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Community Weather Involvement Program (CWIP)
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Saved CWIP Reports in Tabular Form
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CWIP Reports are for the previous days information. (Ex. A report for October 31st would show the highs from the 30th, lows from the morning of the 31st, and precipitation from 7am on the 30th through 7 am on the 31st.)
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Graphical Maps of CWIP Data
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VOLUNTEER WEATHER OBSERVATION REPORT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO 930 AM CDT SUN SEP 21 2008 MAX MIN COUNTY LOCATION TEMP TEMP PRECIP SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BARRY ROARING RIVER SP 80 60 0.00 BENTON EDWARDS 6W 78 60 0.00 BARTON MINDENMINES 80 58 0.00 DENSE FOG DOUGLAS AVA 75 61 0.00 FOG HICKORY CROSS TIMBERS 2N 77 57 0.00 DENSE FOG HOWELL WEST PLAINS 5SW 75 61 T JASPER SARCOXIE 1W 80 59 0.00 DENSE FOG LACLEDE 1 SE MORGAN 72 63 0.28 LAWRENCE MILLER 79 62 0.00 DENSE FOG MORGAN GRAVOIS MILLS 79 57 0.00 LIGHT FOG NEWTON NEOSHO 5W 82 60 0.00 LIGHT FOG OZARK NOBLE 1S 80 63 0.00 DENSE FOG OZARK DORA 77 62 0.00 STONE CRANE 4N 79 56 0.00 FOG TEXAS ROBY 84 68 0.00 TEXAS CABOOL 2NW 72 61 0.00 LIGHT FOG WEBSTER NIANGUA 77 62 0.05
About CWIP
MISSION: To develop a dense network of volunteer observers who will provide daily or real- time reports of incremental rainfall, snow amounts, freezing rain, flooding, storm damage reports and assessment, dense fog, and, high/lo temperatures.
GOAL: To provide the most accurate and timely county/community level hydrometeorological forecasts and warnings to our Customers.
We now have nearly 100 volunteer weather observers in the 37 counties in southwest and south central Missouri and southeast Kansas that make up our County Warning Area.
One of the most important goals of the CWIP program is to obtain real time severe weather reports during a severe weather event. The development of the CWIP volunteer observer network has greatly increased the density of weather observers, especially in rural areas. Because most of the CWIP observers already have an interest in the weather, many are willing to be contacted at any time, including the middle of the night when it is especially hard to obtain real time reports. This greatly increases nighttime storm information and verification.
Routine Daily Uses of CWIP Reports
One of the main office goals for uses of the CWIP data is to more tightly integrate the data into the temperature and precipitation verification program. CWIP data combined with data from ASOS and NWS Cooperative Observer sites, will allow our office to greatly improve our forecast services to the public.
A. Temperature
Incoming temperature data for each day is checked before entered into our CWIP database. The data is checked with surrounding airport observations, and any "sore thumb" readings are usually flagged and discounted if there is not enough sound evidence to support it. A 5 to 7 degree threshold is generally allowed for high and low temperatures when compared against ASOS or an official observation station. This large threshold is needed because of the varying topography within the NWSO Springfield CWA. If a reported temperature is flagged for an error, the error is noted and a courtesy call may be made to see why the report may be in error and to see what can be done to alleviate the problem.
B. Precipitation
A 24-hour rainfall (7 am - 7 am) is also reported each morning from the CWIP observers. In addition, if an observer receives more than 1 inch of rain they can call in that report anytime. Quality control of the precipitation reports involves comparing the data against the Storm Total Precipitation, Three Hourly Precipitation, and One Hour Precipitation products derived from the WSR-88D radar. If a substantial amount of rain fell within our CWA, usually an inch or more, the Storm Total Precipitation product is printed out by the radar operator. NWS Cooperative Observers in close proximity to the CWIP observers are another good source in verifying amounts.
How to become a Volunteer Weather Observer
The National Weather Service in Springfield, MO is looking for CWIP volunteer weather observers. We need people who are genuinely interested in weather who can relay critical meteorological and hydrological information to our office. In order to be a CWIP observer you must have a rain gauge. A maximum/minimum thermometer would also be helpful. The information provided will assist us in issuing more accurate and timely weather products, forecasts, and warnings. The products are broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and are also used by the local and national media.
If you are interested in becoming a CWIP volunteer weather observer, we would like for you to answer the following questions:
1) Where do you live? Please tell the distance and direction you live from the closest post office and highway intersection. Please also include the county you live in.
2) Do you live near any rivers or low water crossings?
3) What types of weather equipment do you own? (Rain gauge, thermometer, wind gauges etc...) Remember you must have a rain gauge to participate in the CWIP program.
4) What is your mailing address and phone number? (please include area code and zip code)
5) What acceptable times of day would it be possible for the weather service personnel to call you for weather reports?
Please mail your response to the following address or e-mail to the CWIP Program Manager below.
The National Weather ServiceAttn: CWIP Program Manager
Springfield/Branson Regional Airport
5805 West Highway EE
Springfield, Missouri 65802-8430
Or EMail:
Gene.Hatch@noaa.gov
Each quarter a CWIP volunteer observer is recognized by this office by being presented with the CWIP of the Quarter award. The CWIP of the Quarter is chosen from among those CWIP volunteer observers that reported frequently during the quarter. Also taken into consideration are severe weather reports, flood reports, and additional information provided to the office to aid in our verification efforts.
The individual chosen as the CWIP of the Quarter is presented with a Certificate of Appreciation, a Snow Book or other award and a press release is issued by the National Weather Service to the individuals local paper.
