The National Weather Service is seeking weather enthusiasts in Connecticut to volunteer to report rainfall and snowfall totals through CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network.

"All you need to join is a rain gauge, a PC or smartphone app to report online, and an interest in observing the weather. It's something that the entire family can do together!" the National Weather Service said in a news release.

CoCoRaHS "is one of the largest citizen-science networks in the country, consisting of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who measure precipitation. CoCoRaHS reports are used by the NWS, federal and state water resource officials, climatologists, researchers, and more," according to the release.

"Reporting rainfall and snowfall just takes a few minutes each day but makes a giant impact upon the millions that depend upon water," the National Weather Service stated. "You can learn more about rainfall patterns for your own garden or compare your totals with others in your town, state, or the entire country."

The National Weather Service said reports from the volunteers provide more information to researchers studying rainfall and snow patterns and were crucial in determine drought conditions last summer through the winter.

People can sign up by going to www.cocorahs.org and clicking on the "Join CoCoRaHS" box on the upper right side. After registering, people can take the online training, order a 4-inch diameter rain gauge, and start reporting. The plastic rain gauge can be purchased for about $35 plus shipping.