Future of the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Network (1998) / Chapter Skim
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3 Cooperative Network of the Future
3 Cooperative Network of the Future
Pages 32-42
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From page 32... ...
This upgraded and strengthened network will be a component of a larger national weather observing system that will evolve to meet the nation's needs. The growing demand for accurate and timely cooperative data will probably determine the requirements for the system.
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From page 33... ...
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in cooperation with other agencies, should conduct an analysis of requirements for surface observations, with periodic follow-ups to develop requirements and specifications for a strong and viable surface observing system. The goal should be to develop and implement, over time, a comprehensive system planning architecture that ensures the effectiveness of the Cooperative Observer Network as part of a composite national surface observing system.
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From page 34... ...
Recommendation. The National Weather Service, in coordination with the National Climatic Data Center, should evaluate the roughly 3,000 unpublished stations in the Cooperative Observer Network and determine, on a case-bycase basis, if they should be retained.
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From page 35... ...
The modernized Cooperative Observer Network should adopt the oversight practices made possible by new information technology so that all site information is available in on-line computer files. Each site should be located with global positioning system technology, and digital site photos should be placed in on-line files.
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From page 36... ...
The modernized Cooperative Observer Network should identify problems as early as possible in the data collection process and provide prompt feedback to both observers and network technicians in order to improve the overall quality of data and reduce the costs of quality control and data turnaround time at National Climatic Data Center. Dissemination of Data The demand for rapid and timely weather and climate data is growing.
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From page 37... ...
Automating data communications between cooperative sites and local National Weather Service forecast offices should be the first step in automating the cooperative observer sites. The goal should be to make reporting data on at least a daily basis possible at all stations, even if data are still input manually.
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From page 38... ...
FUTURE OF THE NWS COOPERATIVE OBSERVER NETWORK Stations with both automated ingest of data and automated communication will provide a wealth of near-real-time information, which will be critical to improving weather and hydrological warnings and forecasts and will be extremely useful for emergency managers, transportation officials, and the general public. More detailed statistics and more frequent observations would also improve on-site monitoring of sensor performance and quality control, which would also improve scheduling of field maintenance.
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From page 39... ...
The National Weather Service should improve its management of the Cooperative Observer Network. Interagency Management Council Given the substantial, long-standing interest of many federal agencies in the health of the Coop Network and in the
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From page 40... ...
One approach would be to establish a climate observations management office to oversee the activities of the of Cooperative Observer Program of the National Weather Service and National Climatic Data Center. This office would ensure that the Cooperative Observer Program is given a high priority by the National
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From page 41... ...
The NOAA climate observations office should work jointly with the NWS Cooperative Observer Network and NCDC management teams to perform the following functions: shape the current and future directions of the Coop Program, enlisting interagency support in planning, policy making, and funding provide effective advocacy for the Coop Program in budgetary planning by NOAA, the NWS, and NESDIS work with other federal agencies and states that have cooperative observer programs and/or mesonets to develop a coordinated approach to the management and maintenance of the Coop Network and ancillary networks (including setting standards for sensor performance, maintenance, and calibration) collaborate with regional climate centers and state climatologists to ensure that high-quality climate data and derived products are available to users on a timely basis and that they are properly archived Role of NWS Cooperative Observer Network Manager To improve the management of the Coop Network, the NWS must improve the image of the network and give it a higher priority.
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From page 42... ...
FUTURE OF THE NWS COOPERATIVE OBSERVER NETWORK For the U.S. Department of Transportation, cooperative data already play a role in the design and construction of new and upgraded highways and in determining when to deploy emergency services.
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