Community Weather Monitoring Matters More Than Ever

As climate change continues to intensify storms, flooding, drought, and other extreme weather events across Wisconsin, reliable weather monitoring and forecasting are becoming increasingly important to community safety and resilience.

At the same time, proposed cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service could make it harder to accurately track and predict severe weather patterns — especially at the local level. This article from the Center for American Progress outlines the long-term risks these reductions could pose for communities across the country.

In response, citizen science programs and community-based weather monitoring efforts are becoming more valuable than ever. One powerful example is CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network), a national volunteer network where everyday people help collect and report local precipitation data. These observations contribute to a better understanding of changing weather conditions and help strengthen local response efforts.

Wisconsin is fortunate to have organizations and institutions working to educate and empower communities around climate preparedness. The Conservation Professional Training Program provides resources, trainings, and educational opportunities focused on conservation and resilience. Their recent initiative, “Weather Watchers: We Need You!”, encourages Wisconsinites to participate in local weather monitoring and connects volunteers with the Rain Gauge Rally effort.

Another important statewide resource is the Wisconsin State Climatology Office at UW–Madison, which offers climate data, research, and tools to help residents better understand Wisconsin’s changing environment.

As is true with many environmental issues, marginalized communities often experience the greatest impacts from severe weather events and long-term climate instability. Urban flooding, rural drought, aging infrastructure, heat exposure, and unequal access to resources all deepen existing inequities.

Building resilient communities will require all of us — neighbors, organizations, scientists, volunteers, and local leaders — working together to prepare for the challenges ahead. Environmental justice and climate resilience go hand in hand, and community participation will continue to play a critical role in protecting the health, safety, and future of Wisconsin communities.

As always, see how you can act now here.