Approximately 11,000 volunteer
weather observers participate in the collection of weather data in
the United States each day in this large program managed by the National
Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather
Service (NWS). Around 200 of these volunteers are located in
New Mexico.
The Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) was formally created
in 1890 under the Organic Act. The primary functions of the
COOP include defining the weather and climate of the nation,
as well as helping to support the NWS mission of protecting lives
and property. In many states, and especially in New Mexico with complex
terrain and remote regions, meteorologists depend on the data to
produce
accurate and detailed forecasts. It is difficult to imagine what
the state of weather and climate programs across the United States
would be without these
valuable observations.
The contributions and impacts of the COOP network are far too numerous
to list all of them here, however, a few examples illustrating the
value of the program are described below.
|
The Impact of
COOP Observations on NWS Albuquerque Operations |
Daily COOP observations received
at the NWS Albuquerque office, when combined with 1st and 2nd order observing
stations (at airports), make up the base of our forecast operations.
For many years, zone forecasts produced at our office contained temperature
and probability of precipitation (PoP) forecasts for 31 sites. |
1st or 2nd order observations were available
for only 13 sites (blue dots) - data for the remaining 18 locations
were available only via the COOP network (red dots -Albuquerque metro
area locations not shown).
|
Now that forecasts of temperature and PoPs
are computed for 2.5x2.5 degree grids covering our forecast area (the
northern two-thirds of New Mexico), coop observations are exceptionally
important for making adjustments to the grids.
|
|
 |
| In the figure below, the contribution
of our COOP observations is illustrated in two maps which both depict
the percent of normal precipitation for the July-August 2004 period.
On the left, an analysis was made using only the data from 1st and 2nd
order observations. On the right, statistics generated from COOP data
were included in the analysis. Note that the inclusion of COOP data results
in a more detailed depiction of percent of normal precipitation, allowing
us to better track features such as drought and spring runoff. |
|
Reports from our COOP observers
support a number of additional operational programs at NWS Albuquerque.
Observers routinely call in valuable spotter reports during severe weather
events. Snow reports during winter storms not only help us track the
final snow totals across the state, but help us track the progress and
intensity of a winter storm as it tracks across New Mexico. These examples
represent just a subset of the contributions our COOP observers make
throughout the year.
|
The
Impact of COOP Observations on Climate Monitoring |
Long term records of COOP observations
are the backbone of climate monitoring, not only in New Mexico, but across
the United States. Many of our COOP sites have periods of record that
range from 50 to 100 years, or even longer. These records are used to
compute means and trends, and to examine monthly, seasonal and annual
variations in our climate. The National Weather Service maintains a web
site with
examples of products that rely on data from the COOP program.
|
Some of our automated 1st and 2nd order stations
do not report snow fall or depth. COOP
observations make up a large percentage of snow climatology values
across the U.S. These values are crucial to computing snow loads, used
by architects and construction companies to insure that buildings can
withstand the weight of snow.
|
Over the years, droughts
have had tremendous negative impacts on the economy of the U.S.
and the quality of life for its residents. At any give time, a significant
percentage of the U.S. can be affected by
drought. COOP observations are used to compute a number of drought
indices, including the Palmer Drought Index illustrated below.
By carefully
monitoring drought conditions, we are better able to prepare and
properly respond to droughts.
|
|
 |
|
 |
COOP observations are sent to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center
(NCDC) in Asheville, NC. These observations, as well as other
climate data (historical data sets, normals, extremes, etc.) are available
from NCDC. The NCDC data are considered official data, meaning that
observations have been quality controlled, published and certifiable.
COOP observations from sites with a long period of record, a low percentage
of missing data, and few station moves are included in the U.S.
Historical Climatology Network (USHCN, Karl et al. 1990). This
is a high-quality moderate sized data set of monthly averaged maximum,
minimum, and mean temperature and total monthly precipitation developed
to assist in the detection of regional climate change. The USHCN is
comprised of 1221 high-quality stations from the U.S. Cooperative Observing
Network within the 48 contiguous United States.
The USHCN was developed and is maintained at the National Climatic
Data Center (NCDC) and the Carbon Dioxide Information and Analysis
Center (CDIAC) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory through a cooperative
agreement between the NCDC and the U.S. Department of Energy.
|
weather.gov 
)
)