Have you ever wondered where official weather observations are taken from?
The absence of observations at airports can delay flight operations.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - When you hear us say the official high today, we are using the official observation from the Nashville airport. Non-stop reports from Automated Surface Observing Systems are coming in 24/7.
The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) is a Tri-Agency Program consisting of the National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). ASOS serves as the nation’s primary surface weather observing network, according to NOAA.
There are more than 900 ASOS sites in the U.S. Airports are often where the ASOS stations are sited because their detailed weather reports are vital to air safety.
These sites have several sensors that provide vital information on the following, according to NOAA:
-Sky conditions: cloud height and amount up to 12,000 ft.
-Visibility and obstructions to vision
-Current weather conditions
-Air pressure
-Air temperature and dew point temperature
-Wind direction and speed
-Precipitation accumulation and type
ASOS stations work every minute of every day to make sure they are providing critical aviation weather parameters that are measured where they are needed most.
The absence of ASOS observations can delay flights, prevent landings and take-offs, and can interrupt airline schedules.
The map above shows where each of the ASOS sites is and which agency is in charge of their operation. Most ASOS sites are airports. Airports offer open areas with few obstructions, allowing for uninterrupted observations.
The data collected from ASOS stations is used in climatological records for a given area. Each ASOS station has the same set of sensors and instruments as well as consistent data from location to location.
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