The Cooperative Weather Observer Program in East Central Florida

The Cooperative Weather Observer Program
in East Central Florida

As in other areas of the nation, there is a network of cooperative observers in east-central Florida. Working as volunteers, the cooperative observers provide NOAA's National Weather Service with vitally important weather data every day.

What is the Cooperative Weather Observer Program?

NOAA's National Weather Service operates a nationwide network comprised of more that 11,000 stations. The network was formally created in 1890, but many stations began operation long before that time. John Campanius Holm's weather records, taken without the benefit of instruments in 1644-45, were the earliest known observations in the United States. Subsequently many persons, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, maintained weather records. Thomas Jefferson maintained an almost unbroken record of weather observations between 1776 and 1816, and George Washington took his last observation just a few days before he died.

Visit the National Weather Service's National Cooperative Observer Network Web Page.

Where are the sites?

What is the relationship between local (east central Florida) cooperative weather observers and the NWS office in Melbourne?

When a need develops to establish a cooperative weather in our area, we locate a suitable volunteer to make the weather observations. We then install NWS standard weather observing equipment and train the new observer in the operation of the equipment and reporting procedures. We make periodic visits back to the site in order to maintain our relationship with the observer, and maintain the operational integrity of the equipment.

How can I become a cooperative weather observer?

If you are interested in being part of the cooperative weather program in east-central Florida, you can send an email to our Observation Program Leader. We do not often need new observers, so just volunteering does not mean that we'll be setting up a station for all who ask. But, we're glad to keep you in mind for any future requirements that may arise.

Can I get the data from these sites?

The Melbourne NWS office gathers these reports together and issues a regional temperature and precipitation table to make the data public.

Click here for the Regional Temperature and Precipitation Table

Historical data from cooperative weather stations is available by contacting the regional and national climatic data centers.

Here's the links:

"NOWData" Records on-line
Southeast Regional Climate Center
Florida Climate Center
National Centers for Environmental Information