Appendix A Survey Of State Climatologists On The National Weather Service Cooperative Network
July 31, 1997
1. In what year did you assume the position of state climatologist? 19 _______
2. In an average month about how much time do you (and your staff) devote to activities as the state climatologist? (MARK ONE)
Between 1 - 4 Days
Between 5 - 10 Days
Between 11 - 15 Days
Between 16 - 20 Days
More Than 20 Days
3a. How many cooperative network stations exist within your state boundaries?
Number
Climate
Hydro
Combined Climate And Hydro
Total
3b. How many of these belong to the historical network of cooperative stations?
Number In Historical Network
3c. How many are institutional (vs. individual volunteer) stations?
Number In Institutional Stations
4a. In general, how important is the cooperative network to the work you do as the state climatologist? (MARK ONE)
Not Important
Somewhat Important
Very Important
Essential
4b. In your opinion, is the importance of the cooperative network: (MARK ONE)
Increasing
Decreasing
Remaining about the same
4c. How do you use the cooperative network data in your work? (MARK ALL THAT APPLY)
Research
Data requests
Teaching
Archive development
Outreach
Other (Please specify)
5a. In an average month, how often do you (and your staff) provide cooperative network data in response to requests for information from external users in the community?
Number of times
5b. In an average month, how often do you (and your staff) provide cooperative network data to:
Number of Times
a. Legal community
b. Local
c. Weather forecasters
d. Academic climate and weather researchers
e. Agricultural interests
f. Local, state, and federal agencies
g. Private consultants
h. Educational institutions
i. General public
6. In an average month, how much time do you (and your staff) spend on activities related to the cooperative network: (MARK ONE)
Less than 5 hours
From 5 - 10 hours
Between 11 - 20 hours
Between 21 - 30 hours
More than 30 hours
7. Below is a list of activities that you might have conducted in connection with the cooperative network. In an average month, how many times have you been directly involved in the following:
Number of Times
a. Interactions with the local Weather Forecast Offices
b. Interactions with the National Climate Data Center
c. Receipt and processing of cooperative network data
d. Visits to cooperative observers
e. Fielding requests for weather and climate data
f. Interactions with the media
8. Occasionally, state climatologists get involved in special activities in support of the cooperative network program. In the past year, have you (and your staff) been involved in: (MARK ALL THAT APPLY)
Special training programs for the cooperative observers
Developing or participating in ceremonies having cooperative observers
Publicity campaigns for the cooperative program
NWS plans for improving or modernizing the cooperative network
9. Various concerns have been expressed about the functioning of the cooperative network. In your opinion, how important is it to improve the following factors in the network?
|
|
|
Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Very Important |
Essential |
|
a. |
Lack of standard instrumentation.......... |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
b. |
Lack of maintenance for instrumentation |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
c. |
Inconsistent reporting periods in the data reports.................................................... |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
d. |
Insufficient quality control at the local level....................................................... |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
e. |
Lack of timeliness in the data reports..... |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
f. |
Difficulties in recruiting new volunteers.. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
g. |
Lack of management commitment to the coop network program............................. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
h. |
Insufficient resources at the WFOs (e.g., staffing, travel funds) to support the cooperative network program............... |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
i. |
Outdated data collection and transmission technology.............................................. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
j. |
Insufficient support (e.g., incentives, training) to the volunteer observers....... |
I |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Thank you very much for expressing your opinions,
