Fire Weather in the Central and Southern Plains; Pacific Storms Impacting the West

Gusty to high winds and low relative humidity will bring elevated to critical fire weather to the central and southern Plains into Wednesday. Two Pacific storms will impact the western U.S. into Wednesday with gusty winds, low elevation rain, and heavy mountain snow. Read More >

Cooperative Observer Program

Cooperative Observer Background

What is the Cooperative Observer Program?

Becoming a Cooperative Observer

Becoming an NWS Cooperative Observer volunteer requires the following:

Dedication to public service

Attention to detail

Ability to lean and perform daily duties

Willingness to allow NWS to place measuring instruments on your property

Willingness to allow at least one visit per year from an NWS representative

Additionally, the following capabilities are useful but are not mandatory:

Ownership of a personal computer with modem and familiarity with its basic uses

Established internet access

Information on equipment used by NWS Cooperative Observers

If you are selected to become an official NWS Cooperative Station, the NWS will provide you with the training and supervision you will need to perform your duties. Depending on your stations instrumentation, your site will be visited once or twice every 12 months, and more often if unscheduled maintenance or training updates are required.

If you are interested in becoming an NWS Cooperative Observer in the NWS Aberdeen County Warning Area, please call the office at (605) 225-0519.

Cooperative Observer Sites in Our Area

Below is a list of the longest running Cooperative Observer sites in our area:

Location	Time Active
Clark, SD	1893-Present
Highmore, SD	1893-Present
Kennebec, SD	1893-Present
Milbank, SD	1893-Present
Castlewood, SD	1893-1898, 1906-present
Gann Valley, SD	1897-Present
Murdo, SD	1907-Present
Pollock, SD	1908-Present
Eureka. SD	1908-Present
Onida, SD	1913-Present
Britton, SD	1913-Present
Artichoke Lake, MN	1917-Present

Cooperative Observer Awards

Cooperative Observer Award Recipients by Year. â€‹*Note, this is not a comprehensive list.
About NWS Cooperative Observer Individual Awards

Cooperative Observer Reports

Enter the WXCoder III Site, the newest internet based reporting system for COOP Observers

ABR RSS Feed

Fire Weather in the Central and Southern Plains; Pacific Storms Impacting the West

NWS Aberdeen SD - Cooperative Observer Program