UAH supporting Rain Gauge Rally across Alabama to grow Alabama Office of the State Climatologist rain observer network
Rain Gauge Rally is made up of volunteer observers who measure and report rainfall across the nation. Volunteers install an approved CoCoRaHS rain gauge and submit a brief daily report online.
The Alabama Office of the State Climatologist (AOSC), housed at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, is inviting Alabamians to participate in the annual “Rain Gauge Rally” by joining CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a citizen science program made up of volunteer observers who measure and report rainfall across the nation. Each year, CoCoRaHS hosts the Rain Gauge Rally, a friendly competition among states to recruit new observers. The Rain Gauge Rally will run from April 1 - April 30, 2026 and the goal is to have at least one active CoCoRaHS station in every Alabama county.
“Alabama runs on rain,” says Alabama State Climatologist Dr. Lee Ellenburg. “On average, the state receives between 55 and 65 inches of rainfall each year, and our communities, agriculture and ecosystems depend on it. Unfortunately, many areas have experienced periods of on-and-off drought since 2023. We rely on CoCoRaHS reports from Alabamians every week to get a clear snapshot of where rain is falling across the state and where it is not.”
In Alabama, the focus is on expanding participation and improving coverage, with a goal of having at least one active CoCoRaHS observer in every county. Every new CoCoRaHS observer is a part of that snapshot. These daily rainfall reports are used to track storm systems, monitor drought conditions and identify rainfall trends over time. They also provide high quality observed data that are used to improve radar derived precipitation estimates and model performance. The Alabama Office of the State Climatologist relies on these local reports to build a clearer picture of conditions across the state, especially in areas where traditional weather stations may be limited.
Participation is simple and open to anyone. Volunteers install an approved CoCoRaHS rain gauge and submit a brief daily report online. Reporting takes about a minute each day, and the most meaningful data come from observers who report every day, even when no rain falls. A report of 0.00 inches provides valuable information for tracking dry periods and understanding drought development.
Residents who already own automated rain gauges are also encouraged to participate in the Rain Gauge Rally, but you must sign up as an official CoCoRaHS observer and use an approved manual rain gauge for your data to be included on the CoCoRaHS map. This map is the primary tool used by meteorologists and researchers to view and analyze precipitation across Alabama.
The Alabama Office of the State Climatologist serves as the state coordinator for CoCoRaHS in Alabama, and local National Weather Service offices act as regional coordinators. If you have questions or need assistance obtaining a rain gauge, we encourage you to contact your local National Weather Service office.
“We are counting on communities across Alabama to help us meet this goal,” the office said. “Do not let your county be the only one without coverage.”
Residents can sign up today by visiting the CoCoRaHS website, signing up to be an official observer, obtaining an approved rain gauge and reporting daily. Join CoCoRaHS today and help build a comprehensive dataset of rain across Alabama.
