Introduction to the NWS
Cooperative Observer Program

This web page is presented to honor the National Weather Service's Cooperative Weather Observers.

Approximately 12,000 Cooperative Weather Observers across the United States net the public more per dollar expended than any other government service in the world. Cooperative Weather Observers donate more than a million hours each year to obtain weather data. Observers provide the precious stream of weather information that we need to forecast the weather, issue weather warnings, and record the climates of the United States.

"All science begins with observation" is a phrase that is never truer than for the sciences of meteorology and hydrology. Attempting to predict what continuously changing fluids and gases (the atmosphere and the water cycle) will do in the future makes the accurate and timely weather observation extremely important. The National Weather Service's Cooperative Observers supply a large share of available data in solving problems concerning nearly all aspects of life.

The present day Cooperative Observers can trace their tradition back to Colonial days. Long before a National Weather Service was established, people with a curiosity to learn more about the weather began to record their observations of the atmosphere and weather phenomena in the vicinity of their settlements.

The Reverend John Campanius Holm, a Swedish chaplain in the Swede's Fort Colony near what is now Wilmington, Delaware, recorded the first known observations in the American Colonies. This was more than 350 years ago in 1644 and 1645.

Many famous Americans kept detailed daily weather records. We all know the fabled story of Benjamin Franklin flying his kite in a thunderstorm, but he contributed much more. Franklin was probably the first person to track a hurricane along the Atlantic Coast by using a network of observers. He was Postmaster General in 1743 and was able to get weather reports from postmasters along the coast. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson also kept weather records.

Jefferson envisioned a nationwide network of weather observers as early as 1797, when he outlined a plan for providing weather instruments to someone in every county of Virginia, so that a regular statewide record might be maintained.

A plan of this kind was not established until almost 100 years later when, in 1891, the Weather Bureau was charged with the task of "taking such meteorological observations as may be necessary to establish and record the climatic conditions of the United States." In compliance with these directions, the Weather Bureau relied heavily, as it does to this day, on voluntary Cooperative Observers.

Our present day Cooperative Observers record and transmit their weather observations in much the same spirit as our early pioneers.

Ed Stoll, a Nebraska farmer, was 19 years old when he began taking weather observations. He was still recording weather observations 76 years later. Mr. Stoll was invited to the White House by President Carter and chatted with the President in the Oval Office. The Cooperative Observer Award for 50 years of service is named after Mr. Stoll.

Ruby Stufft, another Nebraskan, became the first woman to complete 70 years of government service as a volunteer observer. A 70-year service award was named in her honor and she was the first recipient. Ruby's husband had volunteered to take over the duties of the weather observer for Elsmere, Nebraska, in 1920, but after a few weeks decided it was not for him. His teenage wife volunteered and continued to be the Elsmere observer well into her nineties.

The observer at Coushatta, Louisiana was reading a river gauge installed on a bridge when a passing truck struck him. Before going to the Doctor for treatment, he insisted on calling in his observation to the Weather Office.

Cooperative Weather Observers come from all walks of life; they may be farmers, ranchers, lawyers, storekeepers, ministers, teachers, construction workers, and retirees. Organizations such as radio and television stations, schools, and public utilities are also examples of places that may maintain a Cooperative Weather Station.

Cooperative Observers are dedicated and have a strong sense of duty. They are usually involved in other service-oriented endeavors in their communities. We salute the many individuals, families, and institutions who tirelessly provide the valuable service of supplying the National Weather Service and the citizens of the United States with valuable weather information that continues to acquire greater value with time.

On behalf of all weather personnel at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman:

THANK YOU!

Cooperative Weather Observers
of the National Weather Service