<< Return to 12 Months of Citizen Science Programming
December: Forecasting the Holidays
Activity Type
Weather observation and precipitation measurement activity
Topic
Weather, precipitation, climate, data
Audience
Children, Teens, Adults, Families, Intergenerational groups
Location
Indoors and Outdoors
Materials
CoCoRaHS-approved 4-inch rain gauge, internet-connected computer or mobile device, ruler or yardstick if measuring snow, and optional printed weather observation sheets
Low Tech Options
Practice reading a rain gauge and recording precipitation measurements on paper. Participants interested in becoming ongoing CoCoRaHS observers can learn how to set up an official station at home.
Program Description
Will the holidays be merry and bright, rainy and wet, or maybe even snowy? Put your forecasting skills to the test while discovering how everyday weather observations contribute to science.
CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, brings volunteers together to measure precipitation in their own communities. Using standardized tools and methods, observers report rain, hail, and snow measurements that help create a more detailed picture of precipitation across the country.
During this program, participants will explore the local forecast, learn how CoCoRaHS volunteers measure precipitation, and practice reading a rain gauge. Make it festive by inviting everyone to predict how much precipitation will fall over the holidays, then compare your predictions with real observations!
Use the program as an introduction to ongoing participation. Your library can become a CoCoRaHS observation site, or patrons can learn how to set up their own stations and continue collecting data at home.
Prep & Flow based on a 1 hour event
Prep:
5 min – Review the CoCoRaHS project page and Event Recipe Card.
10 min – Explore the CoCoRaHS training materials and learn how to correctly read a 4-inch rain gauge.
10 min – Look at recent CoCoRaHS observations and the upcoming weather forecast for your community.
10 min – Set up your rain gauge demonstration and prepare a simple holiday precipitation prediction activity.
Event Flow:
5-10 min – What’s the Forecast? Welcome participants and look at the local forecast together. Will it rain, snow, or stay dry? Invite everyone to make a prediction for the days ahead.
10 min – Meet CoCoRaHS: Introduce the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network and explore how thousands of volunteers collect precipitation data in their own communities.
15 min – Measure It: Demonstrate how a CoCoRaHS rain gauge works and practice reading different precipitation amounts. If snow is common in your area, introduce how CoCoRaHS observers measure snowfall and snow depth.
15 min – Explore the Data: Look at recent observations on the CoCoRaHS map. Compare nearby locations and see how precipitation totals can vary, even across the same community.
5-10 min – Forecast the Holidays: Record everyone’s holiday precipitation predictions and make a plan to check back later to see how the forecast and predictions compared with actual observations.
Featured Project – CoCoRaHS
CoCoRaHS
Join a community of volunteer weather observers measuring rain, hail, and snow. CoCoRaHS participants use standardized equipment and methods to collect precipitation observations that support weather forecasting, research, education, and our understanding of local climate and water resources.
Daily
Indoors
Weather, Precipitation, Climate
Program Resources
An Introduction from the Project Leader
Start your event with this short video introducing Stall Catchers and explaining how participants contribute to Alzheimer’s disease research.
Complementary Projects & Resources
Keep exploring the weather all winter long! For additional ideas, check out our January program plans featuring winter citizen science and seasonal observations.
