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- Written by: National Weather Service
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Do you ever wonder how much rainfall you received from a recent thunderstorm? How about snowfall during a winter storm?
If so, you can help an important volunteer weather observing program.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network, or CoCoRaHS, is looking for new volunteers across northwest California.
This grassroots effort is part of a growing national network of home-based and amateur rain spotters with a goal of providing a high density precipitation network that will supplement existing observations.
CoCoRaHS came about as a result of a devastating flash flood that hit Fort Collins, Colorado, in July 1997. A local severe thunderstorm dumped over a foot of rain in several hours while other portions of the city had only modest rainfall. The ensuing flood caught many by surprise and caused $200 million in damages.
CoCoRaHS was born in 1998 with the intent of doing a better job of mapping and reporting intense storms. As more volunteers participated, rain, hail and snow maps were produced for every storm showing fascinating local patterns that were of great interest to scientists and the public.
Recently, drought reporting has also become an important observation within the CoCoRaHS program across the nation. In fact, drought observations from CoCoRaHS are now being included in the National Integrated Drought Information System.
How does one become a CoCoRaHS observer? Go to the CoCoRaHS website and click on the “Join CoCoRaHS” emblem on the upper right side of the main website.
After registering, take the simple online training, order your 4 inch rain gauge and start reporting.
To obtain a rain gauge, volunteers can order through the CoCoRaHS website for $42 plus shipping. They have a limited number of rain gauges to give out if you are able to be a regular observer and there is a limited number of observers currently in your area. Apply with this form.
Observations are available on maps and reports for the public to view within five minutes of submitting them.
The process takes only five minutes a day, but the impact to the community is tenfold: By providing high quality, accurate measurements, the observers are able to supplement existing networks and provide useful results to scientists, resource managers, decision makers and other users.
The CoCoRaHS program also has an extensive list of short YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/user/cocorahs.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Matthew Kidwell at the NWS in Eureka at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The shelter has 46 adoptable dogs listed on its website.
This week’s dogs include “Syd,” a 1 and a half year old male Belgian Malinois mix.
“He is an energetic, affectionate dog who thrives on companionship, play, and comfort,” said shelterstaff. “His playful nature and love for toys, coupled with his excellent leash skills and potential for cohabitation with other dogs, make him a wonderful addition to any home.”
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The storm advisory is in effect through 11 a.m. Thursday, with the watch to go into effect from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
Forecasters said snow accumulations of up to 2 inches are expected above 2,000 feet, while wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour also are possible.
Daytime temperatures are forecast to remain in the 40s until the weekend, when they will edge up into the low 50s. Nighttime temperatures into next week are expected to be in the 30s.
With storm impacts expected throughout much of California through Friday — periods of heavy rain, heavy mountain snow and widespread strong winds are in the forecast — on Tuesday the governor directed the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, to coordinate statewide response efforts, including the pre-deployment of over 400 fire and rescue personnel.
Resources include fire engines, swift water rescue teams, urban search and rescue, dozers and helicopters.
“This is a serious storm impacting much of California, and we all must do our part to prepare and stay safe. We’ve deployed hundreds of fire and rescue personnel throughout the state to support response efforts — but the best way to stay out of danger is to be alert and follow all guidance of emergency officials,” said Newsom.
Cal OES pre-deployed flood fighting and debris flow response resources to Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Glenn, El Dorado, Nevada, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Resources sent to Lake and other counties include 64 fire engines, seven local government dozers, three front loaders, three excavators, six helicopters, 11 hand crews, 36 specialized personnel, eight swift water rescue teams, seven urban search and rescue companies and one regional task force.
Cal Fire also has 242 total engines deployed throughout the state to rapidly respond, including 109 staffed in the Southern Region and 133 in the Northern Region.
In addition, to date, the Cal OES Watershed and Debris Flow Task Force has deployed over 120 miles of protective measures, including 606,576 feet of compost sock, 22,625 feet straw wattle, 7,500 feet silt fence and 7,960 feet of K-rail secured for use by local government partners, the state reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Cathy Saderlund
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — On Saturday, Feb. 22, more than 50 plungers, chickens and supporters gathered for the 2025 Lake County Special Olympics annual Polar Plunge at the Buckingham Homeowners Association Clubhouse.
Funds raised at this annual plunge party support the local volunteer Special Olympics program in the purchase of training equipment, uniforms and transportation costs to attend competitions throughout Northern California.
Lake County Special Olympics currently offers six sports which include basketball, track and field, bocce, golf, softball and soccer.
This year over $18,576 has been raised and Special Olympics has reached its goal of supporting the program for the entire year.
This was the 14th year Lake County Special Olympics has participated in the Northern California Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.
In each of those years, Lake County Special Olympics has been fortunate to have the support of the Kelseyville Lions Club for the after-plunge luncheon and the Kelseyville Fire Department for EMT services to keep our plungers safe. Riviera Foods provided lunch supplies and Debbie Bridges provided our luncheon sweets.
Plungers raising money were supported by many individuals, including sizable donations from the Lakeshore Lions Club, Blue Angels Gas & Food in Clearlake, Clearlake Police Officers Association, Clearlake Police Department, Antique & Classic Boat Club and Profitt Construction.
This fun and enjoyable event is a plunge with a twist. Plungers and teams are encouraged to dress in costume and plunge. Those not able to or brave enough to take the plunge can still join the party as a designated “chicken” and hang out in our very own chicken coop.
Awards were presented included top fundraiser Halena Smalley; top athlete team fundraiser, Saderlund Splashers; top law enforcement fundraiser, Lake County Probation Department; top schools fundraiser, Lake County Office of Education; top community team fundraiser, Lakeport Elks~Lakeport Kiwanis~Early Lake Lions; and top health services team, Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
The best costume winner was John Lahti Jr. and the best team costume went to Team Raccoon, the Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department.
Many thanks to everyone that helped with organizing, set up and take down for the event, including Mary Lahti, Tammy Rund, Robert Saderlund, Eric Saderlund, John Lahti Sr., John Lahti Jr., Buckingham Homeowners Association and the spontaneous volunteers that helped.
Our sincere appreciation to all that donated to your favorite plunger and all those helping bring this event together. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/lakecountyspecialolympics.
Cathy Saderlund is volunteer area director for Lake County Special Olympics.
