Back-to-Back Pacific Storms to Impact the West Coast; Heavy Snow in the Central Appalachians

Back-to-back powerful Pacific storm systems to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern California through the end of this week with heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow. A strong, long-duration atmospheric river will accompany the Pacific storms, bringing excessive rainfall and flash flooding to southwest Oregon and northwest California through the week. Read More >

Overview

1998-1999

2000-2005

2006-2010

2011-2015

2016-2020

2021-Present

The National Weather Service’s Cooperative Weather Observer Program has given scientists and researchers continuous observational data since the program’s inception more than a century ago. Today, over 10,000 volunteer observers participate in the nationwide program to provide daily reports on temperature, precipitation and other weather factors such as snow depth, river levels and soil temperature.

Weather records retain their importance as time goes by. Long and continuous records provide an accurate picture of a locale’s normal weather, and give climatologists and others a basis for predicting future trends. These data are invaluable for scientists studying floods, droughts and heat and cold waves. At the end of each month, observers mail their records to the National Climatic Data Center for publication in “Climatological Data” or “Hourly Precipitation Data.”

The first extensive network of cooperative stations was set up in the 1890s as a result of an 1890 act of Congress that established the U.S. Weather Bureau. Many of the stations have even longer histories. John Campanius Holm’s weather records, taken without benefit of instruments in 1644 and 1645, were the earliest known recorded observations in the United States.

Many historic figures have maintained weather records, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson maintained an almost unbroken record of weather observations between 1776 and 1816, and Washington took weather observations just a few days before he died. The Jefferson and Holm awards are named for these weather observation pioneers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has celebrated over 200 years of science and service to the nation. From establishment of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey by Thomas Jefferson in 1807 to formation of the Weather Bureau and the Commission of Fish and Fisheries in the 1870s, much of America's scientific heritage is rooted in NOAA.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

1998 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Allen G. Hellesund of Timber Lake, SD. Pictured from left to right are South Dakota State Senator Bill Johnson, Mr. Hellesund, William Tallman, Meteorologist In Charge, Mrs. Hellesund, and Raymond Studnicka, Hydrometeorological Technician.

1999 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Ruth Robertson of Mellette, SD. Pictured from left to right are Beth Smith (Sen. Daschle's office); Sara Sahli (Sen. Johnson's office); Ruth Robertson; Mark Vaux (Congressman Thune's office)

1999 Service Award Recipients

The 50-Year Service Award was presented to the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Pictured from left to right are Marcia Haaland, William Schultze, and Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician.

The 40-Year Service Award was presented to Walter Danekas of Raymond, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Bill Tallman, Meteorologist In Charge, Walter Danekas, and Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician.

2002 Holm Award Recipients

The Holm Award was presented to Charles Bowar of Kennebec, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Glenn Nielsen, Hydrometeorological Technician, Charles Bowar, and Ray Studnicka, Hydrometeorological Technician.

The Holm Award was presented to Erdon Barrie of Kennebec, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Tim Kearns, Data Acquisition Program Manager, Mrs. Barrie, Erdon Barrie, and Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician.

2003 Jefferson Award Recipient

The Thomas Jefferson Award was presented to Allen Hellesund of Timber Lake South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Bill Tallman, Meteorologist in Charge; Mr Allen Hellesund; and Glenn Nielsen, Hydrometeorological Technician. The ceremony was held at the Timber Lake Museum and attended by nearly the entire town.

2003 Holm Award Recipient

Representatives from the entire South Dakota Congressional Delegation were on hand to present Evelyn Quade of Wilmot, South Dakota with the John Campanious Holm Award. Pictured from left to right are Beth Smith from Senator Daschle’s office; Evelyn Quade; Sharon Stroschein from Senator Johnson’s office; and Judy Vrchota from Congressman Janklow’s office. The ceremony was held at the Aberdeen WFO.

2003 Service Award Recipients

Bradley and Roger Bauer of McIntosh SD, receive a 25 year length of service award. Glenn Nielsen, Hydrometeorological Technician at the National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD presented the award at the Bauer’s farm located 6 miles southeast of McIntosh.

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD was honored to present Milton and Phyllis Stiegelmeier of Selby, SD with a 20 year Service Award during their retirement from the Cooperative Observing Program.

2004 Jefferson Award Recipient

The Thomas Jefferson Award was presented to Charles Hanson of Artichoke Lake, Minnesota. Pictured from left to right are Tim Kearns, Data Acquisition Program Manager, Charles Hanson, Bob Bonack, NWS Central Region Headquarters COOP Program Manager, and Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician.

2004 Service Award Recipients

The 30-Year Service Award was presented to Darrell and Phyllis Kent of Redfield, South Dakota. Pictured is Phyllis Kent.

The 20-Year Service Award was presented to H.T. Desnoyers of Clark, South Dakota. Presenting the award is Tim Kearns, Data Acquisition Program Manager.

2005 50-Year Award Recipient

The 50-Year Service Award was presented to Evelyn Quade of Wilmot, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician, Tim Kearns, Data Acquisition Program Manager, Evelyn Quade, and Dan Chaloupka.

2006 Holm Award Recipients

The Holm Award was presented to Dale and Donna Meyer of Pollock, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Glenn Nielsen, Hydrometeorological Technician, Donna Meyer, Dale Meyer, and Jim Scarlett, Meteorologist in Charge.

The Holm Award was presented to Marvin Seyer of Ipswich, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Jim Scarlett, Meteorologist in Charge, Sharon Strochein, U.S. Senator Johnson's office, Mrs. Seyer, Marvin Seyer, and Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician.

2006 Service Award Recipient

The 50-Year Service Award was presented to Mildred Guse of Bryant, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician, Mildred Guse, and Jim Scarlett, Meteorologist in Charge.

2007 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Rick Knutson of Summit, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Jim Scarlett, Meteorologist in Charge, Rick Knutson, Dianne Knutson and Kenny Gillespie, Hydrometeorological Technician.

2007 Service Award Recipient

The 50-Year Service Award was presented to Allen Hellesund of Timber Lake, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Glenn Nielsen, Hydrometeorological Technician, Allen Hellesund, and Jim Scarlett, Meteorologist in Charge.

2008 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Bob Pierce of Onida, South Dakota. Presenting the award is Jim Scarlett, Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service office in Aberdeen.

2009 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Henry Desnoyers of Clark, South Dakota. Pictured for left to right: Jim scarlett (MIC), Tim Kearns (DAPM), Ken Gillespie (HMT), Glenn Nielsen (HMT), Henry Desnoyers, Barb Desnoyers (Henry's Wife), Dr. Dennis Todey (State Climatologist), Kathy Desnoyers (Henry's Sister).

Recognizing 25 years of service to America, NOAA’s National Weather Service has named Clark resident H.T. Desnoyers as a 2009 recipient of the agency’s John Campanius Holm Award for outstanding service in the Cooperative Weather Observer Program. The award is the agency’s second most prestigious and only 25 are presented this year to cooperative weather observers from around the country.

The Clark, SD station is part of the nation's Historical Climate Network due to its quality data and long period of record. The Clark SD COOP site has been run off and on by the Desnoyers family for the last 57 years. In May of 1952, Henry's father became the Clark observer. With the help of his sister, they took observations as a family until 1961 when Henry's father passed away. Henry's sister, Kathy, took over full responsibility until she moved away to attend college in 1964.

From 1964 until 1984, the Desnoyers next door neighbor, John Wagner took the official observations. In 1984 John could no longer continue his service, so he passed the responsibility back to the Desnoyers family and Henry took over and has continued ever since. The Desnoyers family has been instrumental in continuing the long history of the Clark COOP site whose beginnings date back to 1895.

2010 Jefferson Award Recipient

The Jefferson Award was presented to Charles Bowar of Kennebec, South Dakota.

2010 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Tom Bartholomew of Faulkton, South Dakota.

2011 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Walter and Avis Brandenburger of Victor, South Dakota.

2012 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to the Bauer Family of McIntosh, South Dakota.

2013 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Leland Treichel of Roscoe, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Tonya Peterson (Sen. Johnson's Representative), Leland Treichel, James Scarlett (Meteorologist in Charge), and Aimee Kamp (Sen. Thune's Representative)

On Tuesday, September 3, the National Weather Service presented Leland Treichel of Roscoe, SD with the prestigious John Campanius Holm Award. This is a national award and only 17 out of the over 10,000 cooperative weather observers were selected this year. In honor of Leland, Governor Daugaard issued an Executive Proclamation declaring September 3, 2013 as Leland Treichel Day in South Dakota.

2013 Jefferson Award Recipient

The Jefferson Award was presented to Marvin Seyer of Ipswich, South Dakota. Pictured from left to right are Judy Vrchota from Senator Thune's office; Marvin Seyer; James Scarlett (Meteorologist in Charge), and Sharon Stroschein from Senator Johnson's office. The ceremony was held at the Aberdeen NWS office.

On Tuesday, September 10, the National Weather Service presented Marvin Seyer of Ipswich, SD with the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a National Weather Service Cooperative Observer. This is a national award and only 5 out of the over 10,000 cooperative weather observers across the United States were selected this year. In honor of Marvin, Governor Daugaard issued an Executive Proclamation declaring September 10, 2013 as Marvin Seyer Day in South Dakota.

2014 Holm Award Recipient

The Holm Award was presented to Larry Blaseg of Miller, SD

2020 Jefferson Award Recipient

The Jefferson Award was presented to Diane and Rick Knutson of Summit, South Dakota.

2020 Service Award Recipients

The Edward H. Stoll Award was presented to Robert Pierce of Onida, South Dakota for serving 50 years as a Cooperative Weather Observer. The Family Heritage Award was presented to the Pierce Family, for serving 50 years as well.

The Dick Hagemeyer Award was presented to Marvin Seyer of Ipswich, South Dakota for serving 45 years as a Cooperative Weather Observer.

2022 Service Award Recipient

The Family Heritage Award for 50 years of distinguished service to the Nation through the Cooperative Observer Program was presented to the Hanson Family of Correll, Minnesota. The Hanson Family has been reporting daily temperature and precipitation readings to the National Weather Service since September 1st, 1972. They hold an impressive record of accurate and timely observations, hardly missing a day over the course of the last 50 years.