Click this link to open the e mail in a browser. Click here March 2015 CISA & CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring Newsletter Dear CoCoRaHS Observer, In February, observers experienced a range of conditions across the Carolinas. Some reported dryness while others discussed the effects of winter weather. With the seasonal changes March brings, we may continue seeing a variety of weather conditions and impacts. We begin this newsletter by sharing the latest information published by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Next, we show a new interactive map which educates citizens about King Tides and the threats they pose to coastal areas. We also discuss the value of observers like you by listing the many ways scientists and decision makers use the data you provide to CoCoRaHS. Lastly, we show off some of the exceptional condition monitoring reports submitted to CoCoRaHS in February. And don't forget March Madness is in full swing and we need YOU to help recruit new CoCoRaHS observers! March Madness is the annual friendly recruiting contest between all 50 states to see who can recruit the most new volunteers during the 31 days of March. There's a trophy at stake for the state that recruits the most observers. North Carolina won the award in 2011 and 2012 and South Carolina won in 2008. Check out "In quest of the CoCoRaHS Cup 2015", a great video put together by the creative folks at CoCoRaHS headquarters which includes a cameo of our very own NC State Climatologist Ryan Boyles! In This Issue Drought Update for the Carolinas We Want To See Your Photos Interactive Map Teaches About King Tides CoCoRaHS Observers Make a Difference! State of the Carolinas Quick Links CISA Website CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring Webpage Cuckoo for CoCoRaHS in the Carolinas Blog Follow us on Twitter Visit us on Facebook So, help fill the gaps in the CoCoRaHS network by recruiting a friend or relative to participate this month. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 1/10
And, as always, thank you for supporting in the CISA and CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring Project! Sincerely, The CISA Team Amanda, David, Janae, Katie, Kirsten, Kirstin and Sumi Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments Drought Update for the Carolinas The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows short term (less than 6 months) and long term (more than 6 months) abnormal dryness in the mountains and areas of the Piedmont in North Carolina. Abnormal dryness present in areas of South Carolina during January and February has been alleviated. The map for NC reflects the assessment of the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Committee (NCDMAC) which convenes weekly to determine drought status for the state. Because the South Carolina Drought Response Committee (SCDRC) only meets when conditions become dry, the SC map uses the U.S. Drought Monitor drought designation, which is based on soil, hydrologic and climatic conditions as well as observations reported by contributors. Drought categories (D0 D4) are determined based on what most indicators show in addition to local observations. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 2/10
*Maps created by the U.S. Drought Monitor are typically published every Thursday morning by 8:30 am. Send Us Your Photos! In February, winter weather affected people, plants and animals while signs of spring became more common. We received several photographs from observers showcasing some of these weather impacts and seasonal changes. Interestingly, they show signs of spring while making it clear that winter still reigns. Check out the "Cuckoo for CoCoRaHS in the Carolinas" blog to view them! These photos help us to visualize the impacts you share in your reports. So keep them coming! They are a great supplement to the written reports you submit through the CoCoRaHS website. Unfortunately, CoCoRaHS does not have https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 3/10
a way to upload the photos online, so all photos should be e mailed to the CISA team directly. Photos along with credits and related reports will be used in our blog, website and newsletter. PHOTO SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Please e mail your photos to cisa@sc.edu. Don't forget to include your name, the location and date the photo was taken, and a brief description of the weather or weather impacts that the photo captures. We look forward to seeing how weather affects your community! Interactive Maps Teach About King Tides Each year, North Carolina, South Carolina and coastal areas worldwide experience several weeks of very high tides known as King Tides, the highest tides of the year at a coastal location. They are caused by an alignment of the Earth, moon and sun. This is also known as a spring tide. For a King Tide to occur, the spring tide must take place when the moon is closest to the Earth during its 28 day orbit. King Tides can add 2 to 12 inches to an average high tide. Impacts can range from subtle to substantial coastal erosion and flooding, especially in low lying areas. King Tides give us a preview of the impacts of sea level rise in local communities. This is the impetus behind the King Tides Project, a global non profit organization working to educate the public and provide citizen scientists a way to document local impacts of these events. Working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USC graduate Bradley Dean, created an online interactive map for the King Tides Project. Entitled, "The King Tides Project: Snap the Shore, See the Future" the map helps us visualize the threats King Tides pose to coastal areas. Dean, who earned a Master's degree in Earth and Environmental Resources Management from USC's School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, wants to "bridge the gap between science and coastal management making the science available to the people who are going to use it." https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 4/10
This map shows areas (red) in the Carolinas vulnerable to coastal flooding. Story map by Bradley Dean. MyCoast is a website developed by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) as part of the global King Tides Project. Citizen scientists can contribute to the development of this resource of information for scientists and coastal managers by uploading photos and videos of King Tides events as well as storm impacts to the website. The MyCoast site includes dates for upcoming King Tides in 2015. So, whether you live on the coast or you might be vacationing during one of these events, mark your calendars and be on the lookout for photo opportunities to showcase any impacts you experience. And, of course, be sure to include a description in your condition monitoring report! CoCoRaHS Observers Make A Difference! Every so often, CISA team members invite observers participating in our condition monitoring project to join us for a conference call. These are informal discussions designed to touch base with observers, let them know how we're currently using the information they submit to CoCoRaHS, and to answer any questions they may have about condition monitoring. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 5/10
During our call on February 12th, several observers mentioned how data submitted to the CoCoRaHS website is being used in the Carolinas. Ken Kendall reported that news station WRAL in Raleigh shows rainfall measurements from CoCoRaHS observers during weather segments. Edna Gaston, a Master Gardener in Caswell County, NC spreads the word about CoCoRaHS and condition monitoring at workshops she offers to other Master Gardeners. Darin Figursky, observer and Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh, explained that his agency makes a variety of maps using data from CoCoRaHS and other weather stations. Example of a map created by the National Weather Service Weather Forecasting Office using data obtained from CoCoRaHS as well as the cooperative and automated weather station networks. Darin also noted that severe weather reports submitted by CoCoRaHS observers are helpful for decision making. For example, if an observer reports a large amount of rainfall within a very short period of time (e.g., 3 inches in 45 minutes) the National Weather Service can use that information to determine if they should release a flash flood warning for the community. You can find a link to the "Significant Weather" report form under "Enter My New Reports" in the left column of the page when you are logged on to the CoCoRaHS website. Use this form to report major weather events such as severe thunderstorms or flooding caused by heavy rainfall. CoCoRaHS data is also used by a variety of other organizations. For instance, hydrologists at the National https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 6/10
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use CoCoRaHS data to predict river levels and potential flooding. They also use it to assess snow cover and the amount of water existing as snow in the U.S. and southern Canada. Regional water managers and local water providers use CoCoRaHS data to determine available water supplies and predict customer demands. Researchers use it to understand a variety of issues related to precipitation such as insect population growth trends, climate variability, and potential to assist drought related decision making. Other users include climatologists, scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, insurance companies, engineers, recreationists and emergency management professionals. So just in case you're wondering if the information you submit to CoCoRaHS is ever viewed or used by anyone other than you and your fellow observers, the answer is YES! You are providing a valuable service to citizens and professionals across the country seeking to improve our understanding of climate and weather impacts. Though the condition monitoring reports data is not as widely used as precipitation measurements, the CISA and CoCoRaHS citizen science condition monitoring project may bring more attention to these reports. The data you include in your condition monitoring reports can help us find ways it can be used more broadly. You can see yourself as a pioneer of sorts, helping us to better understand how weather affects society at a local level. Many thanks to all observers. You make a difference! For more information on who uses CoCoRaHS data, visit the CoCoRaHS website. The State of the Carolinas In February, your reports discussed impacts related to winter weather, abundant precipitation, very cool temperatures and other weather conditions. While reading your reports, we got the feeling that some of you are ready for spring! The excellent reports shown here are just a few examples of how weather affected your household and community. You can use the List of Drought Impacts Reports on the CoCoRaHS website to search for and view more great reports. For more examples of great condition monitoring reports check out the "Condition Monitoring Star of the Week" posted in the Cuckoo for CoCoRaHS in the Carolinas blog each Monday. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 7/10
The following reports were taken from the CoCoRaHS website. 2/2 Charleston County, SC Soil moisture in the vegetable garden, compost, and the general area remains very high with standing water in low places. I was in the Francis Marion National Forest yesterday picking up litter and roadside ditches also had standing water. 2/6 Wake County, NC With less precipitation this week than we saw in previous weeks, the ground is starting to show signs of drying out somewhat. The previously very soggy areas of the yard and now just damp on the surface. Plants are largely dormant for the most part with some patches of green grass in the yard. The creek remains full and the water is clear. The pond is also full with a steady flow over the spillway. We saw a small herd of white tailed deer passing through the yard this afternoon. Birds are frequenting the bird feeders along with the usual squirrels and we have three mallards that frequent the pond. 2/15 Caswell County, NC Winter is arriving on gusty winds. Birds are very active, feeders are already empty. Our chipmunk families are also stocking up in anticipation of the pending snow. With these high winds comes the danger of fires spreading. Warnings had been issued. Earlier rains raised the Hyco Lake level to 410.62' and the cove was quite muddy. This happens when there is much rain in a short period of time. It quickly cleared and the level is now 410.47'. In observing farm ponds all seem to be quite full. With a few warm days bulbs began popping their heads out of the soil and a few plants have begun budding out. Everyday I see a few hardy fishermen at the marina. There are still some hardy souls at the campground. Fields have been plowed in anticipation of spring. Seeds have been ordered in preparation for a vegetable garden. Aged firewood is ready to be brought closer to the house to supplement the stack already here. Thanks to the power crews who restored our electricity so quickly. We are fortunate to have a generator and fireplace so all is well. Right now we are all in a holding pattern, just waiting to see what Mother Nature brings next. 2/18 Beaufort County, SC Moisture conditions seem pretty normal. Have seen more yellow rump warblers the past 2 days than all winter. The below freezing temps may have something to do with that. Nonetheless, today spotted first flocks of robins, even though the morning temp was at 26 degrees. Also noticed the first https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 8/10
buds on some Sweetgum trees yesterday. 2/23 McIntosh County, GA This is for the week of 16 22 February 2015. We had two days of rain this week for a total of 0.54 inches. Last week I said we were having a bumpy ride going into Spring. This past week we hit a hard bump that put us back into winter. We had two days of very cold weather for this area. On the 20th, we had a temperature of 22 degrees when I went out to read the rain gauge. By Sunday the 22nd, Spring was back and the temperature was in the high 60's low 70's. I had two trees/bushes that were hit by the cold weather. The Sweet Olive's new growth and almost all of it's flowers are gone. The Ambersweet Orange, even though it was wrapped, it looks like it might lose most of its leaves. On Saturday, I was out uncovering the plants. I was moving the pineapples after uncovering them and I saw my first toad of the season. I think we were both surprised to see each other. 2/26 Aiken County, SC My total rainfall for the month of February has been 4.79", normal rainfall for Augusta, Georgia for the month is 3.94" there were 12 days total this month with observed precipitation. The coldest temperature here was 16 degrees on February 19th and the warmest temperature has been 70 degrees which occurred on February 1st and February 8th. There are no signs of spring anywhere. All the trees are still very dormant and bare. Rye grass that was planted early fall has completely died with the below average cold temperatures. Also Sago palm trees have turned completely brown from being too cold. Overall it has been a cloudy, cold, wet month. Feel free to contact us with any questions. Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments 803 777 6875 cisa@sc.edu www.cisa.sc.edu University of South Carolina Department of Geography 709 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29208 Forward this email This email was sent to abrennan@sc.edu by cisa@sc.edu Update Profile/Email Address Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 9/10
Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments University of South Carolina Department of Geography 709 Bull Street Columbia SC 29208 https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1120109773232&format=html&printframe=true 10/10