Mount Vernon's Robert Cox named Thomas Jefferson Award winner

Officials from the National Weather Service in Jackson have recognized long time Mount Vernon cooperative weather observer Robert "Bud" Cox with the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award. The award honors cooperative weather observers for unusual and outstanding achievements in the field of weather observing and is the highest award presented by the National Weather Service to it's volunteer observers.

Robert "Bud" Cox (middle) presented with Thomas Jefferson award by NWS Jackson Meteorologist-in-Charge Shawn Harley (left) and Hydrometeorological Technician Tabitha Brewer (right)

The award was presented to Mr. Cox on November 18, 2016, during a brief ceremony at his home in Mount Vernon, where he has taken consistent and reliable weather observations every day since February 1st, 1975. During his 41 years as a Cooperative Weather Observer, Mr. Cox has become well known throughout his community as the person to ask when folks wonder how much rain or snow fell, even providing information frequently to the Mount Vernon Signal, a daily newspaper in his community. No weather observations were missed even when Mr. Cox underwent open heart surgery several years ago. Robert's son Lewis filled in for him during his illness. In fact, three generations of the Cox family have served as cooperative weather observers in Mount Vernon.

Noteworthy weather events recorded by Mr. Cox include a bone chilling cold 24 below zero temperature reading on January 19, 1994. Two years later, in January 1996, Mr. Cox recorded a 19 inch snow depth and noted "high winds - drifts to 6 feet" on his monthly form. In December 1978, Mr. Cox measured 4.66 inches of rainfall on the 8th and 7.43 inches over a three day period ending on the 9th. On his monthly report, he noted "Rockcastle River crested above hand rails on railroad bridge in Livingston, KY. This was higher than ever recorded."

Mr. Cox's weather record form for December 1978 noting record flooding on Rockcastle River. Click on image to enlarge.

About the Cooperative Weather Observer Program

Mr. Cox is one of over 10,000 volunteer Cooperative Weather Observers across the country. These observers volunteer their time to record and report weather and climate observations. While the data is used operationally everyday by National Weather Service meteorologists, it is also stored at the National Centers for Environmental Information and helps build the nation's historic climate record.

Additional information on the Cooperative Weather Observer program can be found from the following links:

For more information, please contact David Stamper, NWS Jackson, KY Cooperative Program Manager, at 606-666-2560 or by email at David.Stamper@noaa.gov.