Monday, January 26, 2015

CISA and CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring Research Project Update: Interviews with SC and NC Decision Makers


In our December newsletter we updated observers on what we've been up to lately.  Throughout the fall, we worked on using the precipitation data and condition monitoring reports you've submitted to CoCoRaHS to create charts, maps and other materials showing how your reports can contribute to our understanding of drought.  In December, we showed them to drought response decision makers and asked how they thought your reports could help them understand and make decisions about drought.  


Our first interviewee was South Carolina State Climatologist and South Carolina Drought Response Committee coordinator, Hope Mizzell. She talked about the importance of CoCoRaHS as a source for precipitation data.  However, she reminds observers to report 0's on days when there is no precipitation as this information is as valuable as data provided when there is rainfall.  Scientists and decision makers like Mizzell depend on observers who can provide local precipitation measurements (including 0's) regularly to understand long-term precipitation trends.

Mizzell also encourages observers to report surface water information (e.g., rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes etc.).

We also interviewed North Carolina State Climate Office Representatives, Heather Dinon Aldridge and Rebecca Cumbie.  Like Mizzell, Aldridge and Cumbie found CoCoRaHS to be a valuable resource for precipitation data and stressed the importance of consistent, long-term reporting. In addition, they used condition monitoring reports about water levels and agricultural conditions. When condition monitoring reports differed from indicators, Cumbie said she deferred to the on-the-ground observations provided by CoCoRaHS observers.

Aldridge and Cumbie appreciate the reports that provide a variety of observations. Those containing information about surface water levels, steamflows, soil moisture, wildlife activity and plant conditions are useful.  However, they rely on different types of information at different times.  For instance, if dryness or drought begins in late spring or early summer, observations about plants might be more helpful than those related to streamflow. This is because plant response to a lack of rainfall is apparent before changes to water levels, making plants an early indicator of drying or drought conditions.

While our interviews reveal some differences in the way South Carolina and North Carolina decision makers use the precipitation data and condition monitoring reports submitted by observers, they all agree on the importance of consistent reporting for yielding usable data that can help them make decisions about drought in the Carolinas.

We will be conducting more interviews with local, regional and national decision makers in the coming months.  By sharing some of their feedback, we hope observers will understand the value of the information they submit to CoCoRaHS and be inspired to submit precipitation measurements and condition monitoring reports regularly.  

 
Here is one of the maps we showed our interviewees.  It shows where concentrations of COOP or ASOS government-owned weather stations exist in the Carolinas (shown in blue) and where CoCoRaHS observers who submit condition monitoring reports are located.  Observers with a star at their location are consistent observers.  This means they've reported precipitation measurements for at least 362 of 365 days of the water year (October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014). This map helps us see where condition monitoring reporters can provide information where government-owned stations are absent.

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, January 19th - 25th - Charleston County, SC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on January 19th by observer with station number SC-CR-88 in Charleston County, SC.  In their report they discuss how wet soil conditions have delayed the scheduling of prescribe fires. We appreciate this observation because we rarely receive information on fire processes through condition monitoring reports.  Also, we like how the observer uses their knowledge and experience as a gardener and volunteer to describe weather and weather impacts in their area.  What are your expertise?  Are there environments in your community you are familiar with?  How can you harness your knowledge and skills to enhance your reports?  Great job SC-CR-88!  We hope to see more reports like this. 

Categories:

Agriculture
Fire
Plants and Wildlife


The soil everywhere, in the vegetable garden and elsewhere, continues to be saturated. This is the traditional prescribed fire season but the places I volunteer have not been able to schedule any burns yet because the fuel is too wet.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Relief from dry conditions

The last few months we've seen a transition from dry to wetter conditions here in South Carolina. Back in November 2014, the South Carolina Drought Response Committee declared the entire state to be in an incipient drought. This is the lowest of the four stages of drought severity used by the committee. This declaration was brought on by low rainfall levels during the preceding months and low stream flow and lake levels. For example Lake Jocassee was 9.7 feet below full pool at the time of the committee's decision.

Luckily, several weeks of wet weather have brought relief from dry conditions and the
committee officially declared the state 'drought free' during their January 15th meeting.

According to Hope Mizzell, South Carolina State Climatologist, "Since many counties were just on the cusp of drought when the Committee upgraded in late November it didn't take excessive rainfall statewide to end the drought. Rainfall totals over the last 30 days (December 15 to January 14) ranged from near normal at places like McClellanville (4.14"), Florence (4.39"), and Sumter (4.25") to much above normal at Hemingway (10.01") and Winnsboro (9.23")."

The winter months always bring a variety of weather to us here in the Carolinas. From sunny days with blue skies like we've seen over the past week in Columbia, to freezing rain, ice and snow like we saw last year at about this time.

Your condition monitoring reports are especially helpful as we keep track of the way these changing weather patterns influence conditions on the ground, particularly as we move from wet to dry or dry to wet conditions.

Happy condition monitoring!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, January 12th - 18th - Watauga County, NC

 Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on January 12th by observer with station number NC-WT-46 in Watauga County, NC. We chose this report because of the variety of information it provides about soil moisture, plants, wildlfe and water levels at their location.  We were most interested in their observation about plant phenology, which is the study of the cycles in nature. Many phenology studies focus on the timing of various phases associated with plant development. In the report below, the observer notes there are buds at the tips of rhododendron branches.  In essence, they are referring to the phenology of the plant.  Observations of plant phenology taken over time can help scientists understand how changes in climate and environmental quality can affect them and what those affects mean for ecosystems and society. Therefore, including this information in your reports have the potential of making them more useful to a wider range of individuals.

The USA National Phenology Network's Nature's Notebook project is another great program that gathers this kind of information. The USA-NPN is a nationwide citizen science program that collects long-term phenology reports from people like you who are interested in the natural environment. This data is then organized and made available to the public for research, education and decision
making.  Check out their website  It's easy to get involved!
 
Thanks for taking condition monitoring to the next level NC-WT-46!  Keep up the good work.


Plants and Wildlife 
Water Supply and Quality

The ground is mostly frozen and it is very muddy wherever it has thawed out. Footing is quite treacherous. There is ample evidence of the resident deer herd from it's frequent and recent trampling in the garden and along the pathways. The creeks are flowing freely with ice buildups along the rocks and the pond is at capacity. Vegetation is dormant with the exception of the conifers. The native rhododendrons also have green leaves and are showing buds at the tips of the branches.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, Jan 5th - 11th - Beaufort County, SC

 Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on January 5th by observer with station number SC-BF-10 in Beaufort County, SC.  In their report, they make several comparisons with yearly totals in their area.  We thought it was interesting how the observer noticed surplus of precipitation over the short-term but a deficit when considering long-term trends.  This report shows how CoCoRaHS can be a valuable learning tool for citizen scientists as well as provide information scientists can compare to historical records to better understand short-term and long-term precipitation trends.  Great job SC-BF-10!  Keep up the good work!


This past week, we received 1.61" of rain, and with a year-end surplus of 4.18" and well above rainfall averages for November and December, we're starting off the new year with a bang! Lagoons are draining, plants and winter gardens have plenty of water. In fact, the past two calendar years now show a surplus of 10.18." However, not to get too excited, the past 8 calender years still show a deficit of 1.12." All in all, lower Beaufort County can boast near normal rainfall for that period of time!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, Dec 29th - Jan 4th - Watauga County, NC

 Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on January 2nd by observer with station number NC-WT-46 in Watauga County, NC.  Like last week's Star of the Week, the observer offers us a really good understanding of how wet conditions at their location through information about soil moisture. We also appreciate the information they provide about water levels.  The fact that areas with little or no water flow are now experiencing substantial flow is a great indicator of moisture in their area. Lastly, we like this observer's documentation of local animal activity, particularly those relating to bears. We rarely get reports about bears from our observers in the mountains. If you live in an area where black bears visit or reside, please report any sightings or news about bear activity related to weather impacts. Thanks for your keen insights, NC-WT-46.  Great job!

Categories

Plants and Wildlife
Water Supply and Quality

The ground is very soggy where it is not frozen over which is largely in areas that are not seeing direct sunlight. Areas that don't see direct sun during the day have ice crystals on the surface. There are muddy areas that need to be stepped over when out walking on the trails. The creeks are full and flowing, even the minor low areas that have little or no water most of the time are covered in water. Deer are seen every day moving about in a large (12+ animals) herd. Their feet are digging up the grass where they walk. A flock of wild turkeys is in the area. Fortunately the resident bear is either in hibernation or has left the area as there are no new signs of him/her.