NWS Des Moines Cooperative Weather Observers

Central Iowa Cooperative Observer Network
The Cooperative (Coop) Observer Network consists of teachers, farmers, and bankers. In other words, people from all walks of life. The members of the Iowa Coop Network have at least a few things in common. They are basically an all-volunteer network, and they all seem to have a genuine fascination with the weather. There are roughly 170 cooperative weather observers across the Des Moines Office County Warning Area, as depicted by the map above. Their duties include monitoring river levels and collecting temperature and precipitation measurements. To see examples of the equipment they use, please click here. These observers have faithfully served their communities and the state of Iowa with little if any financial reward, and more often than not with little recognition. The data that the Iowa Coop Weather Observer provides serves many interested users. The river level and rainfall information is essential for the River Forecast centers. These River Forecasters plug this river information into a model that provides flood crests and other potentially life saving information. The coop observer also provides temperature and precipitation data that is used to establish climatological normals. These normals or averages often provide significant insight into what Mother Nature may have in store for our future. This data is also extremely important for it can provide nearly real-time information that is beneficial to our forecasters. Important uses of this information are being discovered almost every day. The Cooperative Observer is the backbone of future climatological studies. Without the data that these unselfish people provide us, the ever changing look at our world's weather would have several key pieces missing.
Coop Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What time of year do we remove the funnel and either metal or plastic tube from the SRG (Standard Rain Gauge)? A. The funnel and tube should be removed from the SRG when you are reasonably sure that freezing temperatures are expected...or that snow is on the way. Freezing temperatures will freeze any liquid inside the tube and that liquid will eventually cause cracks in the plastic tube, or cause holes to develop around the seems of a metal tube. Besides the danger to the inside tube...you need the funnel and tube out to accurately measure new snowfall. If it appears that a prolonged period of warm weather or rain is expected, replace the funnel and tube long enough to cover the event.
2. How do I log snowfall and snowdpeth entries in the B-91(Record of River and Climatological Observations) booklet? A. Open the inside cover to the B-91 booklet and you will see an example form filled out already. Follow this example and you can't go wrong. Keep in mind, snowfall is measured to the nearest tenth of an inch, for example 1 1/2 inches would be written 1.5. Snowdepth is either written as T for trace, or to the nearest inch, for example 2.5 inches would be logged into the snow depth column as "3" (for 3 inches).
3. On the Maximum/Minimum temperature display when the letters "LO" show up on the readout what does this mean? A. More often than not this is an indication of a loose connection, either at the display or at the outside sensor. However if the connections are secure that means that there is probably a break in the underground cabling. In any case when this problem occurs call your contact person, and we will run you through a few temporary steps that may alleviate the problem, or we will come out and repair the item as soon as possible.
4. How much does this job pay? A. Most of the observers we have have been doing this job for minimal pay and just as many do this voluntarily. In most cases this pay averages between 10 and 20 dollars per month. This is not a labor of pay, but a labor of love!
5. How can I become a Weather Service Observer? A. The NWS doesn't generally have Cooperative Weather Observer openings. When we do, we will adverstise on this webpage where an observer is needed. NOTE: There are other ways you could participate in a weather observing program, and that would be through the SKYWARN Program. Please see the SKYWARN link in the menu on the left side of the page.

NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Central Iowa Cooperative Observer Network

Coop Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)