Interested
in becoming an official weather observer? Several
unique opportunities exist for weather observers in New
Mexico. Each one is described below in more detail. If you have questions or would like
additional information, please send an email to
sr-abq.webmaster@noaa.gov
National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observer
The National Weather Service
in Albuquerque is looking for public-service oriented people to become
weather observers across the northern two-thirds of New
Mexico. We are most interested in areas of the state
where Cooperative Weather Stations
are few and far between. If you know someone who enjoys
weather and would like to become an official observer in their town or
ranch, please let them know about this unique
program.
The Cooperative Observer Program (coop) is based on a
network of volunteers. It requires minimal time, is fun,
and more importantly, plays a vital role in helping
to define the climate of your local area and New Mexico.
Using an internet-based website or an automated
phone system, observers send daily high and low temperatures
as well as 24-hour precipitation totals directly to the
NWS. At the end
of each month, a form with all the recorded weather
elements are sent to the NWS. These data are then sent
to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, where they are
digitized, quality controlled and subsequently made part
of the official national climate database.
A cooperative station is a site at which observations are taken
or other services rendered by volunteers or contractors who are not NWS
employees. Observers are not required to take or pass observation certification examinations. Equipment used at NWS cooperative stations are provided and maintained
by the NWS.
If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering
year around for this unique NWS program, please contact
Joe Alfieri at
(505) 243-0702.
.
NWS
Albuquerque Storm Spotter
National
Weather Service Albuquerque is responsible
for the northern two-thirds of New Mexico. A wide
variety of extreme weather occurs throughout
the year. Reports from volunteer spotters
improve our products and services in a
number of ways.
Due to the rural nature of New
Mexico, our current network lacks the
spatial resolution necessary to cover the
state. Observers are clustered around cities
and major highways, with many areas void of
observers. This network of storm
spotters is independent of the Cooperative Observer
Program, but many coop observers are also storm spotters.
Storm spotters report tornadoes, funnel clouds, hail, winds
50 mph or greater, flooding, snowfall, ice accumulation,
and any hazardous weather causing injury, death or
damage. Spotters can call a toll free number
1-888-386-7637 or use a storm
report form on our webpage. Please note, however,
you will be required to attend a SKYWARN spotter training
course developed by the NWS. It takes about 2.5 hours to
complete. Check our our homepage for the latest list of training
sessions in your area. You can also contact Ken Drozd, Senior
Meteorologist at 505-243-0702 or Jesus Haro, Warning Coordination
Meteorologist at 505-244-9150 ext. 223.
Community
Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network
CoCoRaHS (cocorahz) is in
New Mexico! The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail
and Snow Network
(CoCoRaHS) was begun
in Colorado in
1998. This supplemental
network, brainchild of Nolan Doesken, assistant
state climatologist for
Colorado, allows volunteer weather observers to
enter rainfall, snowfall, hail and snow reports
into a web-based system.The
result is displayed on maps and can be accessed
by anyone
with
Internet capabilities.
This
new network supplements existing networks such
as
the NWS
Cooperative Observer Network.For
more information on this network and the training
session, see the CoCoRaHS web page:http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/~hail/ or
call our office tollfree at 1-888-386-7637. You
can also send an email to sr-abq.webmaster@noaa.gov
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in
Coloradohave used the network for nearly 7 years.The near
real time capabilities allow
forecasters to monitor reports and use the
information in the warning decision making process.CoCoRaHS is not intended to replace the NWS
cooperative observer program, but to supplement it.
If you have an interest in CoCoRaHS, you can
check it out on the web.Nolan
and his team would be happy to hear from volunteers
with a passion for weather observations!
For more information, check out http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/~hail/
National Weather Service
Albuquerque Weather Forecast Office
2341 Clark Carr LP SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Ph: 505.243.0702
Web Master's Email: ABQ Webmaster
Page Author: WFO Albuquerque, NM
Date modified:
www.srh.weather.gov 
National
Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
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