Log onto the NeRAin Website by clicking below on the link.

http://nerain.dnr.ne.gov/nerain/

In April 2004, The Middle Republican NRD, along with 12 other NRDs, launched the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NeRAIN), funded in part with a grant from Nebraska Environmental Trust. The mission of the NeRAIN Project is to collect greater and more accurate statewide precipitation data.

How does NeRAIN work?

The project depends completely on local volunteers who report rainfall amounts directly to a Website from their homes. Each volunteer will be given a National Weather Service approved rain gauge and must have access daily to the Internet. The Middle Republican NRD would like an equal distribution of volunteers of all ages and at least one volunteer in each township in the District. Each participant is given a new quality rain gauge, brief training and reporting forms. The gauge is a special unit that is approved by the National Weather Service and is necessary for the work that you will be doing for the network. After you enter your data into the computer, it is transmitted to Climate analysts from the Nebraska Natural Resources Districts, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and other water-focused organizations, who will process the data and prepare detailed maps showing rainfall patterns.

How is NeRAIN data used?

Here are just a few of the ways NeRAIN data will be used:

•  To assist the National Weather Service in learning how storms develop and move across the region, and in predicting flooding and drought.
•  To provide important daily decision-making information for agriculture, industry, home water use, utility providers, insurance companies, resource managers, and educators
•  As a valuable tool for helping to confirm crop damage claims.

The Future of NeRAIN?

Currently, the NeRAIN project area covers 21 of the 23 NRDs. A Nebraska Environmental Trust grant allowed for the expansion of NeRAIN into 8 of the remaining 10 NRDs. Through this program, daily values are put into a map that creates an accurate portrait of the rainfall patterns across the state. The information gained from the project to date has been used by the University of Nebraska and by weather stations both in Nebraska and surrounding states.

How can I get involved?

The Middle Republican NRD is seeking more weather watchers! If you are willing to spend a few minutes each day recording measurements of precipitation using backyard gauges, which will be provided for you, contact Sylvia Johnson at the Middle Republican NRD (800) 873-5613 or sjohnson@mrnrd.org.