Minnesota Volunteer Precipitation Observing Program (MNgage)
Why is the MNgage program important?
Becoming a volunteer observer means you are becoming a citizen scientist and play a key role in documenting how weather events impact your community.
Precipitation is very important and impacts a wide variety of industry, activity and even safety! Data provided by MNgage volunteers' is used to predict crop growth and harvest forecasts, assessing the severity and timing of drought or floods, provides guidance on addressing Minnesota's changing climate and even helps to plan outings like fishing or skiing!
What do Volunteer Precipitation Observers do?
After you fill out the contact form below, Carlton SWCD will submit your information to the MN State Climatology Office and register you as a volunteer observer. Carlton SWCD will then provide you with a plastic 4-inch rain gauge, monthly observation forms , along with information about the MN Volunteer Precipitation Observing Program and directions on how to read, record and submit your measurements!
You will be asked to record and submit precipitation measurements as well as any phenological or weather event observations during each month of the monitoring season. Learn more about MNgage and the Minnesota Volunteer Precipitation Monitoring Program from the MN DNR.