2026-09099: Request for Comments on the National Weather Service Cooperative Observing Program (COOP)
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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.
The agency’s own summary, as published.
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