It’s not even Halloween yet, but the cold weather and frost advisories herald the oncoming deluge of winter holiday décor, music and, of course, snow.

What You Need To Know

  • The National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland is looking for more volunteers for their Snow Observation Program

  • Your duties will include measuring snowfall and reporting it to the NWS

  • There are some "gaps" that need filled in the northern portions of the state, and northwest Pennsylvania

  • The data, the NWS says, is utilized for forecasts, snow warnings and advisories and research

If you like the snow, or at least don’t mind trudging through it for science, The National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland is looking for more volunteers for their Snow Observation Program.

These “snow observers” measure snowfall, and more volunteers are needed, especially in some areas where the NWS says there are gaps.

“We could especially use more volunteer snow observers in the snow belt of Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania, where more frequent snows occur due to lake effect,” their website reads.

Here’s some areas of particular need:

  • Lake County, the eastern third in particular
  • Geauga County, the central and southeastern portions in particular
  • Cuyahoga County, east of I-271 and in the southeast corner in particular
  • Medina County, Medina and Wadsworth in particular
  • Portage County, north and central portions in particular
  • Trumbull County, the northern half in particular
  • Mahoning County, the southern and western portions in particular
  • Northwest and North Central Ohio
  • Erie and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania

Morrow County, the NWS says, has no snow spotters and the following counties only have one or two:

  • Wayne County
  • Holmes County
  • Huron County
  • Seneca County
  • Crawford County
  • Wyandot County
  • Knox County

These volunteers are responsible for measuring snow when it occurs and electronically reporting it to the NWS both in the morning and evening. The volunteers also keep data in a log to be emailed to the NWS monthly.

All this data, the NWS says, is utilized for forecasts, snow warnings and advisories and research.

The snowflakes on this map represent snow spotters. (Courtesy National Weather Service)

“Your consistency is an important aspect of the program,” the website reads. “Observers are expected to report twice a day, every day that it snows, for the entire winter season, or as often as possible. All you need is a ruler or yard stick to measure the snow.”

Ohio has had relatively mild winters the past couple years, with less-than-average snowfall, according to the NWS Winter 2023-2024 Review for Cleveland.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a warmer winter this year, with more precipitation.

If interested in becoming a volunteer, email richard.garuckas@noaa.gov and include the subject line “Snow Spotter Volunteer.” NWS asks for applicants's name, address and phone number in the email as well.

Visit the website here for more information as well as maps showcasing areas of need.

Spectrum News senior producer Lydia Taylor contributed to this report.

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