1. Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making
Amanda Farris & Kirsten Lackstrom
Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments (CISA)
A NOAA RISA Program
American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting
January 8, 2018

2. Creating the CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring Program
A pilot project to
test a new way of collecting drought impacts information from citizen science volunteers
build public awareness of drought impacts
advance understanding of the linkages between drought and on-the-ground impacts
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
Tapping into an existing network of volunteers and resources
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

3. Condition Monitoring vs. Drought Impacts Reporting
Weekly observations help to:
Identify early signs of drought
Monitor deteriorating conditions
Determine when conditions begin to improve
Identify any lingering impacts
Photos courtesy of CoCoRaHS observer Christopher Lumpp
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

4. Phase 1
Surveys and Feedback Interviews

5. Project Timeline Phase 1 Evaluation September 2013 – December 2015
Pilot program launched in the Carolinas
68 CoCoRaHS observers submitted 1,572 reports
Evaluation
Observer and decision maker feedback informed revisions to the reporting process and improve access the reports.
Communications with observers to share who uses the information they provide, and how.
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

6. An Iterative Process to Guide Program Improvements
Observer feedback
Knowing how the information is used and by whom is very important to volunteers
This information is communicated through monthly newsletter content, observer conference calls, and in a training animation
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

7. An Iterative Process to Guide Program Improvements
The condition monitoring scale bar was created to help with real time “translation” of the information
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

8. An Iterative Process to Guide Program Improvements
Interviews with decision makers identified a need for improved access to view the reports
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

9. An Iterative Process to Guide Program Improvements
Interviews with decision makers identified a need for improved access to view the reports
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

10. An Iterative Process to Guide Program Improvements
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

11. An Iterative Process to Guide Program Improvements
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

12. Phase 2
Surveys and Feedback Interviews

13. Project Timeline Phase 1 Evaluation Phase 2 September 2013 – Dec 2015
Pilot program launched in the Carolinas
68 Carolinas CoCoRaHS observers submitted 1,572 reports
Evaluation
Observer and decision maker feedback informed revisions to the reporting process and improve access the reports.
Communications with observers to share who uses the information they provide, and how.
Phase 2
October 2016 – Dec 2017
Condition monitoring launched for all CoCoRaHS observers nationally
19,000+ reports submitted
Observers and decision makers provide feedback to support the continuation of a successful national program
Project Timeline
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

14. Who is using the information for drought decision making and how?
“Condition monitoring reports are most important for onset and recovery and seasonal transitions. These are the most difficult conditions to convey on the map.” ~ US Drought Monitor author
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

15. What other types of decisions can be supported by condition monitoring reports?
National Weather Service
Fire weather forecasts
Winter weather warnings
Spring frost/freeze warnings
Source: Christopher Lumpp
Source: NC State University Extension
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

16. Is subjective data a valuable contribution to drought monitoring?
A “convergence of evidence” approach
“I think these reports are indirectly validating what we bring in as far as other data. And it gives you another perspective that is sometimes very hard to capture unless you have people, boots on the ground so to speak, talking with a lot of people to get that same kind of perspective.”
~ US Drought Monitor Author
“To me, it goes back to the question, is *some* information that is a bit subjective better than *no* information? In my opinion, yes!
~ NC State Climate Office
“Although the process can be quite subjective, I rely on the observers to provide the best condition [reports] based on their observations.”
~ National Weather Service
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

17. For further reading
Lackstrom, K., A. Farris, D. Eckhardt, N. Doesken, H. Reges, J. Turner, K.H. Smith, and R. Ward, 2017: CoCoRaHS Observers Contribute to “Condition Monitoring” in the Carolinas: A New Initiative Addresses Needs for Drought Impacts Information. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 98, 2527–2531, 
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting

18. Thank You. Amanda Farris Program Manager
Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments (CISA)
(803)
This work is support by the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Program Office (Grants NA11OAR and NA16OAR )
01/08/2018
Using Citizen Science to Support Drought Decision Making ~ 2018 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting