherYourWay.com. Mount the gauge on a stable, free-standing pole or post with the top of the gauge at about five-feet high. Ensure the gauge is level and secure. Next, create your account on CoCoRaHS.org. The following morning, submit your first precipitation report!

If you join before midnight on April 30, your gauge will count towards Pennsylvania’s entry in the 2026 Rain Gauge Rally. All states are competing with each other to recruit the largest number of volunteers by state and per capita. Already, Pennsylvania ranks at #19 with nine new volunteers. Help us beat Minnesota, ranked at #1 with 67 new volunteers!

Rain, snow and hail are a daily part of our lives. By spending as little as five minutes per day, you can measure and report precipitation data from your backyard and contribute to CoCoRaHS’s mission.

Read more about CoCoRaHS on their website, cocorahs.org or send an email to info@cocorahs.org for more information.

I hope you consider joining us in helping record the rain today!