In a quiet but vital corner of the United Kingdom's climate monitoring efforts, a dedicated network of volunteers continues to play a crucial role in tracking long-term precipitation trends. These individuals, often working behind the scenes, contribute daily to a partnership between the Met Office and the Environment Agency -alongside the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) - helping to maintain one of the most comprehensive rainfall observation networks in the world.
At the heart of this effort is the Met Office’s team of seven Regional Network Officers, who are responsible for inspecting every storage rain gauge across the UK, typically on a three-year rotational basis. These gauges, read at 0900 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) each day by volunteers, provide invaluable data that is shared with both the Environment Agency and the Met Office. The readings help scientists and policymakers monitor changes in rainfall patterns over decades, even centuries, offering insights into climate variability and informing flood risk management.
Yesterday, a special event in the North East of England brought together a group of long-serving volunteers to recognise their exceptional contributions. The gathering, jointly organised by the Met Office and the Environment Agency, saw several individuals receive long service awards with some marking decades of daily commitment to public service.
These awards not only celebrate the volunteers’ dedication but also highlight the enduring importance of citizen science in the UK’s environmental monitoring infrastructure. As climate change continues to reshape weather patterns, the data collected by these volunteers becomes ever more critical.
Their work is a testament to the power of community engagement in science, and today’s celebration serves as a reminder that even the smallest daily actions, like reading a rain gauge, can have a profound impact on our understanding of the world around us.
Written by Karl Shepherdson
Images courtesy of Steve Kritkos
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