Methods of Communication Have Changed

MANHATTAN, Kan. – There are plenty of weather watchers out there -- farmers, construction workers and mothers wondering how to dress the kids for school, often keep a close eye on the forecast.

But how do weather forecasters gather such data as rainfall totals?

“There a number of different methods,” said State of Kansas climatologist, Mary Knapp. “One of the most common is the National Weather Service Cooperative Observation network. This system has been in place since the 1860s.”

Under that system, individuals go out daily and measure the rainfall, and in many cases the snowfall, said Knapp, who runs the Kansas Weather Data Library based in Kansas State University Research and Extension. They use a standard 8-inch manual gauge to report and record their observations.

Rainfall data collection has been relatively unchanged for many years, but communications have been updated, she said. In times past, the reports may have been sent by telegraph with a paper copy mailed at the end of the month. Now many observers report online, with some reporting using a cell phone. Forms are stored in electronic format, although paper backups often are still maintained.

Information about Kansas weather is available on the Weather Data Library Web site: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/wdl/ . “Weather Wonders” audio reports are available on the K-State Research and Extension News Media Web site at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/. 

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