As we have been stressing over the past few newsletters, the National Weather Service is putting more and more information on-line. Not only does this reflect the trend of technology and digital age, it makes the availability of data so easy to access for the ordinary individual. If you have not done so lately, visit the National Web Page devoted to the Cooperative Observer. Not only will you find interesting links, but also there are down-loadable handbooks and training materials for various types of observations. Also on this web page is the National Research Council's Report on the Future of the Cooperative Observer Program that makes an interesting read. Volunteer weather observers conscientiously contribute their time so that observations can
provide the vital information needed. These data are invaluable in learning more about the floods, droughts, heat and cold waves affecting us all. The data are also used in agricultural planning and assessment, engineering, environmental-impact assessment, utilities planning, and litigation. COOP data plays a critical role in efforts to recognize and evaluate the extent of human impacts on climate from local to global scales. The NWS cannot say, nor do enough to stress how important, and how appreciated that the Cooperative Observer is.
Toby Mailman, above, COOP observer at Danforth, recently was awarded his 10 year length of service recognition award. Toby has consistently provided us in the Caribou NWS office with top quality observations, and has served as a severe weather spotter.
Left is a photo of Mr. David Holabird, representing WPS Maine, receiving a 75 year Institutional award for ongoing activities at the Squa Pan Dam COOP site. WFO Caribou MIC Larry Gabric is shown presenting the award. For more than 75 years, WPS employees at Squa Pan Dam have taken daily COOP reports, lake storage and release readings, and weekly snow core samples for use by the NWS and others.
