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Science school seeks Vail area weather watchers

Daily Staff Report
Vail CO, Colorado
Special to DailyColorado state climatologist Nolan Doesken will lead a class focused on weather topics for the Gore Range Natural Science School on Friday.
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AVON ” Who needs to glance at the hour-by-hour forecast on http://www.weather.com when you can learn about Colorado’s ever-changing skies and climate trends first-hand with State Climatologist Nolan Doesken? Join Doesken on Friday for “Colorado’s Climate,” a classroom and field-based educational outing offered through Gore Range Natural Science School’s summer adult program series.

The program begins indoors at the Vail Library Community Room at 9 a.m. and continues at Meadow Mountain for an afternoon of applied field learning. Come for the day or stay just for the morning session to learn how you can set up your own weather station and participate in the Community Collaborate Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). The cost of the program is $20 for the morning and $50 for the day. Participants attending the daylong program should bring their own sack lunch.

With more than 30 years experience watching and studying Colorado’s weather, Doesken loves sharing his knowledge and experience with others. Through the simple observation of temperatures, winds, clouds and precipitation, Doesken can describe and explain the connection between weather, water, mountains and nature. Doesken has been with the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University since 1977.



After two decades as a research scientist, Doesken is now most excited about education and involving the public. Ten years ago he founded CoCo RaHS, which involves citizens of all ages in studying precipitation patterns from their own homes. This small, grass-roots effort has spread to much of the country, with thousands of citizens now helping.

Eagle County has incredibly variable storm patterns, but surprisingly few weather stations to track them. But, with the help of backyard volunteers, much headway could be made towards better understanding the weather resources of Central Colorado. The volunteer process takes only five minutes a day, but the impact to the community is tenfold. Data gathered by volunteers provides important daily decision-making information on drought and water supply for agricultural and insurance industries, utility providers, resource managers, teachers, scientists and homeowners.

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Learn more about CoCoRaHS by attending “Colorado’s Climate” with Nolan Doesken. Register for the morning classroom session or daylong program by calling Gore Range Natural Science School at 970-827-9725 ext. 10.

What: “Colorado’s Climate,” a classroom and field-based educational outing lead by state climatologist Nolan Doesken

Where: Vail Library Community Room and Meadow Mountain

When: Friday, starts at 9 a.m.

Cost: $20 for the morning and $50 for the day

More information: Call 970-827-9725 ext. 10.


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