IV-ROCS Instructions

                        (Interactive Voice-Remote Observation Collection System)

The new Cooperative Observer Program data acquisition system called IV-ROCS is now available for transmitting your observations. If you have been using ROSA to enter your data, begin using IV-ROCS now, as ROSA will soon be phased out. The IV-ROCS voice scripts will prompt the caller during the data process. The following is an outline of what to expect:

After taking your measurements and readings, call IV-ROCS at 1-877-266-7627 and follow the voice prompts.

1.Select the language. When prompted, enter 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.

2.Identify your station. Enter your 6 digit station number ____________. Verify your entry after the voice repeats your station number.  Enter 1 if the entry is correct and 2 if you need to re-enter the station number.

3. Enter your observation time using 4 digits (example 7AM=0700, 2PM=1400).

4. Enter your precipitation amount or melted snow to the nearest hundredth of an inch followed by a # (examples: a TRACE would be entered as an asterisk  "*#" , 0.01 inches is entered as 01#, no precipitation is entered as 00#, 1.12 inches is entered as 112#). Notice: do NOT use a decimal!

5. When prompted, enter the precipitation types that fell during the 24 hour observation period, you will be asked if you have additional types to report.

Precipitation type

            1. Rain *****************************************************************************************Enter 1

            2. Freezing Rain  (freezes on contact with ground or objects) ***************************Enter 2

            3. Drizzle ***************************************************************************************Enter 3 

            4. Freezing Drizzle (freezes on contact with ground or objects) ***************************Enter 4

            5. Snow *****************************************************************************************Enter 5 

            6. Snow Pellets (small, opaque pellets of snow that may burst on contact) **************Enter 6

            7. Snow Grains (very small, white, opaque grains of ice) **********************************Enter 7 

            8. Ice Pellets (transparent pellets of ice/sleet) **********************************************Enter 8

            9. Hail (balls or jagged pieces of ice falling from thunderstorms) *************************Enter 9

6. If prompted, enter your 24 hour snowfall to the nearest tenth of an inch (examples: a TRACE is entered as an asterisk" *#" ,  0.1 is entered as 01#, 9.6 inches is entered as 96#).

                                            Notice: do NOT use a decimal!

If prompted, enter your Snowdepth at obs(this is the depth on the ground at observation time regardless of when it fell, rounded to nearest inch). 

(examples: a half inch is entered as 1#, less than a half inch is entered as an asterisk "*#", 12 inches is entered as 12#.

7.Temperature reports if prompted. Enter your maximum, minimum and at observation temperatures, followed by a #.   For negative temperature values, enter an asterisk* before your temperature value. (Note: Many observers do not take official temperature observations and will not be prompted.)

8.Revised reports. A report may be revised or corrected within 2 hours after the scheduled observation time. You may call the NWS (1-800-452-9074) if you would rather have the NWS correct the report for you.

9.Special Event Reporting. Follow the prompts for special event reporting OR call the NWS with the report.

Special features:

1.Key-ahead. As you become familiar with the data entry scripts, you will be able to use the key-ahead feature to speed data entry. The key-ahead feature allows you to begin entering data while the voice script is still running. The key-ahead feature is not available during the data verification process.

2.Entry verification. The # sign is not required after data verification entries (example: 1 for English, nor after the station number).

3.Special Characters.  To report a TRACEof precipitation, enter a *#. The * is also used to indicate a negative temperaturevalue.     DO NOT USE DECIMAL POINTS WHEN ENTERING PRECIPITATION VALUES, THE PROGRAM WILL INSERT THE DECIMALS IN THE CORRECT LOCATION.

4.Missing Data. Enter a # to indicate your data is missing for that prompt. The system will ask for verification after your #. Press 1 to confirm and 2 to reenter the data.

5.E-mail Notification. The final voice script will ask if you want a NWS employee to contact you (if you have questions or want to request supplies, etc.). If you do not need assistance, just hang up.

Observers using the web-based WXCODER program can use IV-ROCS as a backup if your internet connection is down.