G.6. NWS Cooperative Observer Program (COOP)
- Purpose of network:
o Provide observational, meteorological data required to define U.S. climate and help measure long-term climate changes.
o Provide observational, meteorological data in near real-time to support forecasting and warning mechanisms and other public service programs of the NWS.
- Primary management agency: NOAA (NWS).
- Data website: data are available from the NCDC (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov), RCCs (e.g., WRCC, http://www.wrcc.dri.edu), and state climate offices.
- Measured weather/climate elements:
o Maximum, minimum, and observation-time temperature.
o Precipitation, snowfall, snow depth.
o Pan evaporation (some stations).
- Sampling frequency: daily.
- Reporting frequency: daily or monthly (station-dependent).
- Estimated station cost: $2000 with maintenance costs of $500–900/year.
- Network strengths:
o Decade–century records at most sites.
o Widespread national coverage (thousands of stations).
o Excellent data quality when well maintained.
o Relatively inexpensive; highly cost effective.
o Manual measurements; not automated.
