Two Cooperative Observers Receive 25-Year Length of Service Award

Cooperative observers from two locations in the Hastings county warning area were recently presented with awards for their continuing participation in the National Weather Service Cooperative Observing Program. Barbara Baca, of Furnas County, Nebraska and Robert Dietz, of Smith County, Kansas have both been reporting daily weather data to the National Weather Service for the past 25 years. Data Acquisition Program Manager Marla K. Doxey from the NWS office in Hastings presented these awards for continuing service on August 4. Below is a writeup of each award:

Barbara Baca     Click to see picture.
Barbara Baca, of Furnas County, was recently presented with a 25 year Length of Service Award by Marla K. Doxey from the National Weather Service. Since May of 1980, Barbara has been reporting the 24 hour precipitation amounts. Following a rain or snow event, Barbara phones in her report to the National Weather Service Office in Hastings, Nebraska. This information is then relayed to the River Forecast Center in Kansas City and to surrounding offices. The information is also added to the Regional Temperature and Precipitation product, which is used by numerous customers on a daily basis.

At the end of the month, Barbara's monthly form is mailed to the National Weather Service and then forwarded to the National Climatic Data Center and the state climatologist. The information is used by a wide variety of users and helps to establish the climate database for their area.

Robert Dietz    Click to see picture.
Robert Dietz was also presented with a 25 year Length of Service Award. Marla K. Doxey, from the National Weather Service, presented Robert with the award. Since July of 1980, Robert has been reporting the precipitation. He also phones in storm reports from around the area, which are used in real-time verification of severe weather warnings and to help forecasters narrow down areas of particularly severe weather.

Thanks to all of our cooperative observers for all of their continuing daily service!




Pictures of Barbara and Robert