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Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >

Recognizing outstanding service to America, NOAA’s National Weather Service has named Robert Watts a 2012 recipient of the John Campanius Holm Award for outstanding service in the Cooperative Weather Observer Program. The award is the agency’s second most prestigious and only 14 are presented this year to cooperative weather observers from around the country.

The award was presented to Mr. Watts during a ceremony at East Kentucky University's Manchester Campus on October 4th, 2012.  Watts is an employee of East Kentucky University and the manager of the Lilley Cornett Woods Appalachian Ecological Research Station in Letcher County.  He has assisted the National Weather Service by taking daily weather observations for 38 years.

Robert Watts presented with the John Campanius Holm Award - October 4th, 2012

Pictured (left to right): NWS Jackson Observation Program Leader David Stamper, NWS Jackson Meteorologist-in-Charge Shawn Harley, NWS Jackson Hydrometeorological Technician Tabitha Brewer, and Holm Award recipient Robert Watts.