'Critical data in a timely manner': Topeka weather service office honors veteran observers

As heavy rains drenched Kansas in July 1993, Melba Bruce measured Solomon River levels every two or three hours for 23 straight days at Minneapolis in north-central Kansas, the National Weather Service says.

Bruce showed that type of dedication again in July 2010 when she took hourly observations for two straight days during a time of heavy rain, said Shawn Byrne, observing program leader for the weather service's Topeka office.

He said timely rainfall reports provided "in the middle of the night" by Alan Winkler, of McFarland in Wabaunsee County, spurred the weather service in July 1993 to immediately issue flood warnings before severe flooding could occur on nearby Mill Creek.

Winkler's reports "are credited with providing critical data in a timely manner leading to the safe evacuation of 12 campers before floodwaters arrived," Byrne said.

The weather service last week held a picnic at its Topeka office in which it honored Bruce for having served 40 years and Winkler for having served 50 years collecting data as weather observers.

'I was the only one who applied'

About 100 volunteers record weather observations for the weather service's Topeka office, Byrne said.

Winkler and Bruce are probably that office's two best observers, those attending the April 5 picnic were told by Kris Craven, the Topeka office's meteorologist in charge.

Bruce, 89, recalled for The Capital-Journal how she wrote a lengthy letter to the weather service in 1984 telling why she should be picked to fill the volunteer weather observer's position that had just become vacant at Minneapolis.

Her letter noted that her home stood out in the open, away from trees, and was centrally located in the community.

Bruce recalled feeling excited when she got the position.

"I thought, 'Oh, I was selected!'" she said, then added. "I was the only one who applied."

Bruce has since recorded weather data from her home and taken river level readings from a bridge over the Solomon River at Minneapolis.

Bruce recorded river levels at mid-month and at the end of the month when the river was low and more often when the river was high, including every hour or two when it was at flood stage, she said.

Bruce delivered the Salina Journal for about 30 years and that work took place largely at night, which made it convenient for her to measure river levels at night, she said.

"I'd just contact the city cop and ask him to hold a flashlight while I maneuvered the gauge," she said.

Bruce provides weather information not only to the weather service but also to "the local newspaper, state officials, the USDA Farm Service Agency and numerous media outlets in the area," Byrne said.

Bruce has been widowed twice. She is heavily involved in civic organizations and is always busy helping others in her community, Byrne said.

"She acts as a caregiver to many of the elderly in Minneapolis, and she was always taking someone to a doctor’s appointment, bringing food to those who are unable to travel or just simply visiting and spending time with her neighbors," he said.

'All I can say is, 'Wow!'

Winkler, 79, has collected precipitation-related data at his home for the weather service since Oct. 1, 1973.

“I was taking a look at Alan’s station data and all I can say is, 'Wow!'" said Natalie Umphlett, former regional climatologist for the High Plains Climate Center. "It looks like he’s only had one error in all these years. That is really impressive!”

Winkler has never missed a single day of observations, Umphlett added.

Winkler attributed that in part to help from his wife of 60 years, Effa, whom he said takes the observations on the occasional days when he can't, such as when he underwent knee replacement surgery last fall.

Winkler was chosen in 1973 to replace Clyde Forinash, then 88, who had taken weather service observations at McFarland for more than 45 years.

Winkler said he and Forinash have taken weather service observations a total of more than 95 years at McFarland, where the weather service began taking observations in 1918.

Winkler said he also served eight years as a Wabaunsee County commissioner and about 15 years as treasurer for the city of McFarland, where he spent a short time as mayor.

In addition, Winkler has been a volunteer firefighter, church deacon and associate pastor, Byrne said.

He said Winkler has worked in retirement as curator for the historical museum at McFarland and has helped compile weather information for a book co-authored by his wife titled “McFarland: The first 100 years 1887-1987."

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka weather service office honors longtime weather observers