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Technology No. 2
ASOS
Automated Surface Observing System
A little background
Back in the 1980s, the National Weather Service
(NWS), in cooperation with the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Department of Defense,
decided to make some major changes in the way
surface weather observations would be made in
S a f e P i l o t s . S a f e S k i e s .
A change in the observations
It’s only human to be suspicious of new technology, Automated systems provide consistency in
especially if it replaces a familiar and trusted observations. Under identical conditions, all
service. ASOS combines the new and the familiar. ASOSs will report the same weather so pilots can
Human observations are made from horizon to expect to see the same information from the same
horizon. ASOS is designed to represent conditions data at any location. ASOS is superior to human
in a 5-mile radius of the installation. The major observation in many ways, but it can be quite
change in observations has to do with computer different from what we have learned to expect. In
processing of all ASOS data and the automation of order to fly safely, pilots need to learn as much as
sky condition, visibility, and present weather— they can about weather, and that includes an
observations that were made by humans in the understanding of automated weather systems.
past. Human observers evaluate these elements
based partly on their perception. Everyone sees In the following pages, we’ll provide a brief
differently and so it’s not unusual for reports of explanation of ASOS, its capabilities, and
identical conditions to vary significantly from limitations. At the end of this process, you’ll know
observer to observer. Designing automated how to include ASOS observations in your vital
equipment to exactly match human observations pilot-in-command responsibility of assessing
is impossible, but after years of development, ASOS aviation weather.
correlates quite closely with human observations
most of the time.
ASOS Features
H
A. FAA Ground-to- B
Air Radio NWS
(National Weather
Service)
G
B. Wind Tower (Tilting)
F
Maintenance
C. Rain Sensor E
Local
D. Temp./Dewpoint
Sensor
E. Precipitation
D
Identification Sensor Conduit
F. Ceilometer C
way
Walk
G. Freezing Rain Sensor el
av No
Gr rth
H. Visibility Sensor
ASOS also looks for gusts. ASOS continually LBCs are very accurate, but the biggest
looks for wind values that exceed the current drawback is their narrow beams. If a single
average speed by 5 knots and holds those cloud “parks” over the LBC for long enough, a
values for 10 minutes (the time required to false cloud coverage report could be
evaluate wind gusts). If, at the end of the 10- generated. Moreover, LBCs cannot detect the
minute period, the value exceeds the current presence of any nearby hazardous cloud
average wind by 3 knots, a gust is reported. conditions such as cumulonimbus, funnel
clouds, rotor clouds, or virga. Similarly, they
All wind sensors can freeze in certain snow/icing cannot describe the nature of the clouds being
conditions. Frozen sensors will report zero wind sensed. To an LBC, a cloud base is a cloud
speed and possibly a false wind direc- base, whether it’s caused by fair-weather
tion. An ultrasonic wind sensor is cur- cumulus or a Level 6 thunderstorm.
rently available and can be added to the
existing ASOS wind tower with minor Under certain conditions, LBCs may report a
modification. This sensor has heated lower than actual cloud height or ceiling. This
probes to prevent freeze-ups and contains is most likely to occur when obscurations or
no moving parts. It detects precise wind precipitation is present. When the beam
speed and direction and is the same bounces back from the falling precipitation,
The scatter meter measures a parcel of air about Experienced weather observers who have spent
.75 cubic feet in volume, and it senses the months and years augmenting ASOS observations
diffusion of the light striking the particulates in say disagreement is most likely when moisture-
that parcel. It cannot make judgments about laden fronts move quickly by an airport. They say
prevailing, sector, tower, or flight visibility, and it ASOS can report confusing up-and-down cloud
can’t make RVR measurements. heights as layers of clouds at different altitudes
pass overhead and the ceilometer reads the height
At this writing, ASOS will not report blowing dust, of each passing cloud.
blowing sand, tornadoes, funnel clouds, hail, ice
crystals, drizzle, freezing drizzle, thunderstorms, One reason for this disagreement may simply be
smoke, amount of snowfall, snow depth, hourly ASOS’s ability to make many more observations
snow increase, or clouds above 12,000 feet. than human observers. Observers can make no
Many of these capabilities may be added over the more than one observation each 10 minutes or a
next several years as the system matures. maximum of six observations in one hour. In that
hour, ASOS will make up to 12 observations.
When the weather is changing, ASOS will report
What ASOS does measure those changes more frequently than a human
observer would, and that can be confusing for
ASOS does directly measure wind speed and pilots who are used to hearing only one or two
direction, barometric pressure, temperature, and observations per hour. The trick is for pilots to
Contact ATC radar facilities for thunderstorm Ask ATC if missed approaches are being
information. Although ATC radar is intended for performed. If the ASOS reports above minimums
detecting aircraft, controllers, especially in but pilots are missing approaches, it’s a fair bet
approach control facilities, can see some rain. that ceilings and visibilities are lower than the
They are also talking to pilots of radar-equipped ASOS readings. Conversely, if ASOS reports below
airplanes who may be deviating around minimums but pilots are landing without difficulty,
convective weather. Air traffic controllers can, the observation may be conservative.
work load permitting, be very helpful in weather-
avoidance tactics. They are understandably Look for SPECI observations. A SPECI
reluctant to assist with weather penetration. That observation is an unscheduled METAR, issued
is best left for fully equipped airplanes flown by when weather worsens or improves beyond
proficient instrument pilots. various thresholds in specified periods of time.
ASOS tends to transmit more SPECI observations
Tune in early and often. Punch in the ASOS than human observers and often leads human
frequency as far from the airport as the signal’s observers in reporting critical conditions—
strength permits, then listen for several minutes. especially at night.
This is especially important when MVFR or IFR
conditions are expected or forecast. Update the Finally, learn METARs and TAFs if you haven’t
ASOS report at least twice en route and make already. ASOS broadcasts are made in the METAR
notes on the weather. This way, you can compare format, with wind direction first, followed by
observations and develop valuable trend visibility, present weather type, sky condition,
information. temperature/dew point, and altimeter.
Tune other ASOS frequencies in the area. Report anomalies. Consistent unrepresentative
Because ASOS is available in many places where ASOS reports can indicate siting problems and
there was previously no weather information, should be reported to flight service or ATC. Self-
there will usually be one or two in the neighbor- testing equipment is supposed to report hardware
hood. Comparing their observations with those problems automatically, but it doesn’t hurt to
of the ASOS at your destination will give you a report these, as well. The ASOS Operations and
more complete weather picture. You’ll also be Monitoring Center (AOMC), which monitors
able to spot any inconsistencies in the observa- outages and component failures, can be reached
tions that may indicate a sensor problem. at 800/242-8194, 24 hours a day.
Replace dew cell sensor Provides direct measurement of Replaces sensor that is
relative humidity that can be responsible for a large percentage
converted to dew point reports. of maintenance calls.
Ultrasonic wind sensor Provides ice-free wind speed/ Eliminates freeze-ups and
direction sensor with no moving preventive maintenance calls.
parts.
TYPE OF REPORT: WEATHER PHENOMENA: ASOS reports: REMARKS: Additional information may be added to the weather
METAR: Hourly (scheduled) report. Rain (RA): liquid precipitation that does not freeze observation. Automated remarks are generated by the system.
SPECI: Special (unscheduled) report. Snow (SN): frozen precipitation other than hail Augmented remarks are added by a human observer.
STATION IDENTIFIER: Precipitation of unknown type (UP) Remarks may include (but are not limited to): TORNADO,
ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) location Precipitation intensity indicated by a prefix: FUNNEL CLOUD, WATERSPOUT: (Tornadic Activity); AO1:
identifier (using four alphabetic characters). light (-), moderate (no sign), heavy (+) (Automated station without precipitation sensor); AO2: (Auto
DATE AND TIME OF REPORT: Fog (FG) Mist (BR) Haze (HZ) mated station with precipitation sensor); PK WND: (Peak
All dates and times in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) Freezing Rain (FZRA) Squall (SQ) Wind); WSHFT: (Wind Shift); FROPA: (Frontal Passage); TWR
using a 24-hour clock; two-digit date and four-digit time; letter Freezing fog (FRFG): temperature below 0∞C VIS: (Tower visibility); SFC VIS: (Surface visibility); VIS [min V
Z appended to indicate UTC. When augmented by observer ASOS may report: max]: (Variable visibility); VIS [location]: (Visibility at a second
REPORT MODIFIER: Funnel Cloud/Tornado/Waterspout (FC) Thunderstorm location); LTG [type] [location]: (Lightning); TSB [minutes] E
AUTO: Fully automated report. No human intervention. (TS) VA (volcanic ash) [minutes]: (time past the hour Thunderstorm Began, Ended);
COR: Correction to a previously disseminated report. Hail (GR) Small hail (GS): hail <1/4 inch) RAB [minutes] E [minutes]: (time past the hour Rain Began,
WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED: Note: Additional weather phenomena may be added Ended); VIRGA: (Precipitation not reaching the ground); CIG
Wind direction in tens of degrees from true north (three digits); using plain language or abbreviations. [min V max]: (Variable ceiling); CIG [location]: (Ceiling height
Speed in whole knots (two digits); Gusts (G) followed by SKY CONDITION: at second location); PRESRR: (pressure rising rapidly); PRESFR:
maximum observed speed; followed by KT to indicate knots; ASOS will not report clouds above 12,000 feet AGL (pressure falling rapidly: SLP: (Sea-level pressure).
00000KT for calm. Variable wind reported when direction unless augmented (added) by a weather observer. SYSTEM STATUS: Sensors not operating (NO) are indicated:
varies by 60 degrees or more when the average wind speed is Cloud amount (in eighths of coverage) and height: TSNO: Thunderstorm Information; RVRNO: Runway Visual
greater than 6 knots. Variable winds less than or equal to 6 CLR no clouds detected below 12,000 feet) Range; PWINO: Present Weather Identifier; SLPNO: Sea Level
knots are shown without degrees: VRB05KT. FEW few: <1/8 - 2/8 sky coverage Pressure; PNO: Precipitation Amount; FZRANO: Freezing Rain
Example: 21016G24KT 180V240 = Winds from 210 SCT scattered: 3/8 - 4/8 sky coverage ASOS voice messages contain the basic weather observation and
degrees at 16 knots with gusts to 24 knots. Wind BKN broken: 5/8 - 7/8 sky coverage selected remarks such as Density Altitude and NOTAMs.
direction varies from 180 to 240 degrees. OVC overcast: 8/8 sky coverage DECODED OBSERVATION:
Note: Wind direction is reported from magnetic north in followed by 3-digit height in hundreds of feet. Indefinite sky Aviation Routine Weather Report for Hometown Municipal
Copyright © 1999, AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safe Pilots. Safe Skies.
Safe Pilots. Safe Skies.
IFR Pilots ance tips for safer flying in and around nontowered airports.
Item #SA08, $1.00
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SA09-7/99