COMDTINST 3140.3D
13 JAN 1988
5.
DISCUSSION.
a.
The National Weather Service has statutory responsibility for providing weather information
to the public. The Coast Guard cooperates with the NWS in discharging this responsibility by
collecting and providing raw weather and sea data to NWS, and by disseminating NWS's
weather forecasts through radio broadcasts and visual warning displays.
b.
Frequently, Coast Guard coastal stations and units are the only source of weather observations
in certain coastal regions of the U.S. These observations become critical in developing
accurate marine weather forecasts. Careful weather observations and accurate and timely
relay of the data are essential components of the weather forecasting process.
c.
The loss of weather information from Coast Guard Light Stations due to automation has
created gaps in the coverage provided by the national marine weather reporting network.
Automated meteorological equipment is being added to certain Coast Guard Light Stations
by the NWS to fill this void.
d.
The importance of meteorological observation reports to weather forecasting should not be
underestimated. These reports have a significant role as the data base for operating the
weather forecasting models as well as for determining regional variations in meteorological
conditions over time.
6.
WEATHER OBSERVATION PROGRAM.
a.
All Coast Guard operational shore units, unless specifically exempted by the cognizant district
commander, shall record weather observations in accordance with this instruction. Seasonal
stations shall make observations only during operational periods. (Any units which secure
from watchstanding at night and are required to take observations, shall take observations
only at those times an active watch is maintained.)
b.
All weather observations shall normally be recorded on NOAA Form 72-5a, MARINE
COASTAL WEATHER LOG-COASTAL STATION. (Instructions for the proper
preparation of Form 72-5a are contained with each pad.)
c.
The NWS may request certain units, subject to approval by the district commander, to make
detailed aeronautical observations in support of special forecast and warning service programs
(primarily in the Seventeenth Coast Guard District). Stations making aeronautical
observations will use NWS Form MF 1-10C, SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION.
d.
NWS-OG arrangements for designating additional reporting stations, or for making more
complete and detailed observations, will be left to the discretion of district commanders.
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