Mr. Lou Thourot has been taking weather observations for the National Weather Service at the Wauseon Water Treatment Plant since 1993. Daily observations include maximum temperature, minimum temperature, snowfall, snow depth, rainfall and snowfall water equivalent. The data collected is now able to be ingested daily into each new weather model run along with helping to paint an aerial picture of how much rainfall/snowfall has fallen in the area. The data is also used to build a climatic database of the United States. For the month of August 1998, he recorded 11.28 inches of rain. He also recorded 25.7 inches of snowfall in February 2011. Highest yearly precipitation total Mr. Thourot has recorded was 49.26 inches for the year 2011. The lowest was 24.75 inches for the year 2012. Highest seasonal snowfall total was 43.0 inches for the season 2002-2003. Highest temperature he recorded was in July 2012 at 105 degrees F and in June 2012 104 degrees F was recorded. Lowest temperature that he recorded was -21 degrees F back in January 1994. The National Weather Service is very grateful to Mr. Thourot for his continued dedication in taking weather observations. The National Weather Service Cooperative Program spans all 50 states…collecting weather observations from numerous volunteer weather observers for the climate database, weather forecasts, and for the protection of life and property. Pictured is Mr. Thourot (right) accepting his 20 year length of service award from Brentley Lothamer (left) of the National Weather Service Northern Indiana office. Photo taken by Mike Rehbein, Service Hydrologist of the National Weather Service Northern Indiana office.
