We all know that the weather in Montana can be severe, and while computers and charts help track that severe weather, forecasters need help from people on the ground as well.

The National Weather Service in Great Falls honored volunteers of the Cooperative Observer Program on Tuesday. There are over 130 weather watchers who record and report data on a daily basis, including factors such as temperatures and rain fall. 

"These people go out in all kinds of conditions, they go out in below zero, above one hundred, hail storms, rain, wind, you name it," NWS Great Falls meteorologist Michael Mercer said. "These people are very dedicated and we need this information for our forecasting and our studies that we do."

The volunteers were honored for categorical and length or service awards, and Pat and Joe Von Stein received the Family Heritage Award for 100 years of service.

To learn more about the Cooperative Observer Program, click here to visit the NWS site.

WEB EXTRA: here is the complete list of people honored:

100-Year Institution Award: PPL Montana, Norris Madison; town of Ennis
40-Year Award: Hugh Hastings of Cascade County
35-Year Award: Arnold Sorenson of Kremlin; Joseph Von Stein of Cascade County; William Klock of Cascade County
30-Year Award: Joe Vavrovsky at Moccasin Experiment Station in Moccasin; Daivd Cameron of Cascade County
25-Year Award: Willard and Nancy Tonne of Stanford; Carol Slugget of Valentine; Ed Bandel of Carter; Ward Scribner of Geraldine
20-Year Award: Colleen Ingersoll of Rogers Pass
15-Year Award: Mary Bartkoske of Swift Dam; Bob Dishman of Glen; Vince Kolar of Raynesford
10-Year Award: Glenda & Pete McKeone of Conrad; Bette Fries of White Sulphur Springs; Regina Torgerson of Ethridge