What is the Coop Program?

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.

The COOP was formally created in 1890 under the Organic Act. Its mission is two-fold:

• To provide observational meteorological data, usually consisting of daily maximum and minimum temperatures, snowfall, and 24-hour precipitation totals, required to define the climate of the United States and to help measure long-term climate changes
• To provide observational meteorological data in near real-time to support forecast, warning and other public service programs of the NWS.

COOP observational data supports the NWS climate program and field operations. The program responsibilities include:

• Selecting data sites
• Recruiting, appointing and training of observers
• Installing and maintaining equipment
• Keeping station documentation observer payroll
• Collecting data and its delivering it to users
• Maintaining data quality control
• Managing fiscal and human resources required to accomplish program objectives.