Request for Comments on the National Weather Service Cooperative Observing Program (COOP)
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
| Agency | Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
|---|---|
| Document type | Notice |
| Published | 2026-05-07 |
| 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 o |
| Document number | 2026-09099 |
| Official record | https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/07/2026-09099/request-for-comments-on-the-national-weather-service-cooperative-observing-program-coop |