Weather observers needed in Logan County

[November 11, 2011]  Volunteers are needed to participate in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network in Illinois, known as CoCoRaHS. Specifically, observers are needed in Logan, Morgan, Scott and Knox counties of central Illinois.

Anyone can participate: young, old and in-between. The only requirements are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions, and a desire to learn more about how the weather can affect our lives.

CoCoRaHS 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. Using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and using an interactive website, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications.

The program began in Colorado in 1998 and currently has nearly 10,000 observers in all 50 states.

Upcoming training and "refresher" training sessions in central Illinois are noted below:

• Nov. 17, 6 p.m., at the National Weather Service office in Lincoln

• Nov. 19, 10 a.m., at the National Weather Service office in Lincoln

• Dec. 7, 6 p.m., in Virginia, Ill.

• Dec. 8, 6 p.m., at the Galesburg Public Library

People interested are asked to contact Billy Ousley or Darrin Hansing at the following email address: [e-mail].

CoCoRaHS in Illinois is sponsored by the National Weather Service and the Illinois State Water Survey.

To learn more about CoCoRaHS and what is needed to participate, visit the CoCoRaHS website at http://www.cocorahs.org/. Click on Illinois on the map for more information on CoCoRaHS in Illinois.

[Text from file received]