WFO Albuquerque Hosts First Weather Data Awareness Week

WFO Albuquerque Observation Program Leader Joe Alfieri (red shirt) discusses observation equipment with city net and cooperative observers.(Photo by Ed Polasko, WFO Albuquerque)

During the week of March 7th, the staff of WFO Albuquerque held its first "Weather Data Awareness Week". During the week, the staff discussed the importance of weather data with the media as well as its availability and value to a wide spectrum of customers. Staff members also participated in a Community Collaborative Rainfall Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) training session with the Colorado State Climate Office.

State Climatologist Nolan Doesken was on hand to help train new observers for the CoCoRaHS supplemental network. This network posts precipitation event information, including mapping of precipitation reports - on the Internet.

WFO Albuquerque topped the week off with an open house on Cooperative Observer Appreciation Day for cooperative weather observers and city rainfall observers who participate in the metropolitan network of observers co-managed by the WFO and the Albuquerque Flood Control Authority. By day's end, more than 100 visitors and media had toured the office.