Pope SWCD acts as the local contact for the Minnesota Climatology Working Group to gather daily rainfall information. Dedicated volunteers complete rainfall and weather condition forms that are used to track the ever changing Minnesota climate. Rain and snowfall information is used to provide soil moisture/conditions, track storms, and identify drought conditions as they occur.
Pope County had 10 volunteers participating in the precipitation monitoring program in 2023. Volunteers fill out a form to record daily rainfall/snowfall precipitation using a rain gauge provided to them. These data are sent to the MN DNR state climatology office and are used to track precipitation throughout the state. This information is used to provide soil moisture/drought conditions and helps to track storm/weather events. For more info:
https://climateapps.dnr.state.mn.us/index.htm
If you are interested in becoming a precipitation monitor, please contact the Pope SWCD at 320-634-5327 ask for Kimberly.