A cooperative weather station is a station at which observations are taken or other services are rendered by volunteers. For over a century, these volunteers have donated their time to document their area's weather by taking instrumental or visual observations and transmitting reports. Their efforts have served to build one of the most comprehensive data bases in the world. It is estimated that the Cooperative Observers donate their time to the tune of over a million hours a year, making the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program one of the Nation's most cost effective government sponsored programs. The network numbers nearly 12,000 volunteers nationwide. In our County Warning Area, the network consists of 35 stations, 17 of which are published by the National Climatic Data Center.
The mission of the Cooperative Program is to provide observational data required to define the climate of the United States and to help measure long-term climate changes. Observational data provided in near real time supports forecasts, warnings, and other public service programs of our office.
If you are dedicated, and wish to participate in the Cooperative Weather Observing Program, and live in the Deep South Texas area, contact Jim Campbell by e-mail or at our office address.