Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NWS is seeking public and stakeholder input on the modernization of the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). COOP is congressionally directed and represents a foundational meteorological network that has provided critical data via a volunteer network since 1890--the longest continuous record of weather stations in the country. To transition this historic network into a real-time observing program, the NWS aims to deploy commercial sensor technology, automate data collection to reduce volunteer burden, optimize the national footprint to address geographic data gaps, and leverage mesonet data as a key network augmentation tool. This Request for Comment (RFC) specifically elicits feedback on how stakeholders currently utilize COOP data, the utility of shifting to sub-hourly reporting, and considerations for network modernization and optimization. By gathering these insights, the NWS intends to shape a more agile, technologically advanced network that efficiently meets evolving operational and stakeholder needs. This RFC is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals or solicitation for a contract or grant award, nor does it obligate the Government in any way. A complementary, forthcoming RFC in https://Sam.gov will be the appropriate venue for offering any voluntary information regarding potential commercial solutions to COOP data collection.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648-XV204] ( printed page 24843) AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comment. SUMMARY: The NWS is seeking public and stakeholder input on the modernization of the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). COOP is congressionally directed and represents a foundational meteorological network that has provided critical data via a volunteer network since 1890—the longest continuous record of weather stations in the country. To transition this historic network into a real-time observing program, the NWS aims to deploy commercial sensor technology, automate data collection to reduce volunteer burden, optimize the national footprint to address geographic data gaps, and leverage mesonet data as a key network augmentation tool. This Request for Comment (RFC) specifically elicits feedback on how stakeholders currently utilize COOP data, the utility of shifting to sub-hourly reporting, and considerations for network modernization and optimization. By gathering these insights, the NWS intends to shape a more agile, technologically advanced network that efficiently meets evolving operational and stakeholder needs. This RFC is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals or solicitation for a contract or grant award, nor does it obligate the Government in any way. A c…
Citation: 91 FR 24843
