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ASOS: Automated Surface Observing System in the U.S.

Explore the ASOS, the backbone observing system in the U.S. for atmospheric sciences. Learn about its high-quality instrumentation, METAR format reports, and its role in observing weather conditions at airports.

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ASOS: Automated Surface Observing System in the U.S.

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  1. Atmospheric Sciences 370 Observing SystemsWinter 2014

  2. ASOS: Automated Surface Observing System: Backbone Observing System in the U.S.

  3. ASOS • Located at primary and secondary airports • Sponsored by the FAA and NWS • High quality instrumentation that is well maintained and calibrated. • Reported in METAR format (more later)

  4. Hydrothermograph

  5. Precipitation Gauges

  6. Laser Weather Identifier

  7. Acoustic Anemometer

  8. Still used in many other systems Anemometer Wind Vane

  9. Laser Ceilometer

  10. The ASOS Freezing Rain Sensor uses an ultrasonically vibrating probe to detect the presence of icing conditions. The vibrating frequency of the probe decreases with the accumulation of ice.

  11. Lightning Sensor Visibility Sensor

  12. Full ASOS system in Arizona

  13. METAR Format • ASOS data (and airport observations worldwide) are transmitted in METAR format. • Name came from the French words, MÉTéorologique ("Weather") Aviation Régulière ("Routine"). • Example: KSEA 042353Z 11008KT 10SM FEW050 SCT070 OVC090 09/03 A2879 RMK AO2 SLP756 60001 T00940033 10117 20083 58013 • Will learn more about it in Lab

  14. Observing Heights (ASOS and most official obs) • Temperature and dew point (2-m) • Wind speed and direction (10-m)

  15. Bureau of Land Management • RAWS • Agrimet • PAWS • Department of Ecology • Puget Sound Clean Air • BC Hydro • BC Olympics • Weather Underground • Many more! Other Surface Networks

  16. Pacific Northwest Surface Observations 3000-4000 observations per hour over WA and OR

  17. Oklahoma Mesonet

  18. Networks of Networks UW: We collect data from about 70 networks in real time over NW Mesowest: Collects about 100 networks over the western third of U.S. MADIS: national collection of mesonets

  19. Marine Reports

  20. Ocean and Lake Weather Buoys Anchored

  21. Drifting Buoys Pressure Wind

  22. Coastal Marine (CMAN) Reports from the Coast Guard

  23. Northwest Buoy and CMAN Locations

  24. Ship Reports: Marine VOS Program Volunteers Observers--generally 6-hourly reports Highly variable quality and frequency

  25. Satellite Microwave Scatterometer Winds

  26. QuickScat Satellite Bounces microwaves off the ocean surface Capillary waves dependent on wind speed and directon

  27. Satellite scatterometers

  28. Satellite Altimetry

  29. Upper Air Data

  30. Radiosonde

  31. Radar Wind Profiler and RASS (Radio Acoustic Sounding System)

  32. Seattle Profiler/RASS

  33. ACARS: Aircraft Observations Generally on wide-body aircraft Aircraft Communications Addressing and ReportingSystem

  34. Now getting TAMDAR data from AIRDAT/Panasonic: Commuter and Short Haul Aircraft

  35. Satellite Data Geostationary and Polar Orbiting Satellites

  36. NOAA Polar Orbiter Weather Satellite

  37. Cloud and Water Vapor Track Winds Based on Geostationary Weather Satellites

  38. GOES sounder unit

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