|
CoCoRaHS
FLORIDA
A Community Collaborative
Rain, Hail & Snow Network
| |
|
Greetings from the Coordinators, | |
Welcome to meteorological spring! In this issue of our quarterly newsletter, we take a moment to recognize observer milestones and share highlights from the network during the past few months, including the historic snow storm in January that affected the Gulf Coast including Florida. March 1st also kicks off our annual CoCoRaHS recruiting contest - now called the "Rain Gauge Rally!" More details on that are below. | |
|
|
Mean temperatures this winter (January-February) were near normal across Florida. December began much colder than normal with reports of widespread frost and freezes across northern parts of the state, but temperatures rebounded during the second part of the month. January was colder than normal with a prolonged arctic outbreak that brought persistent cold temperatures and helped to generate a winter storm that resulted in record-setting snow across the western Panhandle. The persistent cold led to slow melting of snow and ice into the ground, which helped to alleviate dry conditions in the Florida Panhandle. Warm, dry weather returned in February and there were many reports of heavy, dense fog from observers. Winter precipitation was generally below normal for the season as a whole, and drought expanded in the Peninsula in February.
As always, your contributions to this network are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the CoCoRaHS program!
Sincerely,
Emily Powell
epowell@coaps.fsu.edu
Ivetta Abramyan
ivetta.abramyan@fscj.edu
| |
CoCoRaHS 2025 Rain Gauge Rally - New Name, Same Contest! | |
|
With March upon us, it's time for CoCoRaHS’s annual recruiting contest!
The "CoCoRaHS 2025 Rain Gauge Rally" is the new official name of our annual recruiting contest. After testing out "Precipitation Absurdity" last year, voters chose a new name to better reflect what we are hoping for each March - more rain gauges in the field.
Here is the link to the 2025 scoreboard page, where you can keep track of each state's standing throughout the month: https://cocorahs.org/marchmadness.aspx.
As in the previous years, there are 2 categories: “traditional" for the total number of new observers recruited during March, and “per capita” which is population-weighted for each state. The winning state gets to keep the CoCoRaHS Cup for the next year (some have even had the cup photographed with the state’s governor holding it).
Last year 1,884 new observers signed up during March, bringing much needed precipitation observations to many parts of the country. Did you know Florida won the contest in 2017? Help us recruit new volunteers this year to bring back the Cup! You can view a list of past years' totals and champions here: https://media.cocorahs.org/docs/MadnessPast25.pdf.
| |
|
It’s been a while since we’ve recognized your reporting milestones! Here are the latest Daily Observation tallies as of March 4, 2025. We have many stations with more than 5,000 Daily Reports and many more with at least 1,000. Many observers have also maintained at or near 100% data coverage. Thank you for your continued efforts in reporting. Keep up the great work!
5,000+ Daily Reports
| |
|
FL-BV-2
FL-MR-12
FL-BV-1
FL-MN-7
FL-HB-4
FL-LK-3
FL-HB-48
FL-HB-44
FL-PN-6
FL-HB-10
FL-MR-13
FL-HL-12
FL-OK-2
FL-HB-55
FL-LK-5
FL-CY-7
FL-OK-1
FL-BV-13
FL-HB-17
FL-HL-1
FL-PB-12
FL-DV-3
FL-MA-6
FL-PS-10
FL-VL-5
FL-OK-29
FL-MD-7
FL-HB-51
FL-LN-25
FL-CY-3
FL-PB-13
FL-LE-6
FL-VL-1
FL-JF-6
FL-SJ-4
FL-HB-33
FL-SS-15
FL-PK-32
| |
|
FL-BV-23
FL-PS-6
FL-PS-4
FL-VL-3
FL-MR-4
FL-BW-7
FL-BV-20
FL-VL-9
FL-MR-18
FL-AL-7
FL-MR-3
FL-HL-3
FL-HB-29
FL-DV-33
FL-DV-13
FL-SM-8
FL-OS-1
FL-OK-20
FL-PN-9
FL-HB-27
FL-LN-10
FL-WS-1
FL-HN-14
FL-GD-2
FL-MD-22
FL-SL-17
FL-SL-13
FL-PK-39
FL-AL-10
FL-SL-19
FL-MD-3
FL-HB-37
FL-CT-11
FL-PK-35
FL-HY-3
FL-WT-5
FL-OK-15
FL-PT-8
| |
|
FL-PT-7
FL-CR-12
FL-IR-24
FL-ES-15
FL-DV-28
FL-IR-26
FL-BK-6
FL-LE-22
FL-HL-13
FL-SL-22
FL-CR-13
FL-VL-6
FL-MT-1
FL-PB-2
FL-CY-1
FL-PN-34
FL-PK-18
FL-HN-7
FL-HB-40
FL-BK-7
FL-ST-9
FL-DV-42
FL-LV-1
FL-IR-27
FL-PS-7
FL-SR-12
FL-LN-47
FL-BV-6
FL-GD-1
FL-LN-18
FL-CT-8
FL-JK-2
FL-SS-34
FL-BV-38
FL-PN-36
FL-AL-26
| |
3,000 - 5,000 Daily Reports | |
|
FL-PN-17
FL-IR-19
FL-SW-1
FL-BV-28
FL-BV-5
FL-HB-1
FL-HN-8
FL-MA-10
FL-OB-2
FL-JF-7
FL-MD-30
FL-OR-19
FL-PS-43
FL-MD-33
FL-BK-5
FL-AL-31
FL-GC-3
FL-AL-2
FL-LN-41
FL-PT-4
FL-GD-3
FL-BV-36
FL-WT-3
FL-DV-47
FL-SW-8
FL-PS-18
FL-MR-36
FL-GC-8
FL-SS-40
FL-BV-11
FL-PS-15
FL-PT-12
FL-SJ-16
FL-BY-7
FL-MR-32
FL-BY-10
FL-BV-14
FL-BV-47
FL-HB-98
FL-PB-7
| |
|
FL-CH-17
FL-MT-18
FL-CY-25
FL-OK-3
FL-DV-63
FL-LE-37
FL-MD-26
FL-BK-3
FL-CH-15
FL-OB-5
FL-OR-27
FL-BW-76
FL-OR-26
FL-LK-21
FL-GD-4
FL-PB-61
FL-ES-24
FL-CB-12
FL-PB-72
FL-BV-52
FL-MR-20
FL-LB-1
FL-JF-9
FL-SL-11
FL-AL-48
FL-HL-30
FL-MN-23
FL-PN-35
FL-PB-34
FL-SL-33
FL-MD-28
FL-MD-41
FL-ST-8
FL-CH-19
FL-BV-12
FL-LN-55
FL-FR-2
FL-HN-24
FL-ST-26
FL-MN-25
FL-PB-63
| |
|
FL-SM-18
FL-VL-40
FL-PN-60
FL-MD-51
FL-OR-30
FL-HB-114
FL-PB-9
FL-AL-51
FL-CY-37
FL-NS-14
FL-PB-31
FL-HN-11
FL-HB-69
FL-SJ-20
FL-VL-42
FL-VL-44
FL-BV-54
FL-AL-50
FL-CY-38
FL-CH-23
FL-WT-2
FL-MT-21
FL-MR-42
FL-AL-55
FL-BV-59
FL-DV-59
FL-LN-51
FL-VL-29
FL-HN-26
FL-SJ-23
FL-PT-21
FL-FL-24
FL-LN-60
FL-MD-69
FL-LN-34
FL-DV-79
FL-PB-81
FL-BW-67
FL-VL-37
FL-BW-95
| |
1,000 - 3,000 Daily Reports | |
|
FL-SS-47
FL-MD-61
FL-JF-10
FL-VL-38
FL-DV-26
FL-PB-80
FL-MT-19
FL-BW-121
FL-OR-34
FL-MR-65
FL-LK-30
FL-DV-91
FL-MR-57
FL-BW-103
FL-BY-15
FL-OR-40
FL-PN-77
FL-AL-54
FL-PN-71
FL-LE-55
FL-SS-14
FL-LK-28
FL-PB-37
FL-VL-51
FL-PB-87
FL-MT-31
FL-AL-58
FL-BV-72
FL-WK-10
FL-GD-7
FL-SS-52
FL-BV-78
FL-MR-66
FL-MD-59
FL-AL-17
FL-ST-14
FL-MT-28
FL-NS-12
FL-PS-1
FL-BW-131
FL-PN-79
FL-PN-4
FL-PN-83
FL-PN-74
FL-VL-60
FL-OR-46
FL-FL-33
FL-FL-32
FL-VL-81
FL-NS-17
FL-MA-29
FL-BW-137
FL-OR-35
FL-DV-94
FL-HB-140
FL-FL-30
FL-MR-56
FL-PS-51
FL-FL-40
FL-DS-3
| |
|
FL-MT-36
FL-HN-22
FL-LN-72
FL-HM-5
FL-VL-70
FL-PS-49
FL-CH-29
FL-MT-39
FL-LN-74
FL-SM-26
FL-SS-63
FL-BW-4
FL-MA-32
FL-VL-86
FL-HB-141
FL-VL-63
FL-MT-37
FL-VL-84
FL-HN-39
FL-BV-67
FL-ES-39
FL-PB-77
FL-BV-95
FL-OK-41
FL-PN-90
FL-VL-87
FL-VL-61
FL-MR-68
FL-PN-81
FL-VL-89
FL-LK-27
FL-VL-82
FL-PN-87
FL-BV-94
FL-BV-55
FL-WS-3
FL-LE-57
FL-PT-9
FL-VL-90
FL-MT-16
FL-FL-39
FL-PB-98
FL-DV-71
FL-CR-53
FL-SL-50
FL-VL-77
FL-SL-31
FL-SJ-28
FL-CR-52
FL-VL-83
FL-BV-107
FL-SJ-34
FL-SW-14
FL-HN-35
FL-AL-60
FL-WT-22
FL-HB-154
FL-MN-39
FL-CB-19
FL-MT-26
FL-CT-29
| |
|
FL-LV-15
FL-AL-71
FL-VL-91
FL-MT-35
FL-BV-102
FL-PN-94
FL-OR-55
FL-MA-34
FL-VL-71
FL-FL-43
FL-BW-99
FL-IR-47
FL-VL-73
FL-CR-59
FL-PB-70
FL-HN-40
FL-BV-50
FL-CY-42
FL-OK-43
FL-OK-42
FL-MD-79
FL-AL-63
FL-SM-34
FL-BY-22
FL-SJ-33
FL-SM-30
FL-AL-75
FL-LK-31
FL-BV-110
FL-SJ-30
FL-OK-37
FL-SS-59
FL-PS-65
FL-CT-30
FL-PN-99
FL-PN-91
FL-PB-43
FL-OR-43
FL-LK-23
FL-BW-79
FL-CH-35
FL-DV-98
FL-FL-47
FL-NS-21
FL-OR-54
FL-LK-22
FL-BY-24
FL-PK-76
FL-AL-79
FL-DV-50
FL-SM-35
FL-PK-55
FL-PT-24
FL-MT-42
FL-PB-96
FL-IR-50
FL-CY-54
FL-CH-39
FL-LK-36
FL-MR-74
| |
|
FL-HB-156
FL-CT-24
FL-ES-35
FL-PS-73
FL-PN-96
FL-MD-81
FL-LN-80
FL-CB-25
FL-ES-54
FL-CY-55
FL-MD-80
FL-MD-94
FL-FL-49
FL-CY-41
FL-SR-26
FL-LE-68
FL-HB-136
FL-VL-62
FL-ES-55
FL-CH-40
FL-MN-50
FL-LN-78
FL-BW-151
FL-AL-81
FL-OR-61
FL-OK-28
FL-BW-116
FL-PN-104
FL-WS-6
FL-PK-78
FL-ST-35
FL-HL-38
FL-LE-65
FL-CT-35
FL-HY-8
FL-PN-105
FL-BW-155
FL-VL-99
FL-IR-48
FL-OS-31
FL-GL-13
FL-CT-37
FL-CR-62
FL-CR-65
FL-PT-26
FL-ES-56
FL-MN-37
FL-OR-65
FL-OR-62
FL-LK-17
FL-MN-52
FL-OS-36
FL-ST-21
FL-LN-79
FL-MN-49
FL-CB-24
FL-CB-26
FL-IR-51
| |
|
FL-BW-159
FL-VL-103
FL-VL-101
FL-LN-81
FL-VL-105
FL-PT-27
FL-AL-62
FL-PK-81
FL-BV-109
FL-ST-32
FL-MD-42
FL-ES-58
FL-MA-43
FL-LN-84
FL-BY-25
FL-BV-123
FL-MA-41
FL-HL-43
FL-LV-17
FL-SJ-36
FL-LN-11
FL-PN-108
FL-HB-60
FL-BW-162
FL-CH-36
FL-SJ-29
FL-BW-160
FL-SS-75
FL-MN-53
FL-FL-19
FL-PK-73
FL-WT-23
FL-MA-18
FL-CT-41
FL-HY-11
FL-LE-72
FL-MN-60
FL-FL-50
FL-HB-168
FL-BY-26
FL-BV-113
FL-HB-162
FL-SM-39
FL-OS-37
FL-MN-57
FL-BW-167
FL-HB-36
FL-SM-38
FL-CH-34
FL-BW-161
FL-PT-10
FL-FL-38
FL-MD-97
FL-SL-54
FL-LV-18
FL-MA-28
FL-LK-43
FL-BV-125
| |
|
FL-MA-40
FL-BY-23
FL-OR-72
FL-VL-59
FL-FR-8
FL-CH-44
FL-PK-87
FL-BY-27
FL-IR-54
FL-ST-37
FL-BV-126
FL-ES-62
FL-HB-166
FL-GF-7
FL-CH-46
FL-AL-96
FL-BW-148
FL-ES-59
FL-PK-48
FL-AL-97
FL-CR-71
FL-SS-84
FL-MA-17
FL-CH-47
FL-SM-43
FL-MN-59
FL-ST-38
FL-DV-122
FL-SR-30
FL-CT-38
FL-CR-57
FL-SS-67
FL-AL-86
FL-OK-49
FL-PB-116
FL-BV-118
FL-SR-36
FL-BV-111
FL-HB-160
FL-VL-104
FL-PN-115
FL-SM-47
FL-BV-137
| |
Florida CoCoRaHS Program Fall Highlights | |
During winter 2024-25, 52,953 reports were submitted through daily and multi-day reports. There were an additional 26 significant weather reports and 117 condition monitoring reports submitted during the months of December, January, and February. These reports provided near real-time data and post-event data and analysis for use by forecasters and other stakeholders across the state. | |
Fall Rainfall Departures and Rankings
The map below shows the general patterns of rainfall departures from normal from December 1 - February 28 using various station networks, courtesy of the High Plains Regional Climate Center. Seasonal rainfall totals were near to below normal across the state, with exceptions in northeastern Florida, the east-central coast (St. Lucie and Indian River Counties), and the Keys.
| |
January 21-22 Historic Gulf Coast Snowstorm | |
|
On January 21-22, a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain fell across the Florida Panhandle with the highest accumulations of snowfall occurring in the western and northern parts of the Panhandle. The highest snowfall totals reported in the state were between 9” and 10” in the western Panhandle counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa. Among the highest snowfall measurements came from a CoCoRaHS observer! The Molino 7.3 NW station (FL-ES-74) in Escambia County measured 10.0" of snow! These totals rival the current state snowfall record of 4.0” in Milton, Fla. set on March 6, 1954, and a new state snowfall record will likely be announced once data are confirmed.
Locations further east around Tallahassee received a mix of sleet and snow, and places along the central coast like Apalachicola saw freezing rain. Trace amounts of snow were reported in Northeast Florida.
Many station records were likely set during this event as well. Pensacola recorded its highest snowfall ever with 8.9 inches, far surpassing its previous record of 2.3 inches in March 1954. Tallahassee's 1.9-inch total ranked 2nd-highest on record, behind 2.4 inches recorded in February 1958.
The table below shows select snowfall totals, in inches, from 7:00 am EST January 21 through 9:00 am EST January 22, compiled from CoCoRaHS, the Weather Prediction Center, and the National Weather Service.
View an interactive map of snowfall totals from this event reported by our CoCoRaHS observers.
| |
Fall Extremes Across Florida CoCoRaHS
Between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025:
-
Highest seasonal rainfall total: 14.20" in Vero Beach, Indian River Co. (IR-50)
-
Lowest seasonal rainfall total: 1.90" in North Port, Sarasota Co. (SS-59)
-
Highest daily rainfall total: 8.50" reported on February 25 in Key West, Monroe Co. (MN-59)
*based on stations with at least 90% completeness
| |
Significant Weather Reports
Between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025, there were:
- 26 total Significant Weather reports submitted.
- 1 report of Minor flooding.
- 15 reports of snowfall.
| |
Observer Comment Corner
Observer comments are encouraged! Thanks to the many who regularly post comments with their reports. Comments provide valuable context to observations, which can be very helpful to those who later use the observations. Below are a select few of the comments shared during the past few months. We’ll continue to share your comments in these newsletters.
| |
| 1. 12 December, Dade City 5.1 W, Pasco County (PS-81) - 0.28 inches:
"Light rain began at 11:03 and rained for about an hour totaling 0.28 inches. First significant rainfall since 10/10/2024." | | 2. 17 December, Ormond Beach 3.5 SE, Volusia County (VL-5) - 2.03 inches:
"Light misty sprinkles began late morning. Showers became heavier and steadier as day wore on with 1.65" by evening. Another period of moderate rain overnight added 0.38". Total 2.03"." | | 3. 22 January, Pensacola 1.2 SSW, Escambia County (ES-58) - 0.76 inches (liquid):
"Largest daily snowstorm for this station and a record for the City of Pensacola in this historic weather event. The memory of a lifetime for residents here, both adults and children. The City actually pre-deployed four snowplows from the Atlanta area, complete with drivers, to open up main thoroughfares. Event began around 11:00 AM and was continual until around 9:00 PM. Light and fluffy in texture, difficult (impossible) to roll into a snowball. From about 3:30 to 5:00 PM, the snow became a bit wetter. At times, visibility was only 500 to 700 feet. My official total will be 19.2 cm, or 7.56 inches." | | 4. 22 January, Glen St. Mary 4.4 SW (BK-5), Baker County - 1.31 inches (liquid):
"A glaze of frozen rain across the deck, railings, and vehicle. I placed a dowel out, and there was no measurable accumulation. The fun part was getting across the front deck to the rain gauge safely. I had placed a bucket full of sand to spread out to walk on the deck. the rain gauge was all liquid water. No signs of snowfall." | | 5. 22 January, Panama City Beach 0.8 SE, Bay County (BY-25) - 0.55 inches (liquid):
"3 inches of snow measured at this station.1st measurable snow since 1989!" | | 6. 10 February, Tampa 5.1 S, Hillsborough County (HB-10) - 0.0 inches:
"The only thing coming down are the "fog droplets" here at my South Tampa location right now." | | |
Winter Drought Activity
The CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring (CM) chart below shows that dry conditions continued in winter. This chart displays observers' reports of on-the-ground conditions as a percentage of the total number of reports submitted for that week. In December, most local CM reports indicated dry conditions. Reports submitted in January were more of a mix, with more reports of normal and wet conditions in mid to late January, but an increasing number of reports in February indicated dry conditions once again.
| |
Condition Monitoring Reports Submitted by CoCoRaHS Observers
(November 26, 2024 - February 25, 2025)
| |
While drought improved in the Panhandle in January, moderate drought developed in the Peninsula. Drought persisted in February with below-normal rainfall combined with above-normal temperatures during the month. By February 25 (top map below), roughly 4% of the state was in severe drought (D2), 34% of the state was in moderate drought (D1), and an additional 26% was considered abnormally dry (D0), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The second map below shows how drought designations have changed over the past two months, with improvement across North Florida and degradation in parts of the Peninsula. | |
Spring Season Outlook
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center's outlook for this spring is leaning toward a warmer than normal spring on average, March - May, in Florida and the southern tier of the U.S. Winter precipitation is leaning below normal in Florida with drought conditions persisting or developing.
| |
Condition Monitoring Reports | |
|
Are you familiar with the Condition Monitoring reports? This is a great way to let others know about ongoing conditions in your area, whether it’s very wet, very dry, or something in between. This information provides on-the-ground information and is used by water resource officials and others, including the people that put together the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor. Give it a try!
View guidance here: https://cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=condition.
| |
Be a Hero, Report Your Zeros! | |
You’ve probably heard this phrase from us before. We are in the dry season when drought can be quick to develop. Reporting your zeros is just as important as reporting precipitation. Having reports of 0” of rainfall can help define an emerging drought along with condition monitoring reports and other indicators. | |
Mistakes Happen When Reporting | |
It is common to sometimes make a mistake when reporting your measurements. Mistakes can happen when an observer accidentally makes a decimal error, reports a multi-day observation as a daily observation, or tries to backfill a missing observation with 0.00” when there was actually precipitation that day. If you make a mistake, don’t worry. The CoCoRaHS QC team reviews all observations that are submitted and checks them for errors with the help of local and regional coordinators. In some cases, the error can be easily corrected but sometimes we will need to reach out to an observer for more information or for verification. If you are contacted, please understand that we are just trying to keep our observations as accurate as possible. | | | | |
