U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEMarch 25, 1993 W/OS0141:TB
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 93-1
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter B-17, "Cooperative Station Management."
2. Summary:
The entire chapter has been revised. Most of the material in the previous version of Chapter B-17 has been put into NWS Observing Handbook #6, Cooperative Program Operations. Section 2 lists this material. Chapter B-17 is now limited mainly to a description of the cooperative networks and the assignment of responsibilities to run the cooperative program.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
This issuance cancels WSOM Issuance 73-24 dated September 10, 1973. It also cancels the following OMLs: 21-75 dated October 6, 1975; 8-76 dated May 19, 1976; 9-76 dated July 1, 1976; 15-76 dated August 20, 1976; 17-77 dated December 15, 1977; 10-80 dated September 9, 1980; 11-80 dated September 10, 1980; 12-80 dated September 11, 1980; and 13-80 dated September 12, 1980.
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.
Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services
Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
3-25-93 W/OSO141 Operations Manual B 17
COOPERATIVE STATION MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents:
1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Definition of Cooperative Program and Cooperative Station
3.1 Official Cooperative Stations
3.2 Unofficial Cooperative Stations
4. Regional Headquarters Responsibilities
4.1 Weather Service Headquarters
4.1.1 Office of Systems Operations, Observing Systems Branch (OSB)
4.1.2 Configuration Management System (CMS)
4.1.3 Office of Meteorology (OM)
4.1.4 Office of Hydrology (OH)
4.2 Regional Headquarters
4.3 Local Office
5.1 "a" Network
5.1.1 Reference Climatological Stations
5.1.2 Historical Climatology Network (HCN)
5.1.3 Reference Climatological Network
5.2 "b" Network
5.3 "ab" Network
5.4 "c" Network
5.5 Reimbursable Stations
5.6 Establishing, Changing, or Closing Cooperative Stations
5.6.1 "a" Network
5.6.2 "b" Network
5.6.3 "c" Network
5.6.4 Reimbursable Stations
5.7 Responsibilities for Establishing and Closing Flood Control (FC) Stations
5.7.1 Definition of Flood Control Networks
5.7.2 Establishment
5.7.3 Closure
5.8 Part-Time Stations
6. Cooperative Station Service Accountability
6.1 Purpose
6.2 Weather Service Headquarters Responsibilities and Support
6.3 Regional Headquarters Responsibilities
6.3.1 Data Input
6.3.2 Cooperative Station Service Accountability Software
6.3.3 Regional Access of National Cooperative Station Service Accountability Data
Base
6.4 National Climatic Data Center Responsibilities
7. Publications Available to Cooperative Observers
7.1 The National Cooperative Observer (NCO)
7.2 Climatological Data and Hourly Precipitation Data
7.3 NWS Observing Handbook #2, Cooperative Station Observations
8. Policy on Publishing Cooperative Station Data
10. Quality Control
11. Maintaining Good Observer Performance and Morale
12. Awards
Exhibits:
B-17-2 Cooperative Station Statistics Program
1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to define the mission and scope of the National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Program and to provide overall policy for management, operation, and maintenance of the program. The mission of the cooperative program is: (l) to provide observational data (usually consisting of daily maximum and minimum temperatures and 24-hour precipitation totals) required to define the climate of the United States and to help measure long-term climate changes, and (2) to provide observational data in near real time to support forecast, warning, and other public service programs of the NWS.
2. Scope. This chapter defines and describes the cooperative program, its networks and observing sites. It assigns responsibilities for maintenance of them and of the data base that documents the observing sites. Publications are described. Quality control, observer morale, and the award program are described briefly here and, in more detail, in NWS Observing Handbook #6, Cooperative Program Operations (WSOH-6). Quality control, archiving, and publishing functions carried out by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) are not covered.
Instructions for the installation and maintenance of equipment are contained in NWS Observing Handbook #2, Cooperative Station Observations (WSOH-2).
The following information and additional details, formerly contained in Weather Service Operations Manual (WSOM) B-17, are now in WSOH-6:
a. Types of observing networks
b. Establishing, changing, and closing stations
c. Numbering and naming stations
d. Procedures for obtaining station location identifiers
e. Forms used by observers
f. Inactive stations
g. Administrative forms
h. Costs
i. Description and operation of reimbursable networks
j. Replacing and upgrading equipment
k. Policies on and criteria for publishing data
l. Quality control
m. Maintaining good observer performance and morale
n. Length of service and performance awards
o. Court appearances by cooperative observers
p. Compensation for on-the-job injuries
q. Waiver for non-installation of surge-protection equipment
3. Definition of Cooperative Program and Cooperative Station. The cooperative program is the means by which the NWS obtains observational data to support the climate program and field operations. The program includes the selection of data sites; recruiting, appointing, and training of observers; installation-and maintenance of-equipment; station documentation; observer payroll; data collection and its delivery to users; data quality control functions; and the management of fiscal and human resources required to accomplish mission objectives.
A cooperative station is a site at which observations are taken or other services rendered by volunteers or contractors who are not NWS employees and who are not required to take or pass observation certification examinations. Automatic observing stations are considered cooperative stations if their observed data are used for services which otherwise would be provided by cooperative observers. A cooperative station may be collocated with other types of observing stations such as a second-order basic observation station, Flight Service Station, etc. In these cases, that portion of the station observing program which supports the cooperative program's mission is treated and documented independently of the other observational and service programs.
Cooperative observers may serve on either a paid or unpaid basis, depending on the types of services rendered and needs that must be met. These services frequently consist of taking and recording temperature and precipitation daily and reporting to NCDC or an NWS office at the end of each month. Many cooperative observers provide additional hydrological or meteorological parameters and may telephone or electronically transmit data to NWS offices or mail observation forms weekly. Equipment used at NWS cooperative stations may be owned by the NWS, by the observer, or by a company or other government agency, as long as it meets NWS equipment standards.
The following types of stations are not classified as cooperative stations:
a. A station employing NWS personnel (first-order station).
b. A station where basic, synoptic, or other observations that require certification are taken by observers holding Certificates of Authority to take weather observations.
c. Coast Guard and other military observing facilities (other than those at which the NWS has established cooperative stations).
Although the above are not classified as cooperative stations, many of them have been assigned cooperative station numbers, have station history records, and have their data published along with data from other cooperative stations (see WSOH-6).
3.1 Official Cooperative Stations. A cooperative station will be considered official and will be included in a cooperative network when it has been duly approved in accordance with
Section 5 and meets the criteria listed below (publication of data is not a criterion).
a. Equipment used for observations is of the type approved by the NWS and is described in WSOH-2.
b. The station is documented using WS Form B-44, Cooperative Station Report.
c. The station is assigned: (1) a station index number by NCDC, and (2) a Station Identifier by the NWS Office of Systems Operations (OSO), Systems Integration Division. The latter is entered in the NWS Location Identifier system data base [Management Information Systems Communications Handbook #5 (MISCH5)].
d. The station is included in the Cooperative Station Service Accountability (CSSA) listing. See Section 6.
These criteria are necessary to assure satisfactory instrumentation, sensor exposure, documentation, and approval, so that supporting funds will be available.
3.2 Unofficial Cooperative Stations. NWS personnel are not authorized to establish unofficial stations except as outlined in WSOM Chapter B-21, which deals with the use of spotter networks. Stations included in spotter networks will not be given a station index number by NCDC (see WSOH-6) or included in the CSSA listing. However, they may be issued MISCH5 station identifiers. Data from spotter networks will not be published by NCDC nor should observation forms be sent to NCDC unless a request to do SO is received from the applicable regional headquarters (RH). Cooperative program resources, both fiscal and human, shall not be used to install, maintain, supply, or visit spotter network stations. If personnel normally assigned to cooperative program duties must visit or otherwise help support spotter networks, all associated time and funds will be charged to the appropriate task number.
4. Regional Headquarters Responsibilities. Management responsibilities for the cooperative program are shared by Weather Service Headquarters (WSH), each of the six RHS, and field offices where NWS representative (NWSREP) positions have been established. The NWSREP may also be known as the Cooperative Program Manager or Hydrometeorological Technician. In some cases, NWSREP functions may be performed by a hydrologist. See Section 1 of WSOH-6. Exhibit B-17-l shows this structure.
4.1 Weather Service Headquarters. The WSH establishes national policy and provides guidelines for program management in areas common to the regions. To effect an orderly management program, there are certain areas in which procedures must be uniform. These general areas are set forth in this section, with additional detail contained in WSOH-6.
4.1.1 Office of Systems Operations, Observing Systems Branch (OSB). The OSB has nationwide responsibility to:
a. Coordinate program activity and establish procedures to maintain the integrity of cooperative program networks and to assure that the networks continue to meet the data requirements for which they were established.
b. Establish standards and procedures for inspecting and maintaining stations and monitor the accomplishments in these areas.
c. Establish procedures which assure uniform implementation and application of policy changes relating to the cooperative program.
d. Serve as task leader and conduct liaison with other government agencies and WSH divisions in the management of cooperative station tasks financially supported by these other agencies and divisions.
e. Develop program-related handbooks and manuals documenting the above equipment standards, observing procedures and policies, and other management procedures.
f. Monitor expenditures and accomplishments.
g. Design forms which contain descriptions, histories, and other information relating to the physical aspects of cooperative stations and provide guidelines for the preparation and maintenance of these and related forms.
h. Establish procedures for the receipt and review of requests for changes to the field and regional software and data bases that are nationally controlled by WSH and to obtain a consensus agreement from the regions on all requests for changes before implementation in the nationally supported software and data base.
i. Receive requests for access to the nationally maintained data bases of the CSSA system, evaluate and approve access, and notify the OSO Configuration Management Section (see Section 4.1.2) in writing to issue a password to the approved user.
j. Establish a process for the review, coordination, and approval of changes to the CSSA system.
k. Provide for regional data bases using the nationally controlled software.
4.1.2 Configuration Management System (CMS). The CMS has nationwide responsibility to:
a. Establish and maintain the nationally controlled software and data bases to meet requirements submitted to the OSB and implement approved changes to them.
b. Establish procedures to support program changes, schedule testing, baselining, writing documentation, and final submission to the regions for integration into their systems.
c. Establish and maintain national-level software and data bases to support the cooperative station management program at WSH.
d. Provide on-call support during normal working hours to regions with problems with the nationally controlled software and data base.
e. Establish a formal process for the implementation of changes to the CSSA system.
4.1.3 Office of Meteorology (OM). OM, in coordination with other offices, is responsible for determining overall requirements for the accuracy and resolution of measurements, the frequency with which they should be reported, and the density/spacing of observing sites in the Climatological (temperature and precipitation) network, within budgetary constraints.
4.1.4 Office of Hydrology (OH). OH determines the requirements to establish, change, or close observing sites to meet hydrologic requirements that have been defined by field offices and verified by the regional hydrologists. See Section 4.2.
4.2 Regional Headquarters. The RHs implement national policy. Regions can also supplement national policies and procedures with additional detail, as long as the national directives are not impacted. Cooperative program regional management staffs are assigned to the Observations and Facilities Branches of the regional Systems Operations Division (SOD) (Data Systems Branch in the Pacific Region).
In addition to establishing regional policy for the cooperative program, the RHs are responsible for:
a. Establishing regional policy and guidelines for the installation, operation, maintenance, inspection, and management of authorized meteorological and hydrological cooperative stations.
b. Coordinating related meteorological and hydrological matters with NWS regional and field officials; other government officials from Federal, state, and local agencies; and local citizenry.
c. In some cases, exercising quality control of observed data.
d. Managing funds allocated by the regions for operation of the cooperative program.
e. Documenting cooperative station descriptions and histories, maintaining necessary files of these records, and submitting this information to WSH in the format prescribed by WSH.
f. Assuring that all proposed establi6hments, closures, and other changes at cooperative stations are authorized and fully coordinated with all applicable regions and offices, including OSO, OH, OM, and NCDC, as required.
g. Obtaining reimbursable funds from other government agencies and assuring that these funds are spent in accordance with the agreed-upon activities.
h. Preparing and distributing statistical information and other tabulations which identify accomplishments and achievements related to the regional cooperative program.
i. Managing the paid cooperative observer contract program within the region and assuring compliance with established laws and regulations regarding issuance of government contracts to private citizens and businesses.
j. Verifying that all forms are accurately prepared and distributed in a timely manner.
4.3 Local Office. The NWSREP works out of a Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO) or Weather Forecast Office (WFO), in most cases, and is responsible for the installation and maintenance of cooperative station equipment and, sometimes, the quality control of observations. Generally, their geographical area of responsibility coincides with that of the Area Manager or Meteorologist in Charge at the associated WSFO or WFO. However, the density of stations and other factors may require that assigned areas of responsibility vary from the ideal. Supervisory responsibility for NWSREPs is assigned by the applicable RH.
NWSREPs are responsible for all cooperative stations and program activities within their assigned geographical area. At times, NWS officials such as service hydrologists, hydrologic technicians, electronics technicians, facilities technicians, and others may perform functions or be assigned responsibilities within the scope of the cooperative program. However, the NWSREP is still responsible for the management and field operation of the program.
Duties of the NWSREP include site selection and equipment installation, selection and training of observers, regular inspection visits to the cooperative stations, quality control of observations and recorded data, and keeping records of station status (Section 6). Other duties include routine and emergency maintenance of equipment and the installation of nontelemetered precipitation gauges, such as the Belfort (Fischer & Porter) punched tape precipitation gauge.
One of the more important aspects of the NWSREP's work is the regular contact with the cooperative observers. Routine visits to cooperative stations are made for the purpose of observer training, equipment maintenance, and verification of station forms (e.g., WS Form B-44). As a general guideline, temperature and non-recording precipitation stations are visited on an annual basis. Other stations, such as those that measure evaporation and those with recording rain gauges, are generally visited twice a year. The responsibility for maintenance-of-cooperative stations which are telemetered is assigned to NWS electronics technicians who perform all required maintenance on the "telemetered system." Stations with new observers may require additional visits until the observers are fully trained.
Emergencies (e.g., equipment failures, observers quitting, required relocations, etc.) may require additional visits at any time. When possible, these emergency visits should be combined with visits to other en route stations.
NWSREPs, maintenance and electronics technicians, and other employees installing, relocating, changing, or inspecting a station should promptly prepare all forms required or furnish adequate notes, sketches, and diagrams to the appropriate NWSREP. See WSOH-6 for details.
5. Cooperative Networks. This section describes the observing networks that comprise the cooperative program. Stations are included in one or more of these networks depending upon the NWS programs (Climatology, meteorology, and/or hydrology) that are supported by their observed data.
5.1 "a" Network. The "a" network is the basic climatic network of NWS. Data from this network are used to describe the climate of the United States. Most stations in the network observe 24-hour maximum and minimum temperatures and 24-hour precipitation totals. At a minimum, they must observe 24-hour precipitation totals; some also observe maximum and minimum soil temperatures and evaporation.
In general, "a" network stations should be spaced 25 miles apart. The rationale for this is based on the assumption that monthly rainfall estimates derived by interpolation between data points have an average sampling error of 10 percent or less over the period of a year. Sampling errors are expected to exceed 10 percent over shorter periods of time and in areas where most precipitation is convective. A greater spacing (30 miles or more) may suffice in areas with relatively homogeneous climates, and a closer spacing (about 20 miles) may be needed in coastal and mountainous sections where climatic differences are more pronounced. For temperature, a less variable element, the sampling error is usually somewhat less.
5.1.1 Reference Climatological Stations. Reference Climatological Stations (formerly known as Climatological Benchmark Stations) are selected by NCDC. They must meet the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards for such stations and certain additional National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requirements. These 20 stations (as of 1992) are located where a homogeneous series of observations has been or is expected to be made over a period of not less than 30 years. They are sited with an adequate and unchanged exposure where the observations can be made in representative conditions.
All reference climatological stations are considered to be a part of the "a" network.
5.1.2 Historical Climatology Network (HCN). This network was established in 1984 to provide a data set suitable for detecting and monitoring secular changes of regional rather than local climate. So as to minimize artificial changes of local environments, the sites which were selected should contain few discontinuities (e.g., station moves and instrument changes and relocations). At least 80 years of temperature and precipitation records are required, with no more than 5 percent of the observations missing. As of late 1991, there were over 1,200 stations in the HCN, concentrated in the eastern two-thirds of the United States.
5.1.3 Reference Climatological Network. This network, consisting of two parts, was established in 1990 in response to a WMO climate initiative. At the time of establishment, it consisted of 264 stations in or near cities (usually located at airports). Its main purpose is to monitor the climate of major cities and towns, particularly for parameters other than temperature and precipitation. The second part consisted of 640 cooperative stations, including the best of the HCN stations, monitoring temperature and precipitation for the purpose of determining long-term climate trends.
5.2 "b" Network. Cooperative stations are placed in the "b" network when observed data are used to support NWS hydrologic programs, such as the forecast and warning program and the water resource forecast service program. No specific criteria exist. Stations are established, changed, or closed to meet changing hydrologic requirements that have been defined by field offices and verified by regional hydrologists.
Observing programs at "b" network stations include 24-hour precipitation (some with recording gauges), and often one or more of the following elements : river stage or lake level, maximum and minimum temperatures, evaporation, and soil temperature.
Most data from recording precipitation gauges are published by NCDC each month in the state Hourly Precipitation Data (HPD) Bulletin. Other data are published in the state Climatological Data (CD) when requirements to do so have been established.
5.3 "ab" Network. Cooperative stations that support both the climatological and hydrological programs of the NWS are referred to as being in the "ab" network.
5.4 "c" Network. Cooperative stations are placed in the "c" network when observed data are used to support the meteorological forecast and warning and public service programs of the NWS. Like the "b" network, the "c" network is not rigidly defined. Stations are added, deleted, and changed to reflect changing requirements. Requirements are generally established by field offices and verified by the Meteorological Services Division of the applicable RH. Data from "c" network stations are published by NCDC in the applicable CD when requirements to do so have been established. The "c" network includes general classes of stations, as follows:
a. Local Service. These are temperature and/or precipitation stations that are used primarily for local public service purposes (metropolitan networks, media releases, etc. ) .
b. Long Record. These are temperature and/or precipitation stations that have long records but are not included in the "a" or "b" network. Generally, the period of record covers 50 years or more, with good prospects for continuation with little change in the environment surrounding the station.
c. Research, Experimental, and Special Purpose. These are temperature, precipitation, and/or special purpose stations that are not included in the "a" or "b" network. Their observations generally include, but are not limited to, maximum and minimum temperatures and 24-hour precipitation. Those which support local service are generally asked to telephone their observed data to an NWS of f ice . Many observers are asked to report their overnight low temperature in the morning and the afternoon high temperature in the early evening, in place of or in addition to 24-hour values.
5.5 Reimbursable Stations. In many cases, it is more economical for NWS to service observing equipment belonging to other government agencies than for these agencies to provide the service. For example, it may take less time and cost for an NWSREP to maintain NWS, Corps of Engineers (COE), and Bureau of Reclamation (BR) rain gauges in the same general area than for each of these agencies to service stations with its own personnel. Stations belonging to other agencies (federal or state), but serviced by NWS, are known as reimbursable stations (see NOAA Budget Policy and Procedures Handbook, Chapter 3). The costs of inspecting and maintaining these stations are reimbursed by the government agencies served.
5.6 Establishing, Changing. or Closing Cooperative Stations. The authority to add, change, or close stations is assigned to the Chief of the SOD or the Regional Hydrologist at the RH. This authority may be redelegated to the Regional Cooperative Program Manager. See Section 4.2f for coordination requirements.
5.6.1 "a" Network. Stations in the "a" network should comply as closely as possible with the 25-mile spacing principle, allowing for a closer spacing in heavily populated, mountainous, and coastal areas and a wider spacing in homogenous areas.
5.6.2 "b" Network. Changes to the "b" network must be coordinated with the applicable river forecast center and approved by the office of the Regional Hydrologist.
5.6.3 "c" Network. Changes to the "c" network must be coordinated with the applicable forecast office and ratified by the regional NWS representative.
5.6.4 Reimbursable Stations. Proposals from other government agencies or organizations for establishing new reimbursable programs or for making major changes in existing reimbursable accounts must be approved by WSH. Minor changes (e.g., opening, closing, or relocating individual stations) are approved by the RH.
Each year the regions, by memorandum, inform the reimbursable agency of the expected cost for operating the reimbursable sponsored stations for the upcoming fiscal year. Agencies respond in writing, agreeing to the proposed charges and services or agreeing in part and indicating changes that must be made. Changes at reimbursable stations are approved at the regional level, provided the following conditions are met:
a. The proposal is minor in nature and is approved by the reimbursable agency. Minor changes include adjustments to observer pay, establishment or closure of one or two stations, replacement of less expensive equipment, etc.
b. The reimbursable agency agrees to pay any increased cost.
c. The WS Form B-43, Request for Establishment or Change in Status of Cooperative Station, used to request the change, clearly shows that coordination with the reimbursable agency has occurred.
When a reimbursable station cannot be operated as indicated in the annual reimbursable agreement, the NWSREP should coordinate the change with the applicable reimbursable agency and, when appropriate, initiate action to make adjustments to the reimbursable charges.
5.7 Responsibilities for Establishing and Closing Flood Control (FC) Stations.
5.7.1 Definition of Flood Control Networks. The FC-1 network consists of cooperative stations with recording precipitation gauges for which NWS has taken over funding and maintenance from the COE. Many of these stations report additional parameters. Observations are needed by both NWS and COE. The COE uses these data to support their water resource management activities, such as reservoir release forecasts, to mitigate damage associated with mainstream flooding.
Networks FC-2 through FC-58 are reimbursable networks established and maintained by NWS for COE to meet their data requirements, with COE reimbursing NWS for maintenance expenses. All FC stations are placed in the "b" network. Stations in these networks, as well as those maintained by NWS but owned by other agencies, such as BR, are described in WSOH-6.
5.7.2 Establishment. Because they were originally established by COE to meet COE data requirements, any changes in the FC-l network must be coordinated with COE.
5.7.3 Closure. Stations in FC and other networks may have to be discontinued due to the unavailability of observers, poor quality of observations, replacement by automated stations, or because the stations no longer serve the purpose for which they were intended. The closure of stations in FC networks should be coordinated with the applicable COE office. Closure of stations sponsored by a reimbursable agency should be coordinated with that agency. The district COE office should be encouraged to review requirements annually and make recommendations for adjusting the networks.
5.8 Part-Time Stations. Cooperative stations that can operate through the year on only an interrupted basis (such as 5-day-a-week stations, which fit work tours of personnel) will be made a part of any network only as a last resort. Since publication of incomplete data presents certain problems, arrangements should be made to use data in unpublished form, if at all practicable. Special arrangements must be made before incomplete records can be published.
Part-time stations established for short periods or on a part-of-the-year basis to fill the needs of special programs will not be considered as a part of the "a" network. If such stations are required in the hydrologic or other programs and there is evidence that the stations will continue over a period of years, they may be properly included in the "b" or "c" network.
5.9 Status of Stations. Information on the status of stations and networks may be derived at any time from the computerized data base described in Section 6. Status reports can be generated at WSH and sent to the regions. The information is taken from WS Forms B-44, which are sent by the regions to WSH via diskette or other computerized means. Exhibit B-17-2 shows a sample printout of the Cooperative Station Statistics Program for the Southern Region.
6. Cooperative Station Service Accountability. The CSSA is a computerized catalog containing descriptions of the cooperative stations maintained by NWSREPs, including the location, observer's name, equipment in use, where and how data are sent, driving directions to the site, sponsors, etc. Each RH maintains a complete CSSA data base for stations within its region. This data base includes all information contained on WS Forms B-44.
6.1 Purpose. The CSSA data base is intended to provide the following:
a. A ready source for cooperative station information.
b. A means of indicating the date of the last change in equipment, location, exposure, etc., at a station, and the nature of station closures, relocations, etc.
c. A means of selecting separate listings of station types according to geographical area, elevation, river basin, type of service, etc., for special studies.
d. A basis for preparing counts of cooperative stations, types of equipment, and services.
Procedures for obtaining information from the CSSA data base are contained in the CSSA Users Manual. All NWSREPs, RHs, and WSH have been provided copies of this manual.
6.2 Weather Service Headquarters Responsibilities and Support. CSSA is controlled at WSH under OSO, which is responsible for making changes to the software and data base structures. Requests for change are made to OSB, then coordinated with and agreed to by WSH and the regions prior to implementation.
OSO will prepare, maintain, and issue specifications to the regions to cover the minimum computer and supporting equipment required to operate the OSO-controlled software and data base. OSO will also maintain and update the CSSA Users Manual.
OSO will provide support to the regions via telephone during normal working hours concerning the operation and use of the CSSA. Travel and per diem costs for OSO personnel to travel to the regions to resolve problems with the system will be worked out jointly between the regions and WSH, unless the trips are related to the initial installation of CSSA or to OSO's implementation of modifications. OSO will fund travel and per diem for the latter.
6.3 Regional Headquarters Responsibilities.
6.3.1 Data Input. Approximately every month the regions will submit to OSO, via floppy disks or other approved medium, a copy of the changes made in their regional CSSA data bases. OSO will input the changes to the regional data bases it maintains.
6.3.2 Cooperative Station Service Accountability Software. The regions are not authorized to make any changes to the CSSA software or to the file structures of the regional data bases supported nationally.
The regions may create programs for a specific use if such programs do not interfere with the nationally supported CSSA software. If a region has a program that might benefit all other regions, it may be submitted to OSO for evaluation and approval for incorporation into the nationally supported CSSA software.
6.3.3 Regional Access of National Cooperative Station Service Accountability Data Base. As software is developed in the future, OSO will provide read-only access to the national data base, and the capability to generate-standard reports, to those approved users expressing a need for these data and reports. Approval to access the national CSSA system will be obtained from OSB. Once OSB has approved a user to access the system and notified OSO in writing of this approval, the CMS of OSO will issue a password for the user to gain access to the CSSA data base via telephone. The regions may write software to read this information and may process the data in any way needed.
6.4 National Climatic Data Center Responsibilities. NCDC maintains its own CSSA files based on updates received from the regions. NCDC also provides quality control, informing the appropriate NWSREPs through the regional NWSREP of errors.
7. Publications Available to Cooperative Observers. Several publications are available to cooperative observers for review of their published data, for technical reference, and to encourage rapport between the cooperative observers and their NWSREP. By showing observers how their data are used and that their efforts are appreciated, these publications are intended to provide the feedback that will encourage observing excellence and continued participation in the cooperative program.
7.1 The National Cooperative Observer (NCO). Preparation of the NCO is a cooperative effort involving the regional NWSREP, OSO, and NCDC. This publication is geared to providing items of regional and national scope pertinent to the interest of cooperative observers. Each issue devotes considerable space to photographs of the presentation of length-of-service and other awards and honors to observers. Articles on good observing practices are also published. The NCO is published quarterly.
The duties necessary for publication of NCO are shared, as follows:
a. The regional NWSREPs collect material of interest to their regions and send drafts of items to OSO 1 month before the publication date.
b. NCDC occasionally contributes material of national or local interest.
c. OSO edits the material, lays out the copy, and prepares a camera-ready version for printing. OSO is responsible for the overall accuracy and adequacy of the newsletter.
d. NCDC prints and mails the NCO using OSO funding.
7.2 Climatological Data and Hourly Precipitation Data. Cooperative observers who take climatic and recording precipitation gauge data that are published are given the opportunity to receive free copies of the CD and HPD bulletins in which their data are published. Seeing one's observations in print may be the biggest incentive to many observers to maintain their interest and participation in the cooperative program. If data are not published, observers may receive the HPD and CD, if requested, provided they understand why their data are not listed. Mailing lists are purged periodically to give observers an opportunity to discontinue receiving the publications if they so desire, and when observers quit.
7.3 NWS Observing Handbook #2. Cooperative Station Observations. This is a technical guide for both the NWSREP and the cooperative observer, explaining in some depth the procedures for taking observations and filling out forms and describing how to use and make repairs to observing equipment.
8. Policy on Publishing Cooperative Station Data. This section establishes the policy and criteria for determining which cooperative stations will have their data published by NCDC.
In general, NCDC will publish data from official cooperative stations whenever the region has indicated a requirement to do so on the current WS Form B-44, provided: (1) the station meets the criteria outlined in Section 3, and (2) sufficient resources are available at NCDC to process these additional data. If the number of published stations exceeds NCDC's ability to process these data properly, NCDC can inform NWS that any future requests for publication must be accompanied by offsets. Offsets will be in the form of either ceasing publication of data from a similar type of station or transferring funds from NWS to NCDC to pay the added publication costs.
9. Supplies and Equipment. This section describes responsibilities and methods for keeping cooperative stations supplied with forms and equipment. The regional NWSREP or NWSREP is generally responsible (exceptions indicated below) for arranging delivery of necessary equipment, supplies, and forms required by cooperative stations. Observers may use WS Form B-27 (a postcard) to request supplies or other services. It requires no postage and is addressed to the appropriate office before being given to the observer. Many observers will request supplies, forms, etc., simply by adding a note to their WS Form B-91 or other reporting forms. Supplies that can be mailed should be sent as promptly as possible.
Field offices, such as WSFOs, WFOs, and Weather Service Offices, frequently have contacts with observers who may request supplies or forms. Requests for small items may be filled by the field office, if practicable. Otherwise, the request should be forwarded immediately to the office where the NWSREP is stationed or to the regional NWSREP. All envelopes and reporting cards supplied to the observer for mailing data forms and charts or requesting supplies must have the address of the receiving NWS office or NCDC prestamped. All monthly record forms and precipitation recorder charts will have the station identification numbers stamped on them before they are supplied to the observer.
WSOH-6 describes the procedures to follow in replacing and upgrading observing equipment.
10. Quality Control. One of the most important tasks of the NWSREP is assuring that observations are recorded and reported accurately and that data are received promptly by users. Otherwise, the value of the observing program degrades significantly or becomes useless. Forms and charts which are not received at NCDC by their cutoff dates will not be published. If one month's report is incomplete or missing, no monthly precipitation total can be determined or published, nor can an average annual temperature be published. Nevertheless, it is important that even late forms be submitted to NCDC for processing and archiving, as they will be accepted for inclusion into the digital data base and the annual publications. See WSOH-6 for information on finding and correcting errors, and NCDC error-correction measures.
11. Maintaining Good Observer Performance and Morale. Providing motivation to the observer is one of the most important functions of the NWSREP. The good NWSREP must be part psychiatrist and part salesperson. Human nature is such that most people perform best when they receive positive feedback for their efforts. Although the most obvious reward for many people (money) is not a factor for most cooperative observers, other forms of feedback can compensate for this and have long been vital to the success of the cooperative program. NWSREP visits and phone calls to observers, awards (Section 12), and seeing their observations in print (Section 7) are the most important forms of feedback. See WSOH-6 for more information on observer motivation and handling the problem observer.
<a