NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

IV-ROCS

A new Cooperative Program data acquisition system,  (IV-ROCS), is now available for use. You simply dial a designated phone number, and IV-ROCS voice will direct you through the data entry process.  IV-ROCS will be used as the replacement for the ROSA reporting system that is being used by some observers. If you are a NWS cooperative observer using a ROSA telephone, you may start using IV-ROCS at any time.  NWS representatives will demonstrate the IV-ROCS voice system to observers during this fall and winter as we make our station visits.

You can call or email Mark Ewens, the Data Acquisition Program Manager for more information.

Email: Mark.Ewens@noaa.gov

Phone:(701) 772-0720 x327

Below is a sample of the reporting menu that will be used with IV-ROCS.

1) Select the language.  When asked, enter 1 for English or 2 for Spanish

2) Identify yourself.  Enter your 6 digit station number (beginning with '21' if you live in Minnesota, or '32' if you live in North Dakota) and verify the read back.

3) Enter your data.  The IV-ROCS voice will ask you for your data.  You will only be asked to provide data that your station is equipped to provide.  Observation elements IV-ROCS is capable of recording are: precipitation (including snow), temperature, evaporation, soil temperature and river stage.

Special Features:

1) Key-ahead.  The system has a key-ahead feature.  As soon as you become familiar with the data entry scripts you can key-ahead quickly to speed your data entry.  When you verify or key-ahead the system will stop the script and move to the next script.  It is recommended that an observer not use the key-ahead feature until after the data is repeated to verify the accuracy of the data.

2) Entry Verification.  Enter a # after each entry to let the system know you are done.  The IV-ROCS voice will then read back your entry and ask for verification. Enter 1 if the entry is correct or 2 if you need to make a correction.  You do not need to enter the # after the data verification entry.

3) Special Characters.  Enter precipitation values without a decimal point.  The IV-ROCS will insert the decimal point at the proper place and read the value back to you.  Please remember that rain is entered to the nearest 0.01, snowfall is entered to the nearest 0.1 and snow depth is entered to the nearest inch.  To report a trace of precipitation you can use the * key on your telephone pad.  The * is also used to indicate a negative temperature.

4) Precipitation Types.  The IV-ROCS voice will ask you to report a precipitation type after you enter a precipitation amount.  You can report as many precipitation types as needed.  The precipitation types and their codes are:

5) Email Notification.  If you need your NWS representative to contact you the IV-ROCS will send an e-mail to the local office requesting that they give you a call.  Due to work schedules, it may be a couple of days before you are contacted.  The final script of the session will ask if you need to be contacted.  Enter 1 if you want to be contacted or simple hang-up if you do not.