Report Drought

Drought reports play a crucial role in helping the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist (AOSC) provide accurate input to the U.S. Drought Monitor of Alabama. While the AOSC relies on a wide range of scientific data to track drought, public observations offer valuable, on-the-ground insight into local conditions that improve the accuracy and responsiveness of drought assessments across the state.

Anyone can contribute by submitting a Condition Monitoring Observer Report (CMOR). You don’t need to fill out every section—just share what you’re comfortable with. Whether your experience involves agriculture, water supply, recreation, or everyday life, your report makes a difference. Submitting observations regularly, even when conditions seem normal, helps establish a local baseline and makes it easier to detect early signs of drought.

Report now and report often! Your input helps us better understand drought in Alabama.

How to Submit a CMOR Report

  1. Access the CMOR survey
  2. Choose "Submit a Report" on either the desktop or mobile version
  3. Select your state, county, and location preference
  4. Complete the survey questions that are relevant to you
  5. Submit photos of conditions & impacts
  6. Click on "submit!"

Report Rain

Monitoring rainfall is a key part of tracking drought conditions. Precipitation totals and trends help identify areas that are unusually dry or wet, determine when a region may be entering or recovering from drought, and improve the accuracy of tools like the U.S. Drought Monitor map of Alabama.

One of the best ways you can contribute is by joining CoCoRaHS (the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network). Volunteers use a low-cost, CoCoRaHS-approved rain gauge to measure daily rainfall at their location and submit reports online. These local observations help fill data gaps across the state and provide valuable insight into on-the-ground conditions. Whether you're a weather enthusiast, gardener, farmer, or just curious about your local climate, CoCoRaHS is an easy and meaningful way to support community-based science. It’s also a great citizen-science tool to use in the classroom!

Join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network

Best Practices When Using Your CoCoRaHS Rain Gauge

  • Report Every Day: Still record 0.00 inches of rain when it's dry. Every report matters!
  • Timing is Important: Try to check your gauge around the same time each morning.
  • Keep It Clear: Place your gauge in an open area, away from trees, roofs, and fences.
  • Consistency is Key: Daily reports help build long-term rainfall trends across Alabama.