Notice2026-09099
Request for Comments on the National Weather Service Cooperative Observing Program (COOP)
Primary source
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Published
May 7, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24843-24844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09099]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XV204]
Request for Comments on the National Weather Service Cooperative
Observing Program (COOP)
AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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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 complementary,
forthcoming RFC in <a href="https://Sam.gov">https://Sam.gov</a> will be the appropriate venue for
offering any voluntary information regarding potential commercial
solutions to COOP data collection.
DATES: To ensure consideration, you must submit comments regarding this
request for comment on or before June 8, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit statements
addressing some or all of the questions listed below. Submit via email
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#61222e2e314f020e0c0c040f1512210f0e00004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71323e3e215f121e1c1c141f0502311f1e10105f161e07">[email protected]</span></a> and include ``Stakeholder Feedback on NWS
COOP Modernization'' in the subject line of the message. If responding
to any of the specific questions posed below, please label each of your
statements to correspond with the relevant question. These questions
are designed to elicit relevant public feedback; however, response to
some or all questions is not necessary for the agency's full
consideration of the comment.
Responses should be limited to 10 pages, inclusive of a 1-page
executive summary and any supporting appendices, title page(s), tables,
graphics, images, and figures. Responses should include standard
margins and 12-point font. Information must be submitted in Microsoft
Word DOCX or Adobe Acrobat PDF format and be received no later than
11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 8, 2026. The Government is not
obligated to review responses received after the deadline.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions or comments regarding
this notice, please send your inquiries to Janine Scianna, NWS Chief of
Staff, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147e757a7d7a713a67777d757a7a75547a7b75753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9d3d8d7d0d7dc97cadad0d8d7d7d8f9d7d6d8d897ded6cf">[email protected]</span></a>, or via phone at (240) 622-9359.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: COOP is a foundational NWS meteorological
observation network established by the Organic Act of 1890 to record
the climatic conditions of the United States. The National Integrated
Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018 further
underscored the program's importance, and directed the NWS to (among
other things) modernize and optimize the program, ensure data
continuity from long-term sites, and reduce the burden on volunteers.
For over 130 years, this program has relied on a vast network of
dedicated volunteers to provide critical daily reports on temperature,
precipitation, snowfall, and snow depth. This authoritative data is
essential for a wide range of operational needs, from supporting
agricultural planning and disaster declarations to validating radar
environmental conditions and establishing the nation's long-term
climate records.
Since the inception of the COOP program, weather sensor technology
has rapidly advanced, and the availability of other non-Federal, high
quality surface observation datasets has also grown. The NWS aims to
improve and modernize this historic network by leveraging modern
commercial sensor technology and optimizing the network footprint to
more efficiently and effectively deliver key surface observation data.
Primary objectives include:
<bullet> Upgrading aging COOP equipment with easier-to-maintain
commercially available weather observation systems;
<bullet> Automating data collection to reduce volunteer burden;
<bullet> Increasing observations in data-sparse regions;
<bullet> Integrating other high-quality environmental data (e.g.,
state and private mesonets) sets to augment federally-provided COOP
data where appropriate;
<bullet> Right-sizing and optimizing the scope and coverage of the
existing ~6,700-site COOP network.
Public comment will directly inform our transition to a more agile,
technologically advanced backbone that continues to meet the NWS
mission while addressing the evolving needs of the stakeholder
community. We invite you to provide your feedback and expertise to help
shape the future of this critical national resource.
Issues for Comment
We invite stakeholders to provide detailed information on their
current use of COOP data in operations, research, and decision-making
to help the NWS identify which data streams are most essential to
maintain and enhance through the modernization process. We also request
feedback on the utility of shifting from daily to sub-hourly reporting
and adding automated parameters not currently collected by COOP
observers. We request input on geographic optimization, specifically
identifying where COOP is the sole or primary observation source, and
determining when external, high-quality mesonet data can supplement the
Federal backbone of COOP stations. Additionally, the NWS seeks
strategies for maintaining snowfall and snow depth data continuity
during automation and understanding how the volunteer role might evolve
from manual observation to site stewardship.
To this end, NWS has posed the below series of questions designed
to elicit relevant public feedback; however, response to some or all
questions is not necessary for the agency's full consideration of the
comment. We value your insights as we work to modernize this important
observational network.
Questions
I. General Data User Community
1. For what specific operational, research, or business purposes do
you or your organization currently use COOP data?
2. How long have you or your organization been a COOP data user and
how often do you access it?
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3. Are there specific applications for which the COOP program is
the sole or primary data source?
4. How do you assess the reliability and quality of COOP data
compared to other sources such as private or state mesonet network
data?
II. COOP Modernization: Technical Modernization and Scientific
Continuity
1. How do you anticipate the utility of COOP data would change if
the reporting frequency increased from daily to sub-hourly?
2. While temperature and precipitation remain core parameters, some
commercial automated weather systems offer additional parameters such
as relative humidity, solar radiation, and barometric pressure that
have not historically been collected by COOP stations. What additional
parameters would have the greatest impact on your sector's or
organization's uses and why?
3. For stakeholders in legal and insurance sectors, what metadata
or certification requirements are necessary for automated sensor data
to be accepted as prima facie evidence in dispute resolution?
4. Do you have any experience with data sets provided by automated
weather systems? Please share your experiences regarding data utility,
quality, and reliability.
5. Given that most commercial all-in-one automated weather systems
lack sensors for measuring snowfall and snow depth, what strategies
should the National Weather Service consider to maintain data
continuity for these parameters?
III. COOP Modernization: Network Footprint and Optimization
1. What specific geographic or scientific considerations should the
NWS be weighing when determining priority sites for modernization?
2. Are there known areas in your region where the COOP program
provides the only source of high-quality ground-level observations?
3. Are there any clear geographic voids that should be prioritized
for hosting new COOP sites? Are there any other known sources of
reliable and accurate data (e.g., public or private mesonet data) that
are capable of addressing those gaps?
4. The recent growth in high-quality state and private mesonets
represents a key opportunity for the NWS to leverage when optimizing
the COOP network footprint. Under which conditions--such as operating
within high-density data regions or monitoring environmental parameters
of lesser criticality to your application--would data from external
networks be suitable alternatives to federally managed COOP stations?
Please be specific.
IV. Volunteer Engagement
1. Do you have personal experience with hosting or maintaining a
COOP site?
2. For current or potential volunteers, how would your interest in
the program change if the role shifted from daily manual observation to
site stewardship and impact reporting?
3. If your site were automated, would having access to near real-
time local weather observations increase your engagement with the
National Weather Service mission?
4. Do you have any additional feedback about volunteer engagement
or how to improve the overall program?
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 8550.
Dated: May 4, 2026.
Michael Lee Hopkins,
Director, Surface and Upper Air Division, National Weather Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-09099 Filed 5-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KE-P
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