Higgins honored for outstanding service as volunteer cooperative observer

NOAA's National Weather Service has selected Sharon Higgins, resident of Ridgway, as a recipient of the 2023 John Campanius Holm Award for 28 years of distinguished service to the Nation through the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP program). Kurt Hooley, Observing Program Leader, will present the award to Higgins during a webinar ceremony to be held on October 10th at 2 p.m. The who would like to watch the ceremony online can access it at the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/995380613715826518 .

Higgins has consistently provided over 10,200 highly reliable daily weather observations to the Billings Forecast Office. Over the past 28 years, she has provided some of the most accurate and reliable data in southeast Montana. Higgins understands the importance of accurate, timely, and reliable weather data. The data she provides is used by many entities such as researchers and universities, as well as government agencies at the local, state and federal level to name a few.

"Sharon is a fabulous ambassador for the National Weather Service's COOP program," said Kurt Hooley, Observing Program Leader.

Higgins has been reporting daily temperature and precipitation readings to the National Weather Service since October 1, 1995. Only 25 John Campanius Holm Awards are awarded each year across the country. Higgins is well-deserving of this prestigious award.

The National Weather Service's Cooperative Observer Program has provided scientists and researchers with vital observational data for more than a century. Today, over 10,000 volunteer observers participate in the nationwide program to provide daily weather observations on temperature, precipitation, snowfall and other hydrological or meteorological data such as evaporation or soil temperature. The U.S. Congress recognized the value of the COOP program and its observers by authorizing improvements to the program through the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-423).

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. In partnership with national and local government, members of the weather enterprise, Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors, and Academia, the National Weather Service is working to build a more Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. NWS can be visited online at weather.gov and on Facebook.