The National Weather Service office in Paducah relies on over one hundred dedicated co-operative weather observers in its area. The observers report daily rainfall, high and low temperatures, and other data. Their data are used to improve river forecasts and flood warnings, along with enhancing the nation's climate database. We at the Paducah office furnish and maintain the equipment used by the observers. At left, a Paducah National Weather Service meteorologist inspects the rain gage at the Smithland Lock and Dam, located on the Ohio River about 20 miles northeast of Paducah. 

Effective in March, 2001, co-operative observers have had the option of transmitting their observations via the Internet. 

The National Weather Service wishes to express its gratitude to its many dedicated observers. Contact our Data Acquisition Program Manager, Mike Nadolski, for more details about the co-op observing program in the Paducah office's area of responsibility.

• More information on the NWS Co-operative Observation program can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/coop/index.htm