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The Cooperative Weather Observer
The National Weather Service (NWS) has been
tasked with the issuance of severe weather watches and warnings
designed to protect life and property. To this end, the
collection of timely and accurate surface weather data is
vital. In addition to the protection of life and property, the
Department of Commerces' National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (of which the NWS is a part) has been given the
job of maintaining a database of climatic weather
information. This too is used by the NWS in preparing medium and long range
forecasts.
These two jobs have the Cooperative
Observer Program - Co-Op Program in short - in common. The
Co-Op Program is the backbone of the United States Climatological
database. Co-Op observers frequently act as both observers and
severe storm spotters, phoning in reports of hazardous weather
in the winter and summer.
What is the job
of a Co-Op observer?
Being an NWS Co-Operative observer can be a
demanding job. To provide accurate and complete weather data,
observations are required seven days a week 365 days a year. This
does not mean that someone has to be monitoring the
"weather" all the time; instruments are provided to
monitor temperature and precipitation. Yet someone should be
available to record the daily maximum and
minimum temperature, the precipitation, and snowfall. This
generally is done around 7a.m., but observation times can be
shifted to fit the observer's schedule.
This information is recorded on a form which is
mailed monthly to the local NWS office for quality assurance
before forwarding to the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in
Asheville, North Carolina.
There is also a secondary level of Cooperative
Weather Observer who reports precipitation, snowfall, snow depth
and significant weather events to the NWS. These Co-Op observers
are often called 'spotters' and are a valuable aid to the NWS by
supplying information to us which advanced technology cannot
readily see. An example is a spotter who reports damaging winds
where the Doppler RADAR indicates damage may be
occurring. Or in winter, spotters report areas where blowing or
drifting snow is causing hazardous travel, yet this inclement
weather is between official reporting points. These type spotters
help us verify severe weather, allowing the NWS to do a better
job warning the public. Both jobs are vital to the NWS and it's
primary function, which is the protection of life and property.
What equipment
do I use?
Depending on the level of service expected,
equipment can vary from a simple 8 inch non recording plastic or
metal raingauge to a full coop station with electronic
thermometer and recording precipitation gage. The placement and
type of Cooperative Weather Observers (CWO's) is determined by
the NCDC as requested by the NWS Representative (NWSREP). Generally
cooperative stations are evenly spaced in relatively
flat terrain (more than 30 miles apart) but may be closer
together in hilly terrain or under special circumstances. Most
common are the "C" order station which support real and
near real time severe weather operations. Typically these are
CWO's who have had Severe Weather Spotters training and have a
non recording raingauge. "A" and "B" order
stations are for longer term climatological and hydrologic
operations and have less contact with a NWSREP.
The NWSREP will deliver, set up and maintain
the necessary equipment. Typically, the Co-Op station consists of
a set of Maximum/Minimum thermometers or a Max/Min Temperature
System (MMTS) and a raingauge. There are two basic types of
raingauges - recording and non recording. Non-recording rain
gages consist of a metal tube approximately 8 inches in diameter
and 3 feet tall with a removable funnel and inner plastic or
metal measuring tube. Precipitation is measured by placing a
calibrated stick into the tube, seeing where the water marks the
stick and recording the data.
A recording rain gage has either a drum which
holds a paper chart or a drive mechanism which punches holes in a
strip chart to record precipitation. At the end of each month,
the charts are forwarded to the local NWS office for QA then
forwarding to NCDC.
What happens
with the information I collect daily?
Data can be transmitted to the local NWS office via telephone,
using an Internet Based program called Weather Coder, or data
can be called in on an automated voice system. This near
real-time data is used to support the day-to-day operations
of the NWS in its forecast and warning decisions.
What kind of
training is involved?
Training consists of on site, hands on
instruction with the designated Co-Op Observer and their backup.
This usually is done the same day as the equipment is installed
and takes about one hour. If necessary, additional training may
be provided upon request. Basic equipment maintenance is
discussed and the Co-Op observer is provided with a name
("point of contact") and a number should additional
questions or problems arise.
If you have additional questions, please call
Mark Ewens at 701-772-0720 ext 327. Mark is the Data Acquisition
Program Manager for the National Weather Services Eastern North
Dakota Office in Grand Forks. Or write Mark at:
National Weather Service Eastern North Dakota/Grand Forks
4797 Technology Circle
Grand Forks ND
58203-0600
Mark.Ewens@noaa.gov
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