Community Volunteers Needed for Hail Research: Join the SEaRCH Project
The SouthEAst REgion CoCoRaHS Hail (SEaRCH) project is seeking volunteers to measure and report hail in their local communities. The initiative aims to help scientists understand hailstone size prediction and melting rates, which are challenging aspects of meteorology.
The SouthEAst REgion CoCoRaHS Hail (SEaRCH) project is seeking volunteers to measure and report hail in their local communities.
Part of a Broader Citizen Science Network
SEaRCH operates as part of the broader Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network. This vital network is supported by prominent organizations including NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation. CoCoRaHS volunteers contribute invaluable data on rain and snow, which is utilized by entities such as the National Weather Service, the Hydrologic Prediction Center, and research scientists.
Real-World Impact: Volunteer Reports Fuel Research
Volunteers like Jeremy Kichler submit crucial hail reports, often including photos and detailed observations, after storms. Kichler, for instance, reported hailstones ranging from 0.5 to two inches in diameter on June 14, 2023, which caused damage in his neighborhood. NASA scientists integrate these reports with satellite data and hail melt profiles to model how hailstones melt once they fall below freezing levels.
How to Participate
Joining the hail reporting effort is straightforward. Participation in hail reporting requires only a smartphone and the free CoCoRaHS mobile app. For those interested in also contributing rain and snow reports, a National Weather Service-approved manual gauge is necessary. Further information on how to join this impactful project is readily available on the NASA Citizen Science website.