Candy Pellman of McClusky is among 131 volunteer weather observers who keep tabs on the weather for the Bismarck office of the National Weather Service. On May 1, she received a service award for 10 years of work.

Other area people who received awards include Stanley Markusen, of Karlsruhe, 10-year award and Tom Miller of Towner, 20-year individual award. Miller's family has been serving for 33 years. Markusen and Miller were presented awards in June.

The data the cooperative observers collect is used in many ways, said Sandra Wiche, cooperative program manager at the National Weather Service Office in Bismarck.

She said the data is used to help contractors design buildings, along with the heating and cooling systems that go into them. Construction crews use the data to determine the number of days they should allow for rain, snow or freezing conditions.

"The information provided by such observers as Candy Pellman helps farmers estimate when to plant and harvest, and aids geneticists in developing hardier crop strains," Wiche said.

She said insurance companies rely on the weather data for determining insurance rates, and attorneys seek the information on weather conditions for clients who are involved in weather-related litigation.

She said other groups that make use of cooperative weather observations include tourism departments, vacationers, schools and most state and federal agencies.

"Weather information collected from the vast network of cooperative observers is the most widely used data set in the National Weather Service, and observers like Candy Pellman should be very proud," Wiche said.

Becoming an observer

Becoming a National Weather Service observer volunteer requires the following, Wiche said:

Dedication to public service.

Attention to detail.

Ability to learn and perform daily duties.

Willingness to allow the National Weather Service to place measuring instruments on their property.

Willingness to allow at least one visit per year from a National Weather Service representative.

The following capabilities are useful but not mandatory, Wiche said:

Ownership of a personal computer with modem and familiarity with its basic uses.

Established Internet access.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer weather observer can contact Len Peterson at the National Weather Service Bismarck Office at 223-4582 or visit the Web site at (www.crh.noaa.gov/bis).

Bismarck weather office

North Dakota is divided into two regions serviced by two separate weather forecast offices, Wiche said. She said the Bismarck office, which is in charge of the western and central parts of the state, currently has 131 cooperative observers.

"These observers are highly dedicated volunteers who not only give of their time, but also face harsh conditions in order to get these observations to our office. They are truly extraordinary," Wiche said.

She said some weather observers have volunteered their time for 50 years or more.

She said the observers' daily weather readings are recorded and sent to the Bismarck office for quality control. It is then sent to the National Climactic Data center, which archives the data.

The basic distribution of cooperative stations in the nationwide network are governed by a 1953 Iowa State University study.

That study determined a spacing of about one station every 25 miles or one per 625 square miles was sufficient to adequately define the climate of the United States in areas of homogeneous terrain. Greater densities are allowed in areas with large differences in elevation, or steep land-sea-lake interfaces.

Because the network is 110 years old, established in 1890, Wiche said many areas already have the necessary stations operating. However, about 200 observers resign each year, which is about four per state. She said changing requirements also can expand the need for observers.