WANTED: Weather Watchers

The Upper Loup NRD is in need of NeRAIN volunteers in all of our Counties (Grant, Hooker, Blaine, Brown, Cherry, Thomas, Logan, and McPherson). It only takes a few minutes a day to record measurements using backyard gauges provided to you at no cost. Some of you already collect this information on your own but you can now become part of the NeRAIN network that will affect local, state, and even National Weather Service reporting.

NeRAIN is an acronym that stands for the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network. This is a project that records and monitors precipitation trends across the state and has been funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust. Information gained is used for decision making in agriculture, industry, home water use, utility providers, insurance companies, resource managers, and educators. Nebraska has continued to battle drought in recent years and the NeRAIN project is one of many that help to expand our knowledge on the impact that precipitation events have on individual watersheds within Nebraska.

The Upper Loup NRD is providing participants with high quality precision rain gauges at no cost. In return, participants record precipitation measurements such as hail, rain and snow. Observers will also be asked to keep notes on storm details and characteristics and related weather conditions. The precipitation reports will be transmitted by computer using a web site designed to allow you to enter your precip data. For the data to be considered accurate and precise volunteers must understand that this is a long-term commitment of daily reporting.

To be a part of this unique project and to get your rain gauge contact the ULNRD office at 308-645-2250 and ask for Jake.