Weather trackers needed for new program

Anyone familiar with Northern Illinois weather knows that storms can produce markedly varied rainfall and snowfall patterns within short distances. Precipitation amounts can be extremely variable. The type of weather can change rapidly, too, as evidenced by January's warm weather and tornadoes, as well as cold, wintry conditions.

To help understand these discrepancies, a new volunteer program designed to increase the number and density of recording locations is being coordinated by the Illinois State Water Survey and the National Weather Service, in cooperation with University of Illinois Extension.

Volunteers are needed in northern Illinois. The program, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, is a grassroots volunteer system of backyard weather observers of all ages working together to measure and map precipitation -- rain, hail and snow -- in their local communities.

To participate as a volunteer weather observer, or for more information, you can attend one of two upcoming training workshops.

The first will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the Kane County Extension office of the University of Illinois, 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

The second workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 17 at the Kendall County Extension office, on Route 47, south of Yorkville.

There is no cost to attend a training session, but registration is required.

To register, call the U of I Extension Center in Rockford at (815) 397-7714 or go to the Rockford Extension Center Web site at web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockfordcenter and use the program registration section to register.

Those interested in attending the Yorkville program can also register by calling (630) 553-5823.

Registrants will be sent confirmation by e-mail prior to the program. Requirements to participate include access to internet for reporting, an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions, and a desire to learn more about how the weather can affect and impact our lives.

There will also be an approximate $25 cost for supplies if someone chooses to participate after the training, but the workshop is free.

CoCoRaHS is a non-profit organization supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation and other contributors. It is a unique, nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, working together to measure and map precipitation -- rain, hail and snow.

By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web site, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications.

Training is required to become a volunteer in this network. It also provides a great opportunity to learn from experts and to meet fellow CoCoRaHS observers.

For details on the weather network or other upcoming training sessions, visit www.cocorahs.org/state.aspx?state=il.