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Snow Continues in the Great Lakes; Above Normal Temperatures in the West

Lake effect snow will continue into the weekend as two more quick moving systems will bring widespread snow to the Upper Great Lakes. High winds are expected across portions of Montana through the weekend. Below normal temperatures will remain in place across much of the southern and eastern U.S., while the western U.S. will experience above normal temperatures. Read More >

The National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) is truly the Nation's weather and climate observing network of, by and for the people. More than 11,000 volunteers take observations on farms, in urban and suburban areas, National Parks, seashores, and mountaintops.  The data are truly representative of where people live, work and play.

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.

Each dot on this map represents the location of a COOP Observer in the Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN County Warning Area (CWA). Click on the map to display a full resolution version.

Cooperative Observers across Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin

Rainfall Observers are also needed across Minnesota and Wisconsin. If you are interested, please see the web site for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS).

Submit a Daily Weather Report Through WxCoder

Request Additional Coop Observer Forms

Additional Cooperative Observers are Needed

National Cooperative Observer Web Page

Instructional Materials for Coop Observers

Weather Instruments Used by the Coop Observers

Latest Daily Reports from our Cooperative Observers (maps)

National Climatic Data Center (where observations are archived)