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The Cooperative Weather
Observer (CWO) is the backbone of the climate network
worldwide. Even with the advances in technology during the last
100 years, including RADAR, satellite and Weather Radio, the CWO
is needed. Needed to report what is happening and what has
happened. Part of the duties of the National Weather Service
Representative NWSREP is the presentation of awards.
Awards are given to CWO's who have faithfully supplied data for
10 years or more. Additional awards are presented at the 15 and
25 year mark in their career.
The 10
year Award is given
after a CWO has provided continuous (or nearly continuous) daily
weather reports to the local National Weather Service Office.
Typically, the CWO is awarded his or her certificate at a simple
ceremony in the observers home or place of business.
Awards are also given to
institutions who act as CWO's, such as Radio or T.V. stations,
Water Treatment Plants and even State run schools. Typically
these awards are presented to a specific individual who
represents the entire institution.
The CWO is the unsung hero of
the National Climatic Database. When engineers wish to build a
bridge across a river, or a skyscraper in a developing city, they
turn to the weather data which has been compiled by the CWO. When
police need to investigate an accident, or the Legal Profession
wishes to settle a dispute, they frequently turn to the weather
records provided by the CWO.
Weather information is one of
the major commodities which flows freely worldwide, even during
periods of war. It is the most talked about item on many folks
agenda. We cannot build, plan or develop without looking to the
weather charts for some guidance. It is for this reason that we
celebrate the CWO.
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