Data Entry for Cooperative Observers

WxCoder-III

the official web-based entry system for the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program! Combined with IV-ROCS, the telephone entry system, WxCoder-III offers the means for daily entry of weather records for COOP volunteers. WxCoder-III is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the National Weather Service, the Regional Climate Center Program and the National Centers for Environmental Information.

IV-ROCS
Interactive Voice –
Remote Observation Collection System
(pronounced ivy rocks)

Access to the IV-ROCS system is
1-877-CoopObs (1-877-266-7627)

Below is the reporting menu that is used with IV-ROCS.

1)   Select the language. When asked, enter 1 for English or 2 for Spanish

2)   Identify yourself. Enter your 6 digit station number, no spaces or dashes, and verify the read back.

3)   Enter your observation time using 4 digits or military time (example 7am = 0700, 2 pm = 1400)

4)   Enter your data. The IV-ROCS voice will prompt Observers for the data. You will only be asked to provide data that your station is equipped to provide. Observation elements IV-ROCS is capable of recording are: precipitation (including snow), temperature, evaporation, soil temperature and river stage.

If you report temperature data enter it by following the voice prompts. Each entry is followed by a # sign. ie: a maximum temperature of 65 is entered as 65# Negative values are preceded with a * ie: -15 is entered *15# (if your data is missing just enter a # sign.)

Enter your precipitation amount or melted snow amount to the nearest hundredth of an inch followed by a # (example: 0.01 is entered as 01#)

If you have snowfall enter it to the nearest tenth of an inch followed by a # sign. (example: 0.1 is entered as 1#) again do not enter the decimal. (1.0 inch of snow would be entered as 10# ) Other examples:

2.4 inches is entered 24#
10.2 inches is entered 102#
(if your data is missing just enter a # sign.)

If you have snow on the ground enter it to the nearest whole inch followed by a # sign. (example 1.2 inches is entered as 1# or 1.6 inches is entered as 2# or 11.2 is entered 11# ) (if your data is missing enter # )

For trace amounts of precipitation, snowfall or snowdepth use a * symbol.

Note: No decimal points are entered…iv-rocs will add the decimal for you in the right place. After you make your entry the voice will read it back to you…if it is not correct enter 2 and try it again. (if your data is missing just enter a # sign.)

Precipitation Types:

After entering a precipitation value the voice will ask you to report the type of precipitation. You may report as many types as needed. If you have a mix of frozen, freezing and liquid precipitation always enter the them in that order. Liquid should always be last and snow must always be first.

The precipitation types and codes are as follows:

Special Features:

Key-ahead. The system has a key-ahead feature. As soon as you become familiar with the data entry scripts you can key-ahead quickly to speed your data entry. When you verify or key-ahead the system will stop the script and move to the next script. It is recommended that an observer not use the key-ahead feature until after the data is repeated to verify the accuracy of the data.

Email Notification. If you need your NWS representative to contact you the IV-ROCS will send an e-mail to the local office requesting that they give you a call. Due to work schedules, it may be a couple of days before you are contacted. The final script of the session will ask if you need to be contacted. Enter 1 if you want to be contacted or simple hang-up if you do not.

Revised Reports. IV-ROCS will allow the observer to submit a revised (corrected) report within two (2) hours of your scheduled observation time.

Special Event Reporting. IV-ROCS allows special event reporting two (2) hours after the scheduled observation time. Special event elements include Precipitation, Snowfall, Snow depth, Water Equivalent of Snow, and River Stage.