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Learn about the components of Automatic Weather Observing Station (AWOS) systems and the Nigerian AWOS Experiment. Discover the challenges, advantages, and disadvantages of using different types of AWOS systems. Explore how varied technologies impact maintenance and calibration.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Different Types of Automatic Weather Observing Station (AWOS) Systems. By Zakariyau D. Abdulrasheed Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) National Weather Forecasting & Climate Prediction Centre, Abuja. FCT. Nigeria yaudarazo@yahoo.com
Outline: • Introduction • Components of AWOS • The Nigerian AWOS Experiment • Pictures of some AWOS • Challenges • Advantages • Disadvantages • Conclusion
Introduction: • Before 2004, all surface weather observing stations (both synoptic and airport) in Nigeria were depending on convectional measuring instruments, but in the recent past, especially since 2010, many Automatic Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) were installed nationwide for easy observation and/or collection of weather data. • It wasn’t easy to collect weather data from touch-down zone of the runways, especially those with sensors located in remote areas. So it became very necessary for Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to depend on Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), from the year 2005 the number of AWOS increased to 34 stations, presently with additional 47 in Nigeria. During this period the AWOS maintenance team (Engineers) in NiMet treated various types of AWOS and faced many problems due to the variety of types and got a good experience in this field, which can be referred to as “The Nigerian AWOS Experiment.”
Components of Surface AWOS: Basically, any surface AWOS consists of the following components: • Group of weather sensors (Sensors) • Data collection platform (DCP) • Communication Interfaces • Application software or Central data Processing Unit • Display units
The Nigerian AWOS Experiment: • We began in 2004 with 2 DAVIS Type AWOS stations deployed in few stations and later in 2007 installed another type called MIDAS 4 for a good number of stations, especially the airports. We formed our maintenance team in this phase. There were only one type of spare-parts for each item of automatic stations. These spare-parts were convenient for any station. • Later on, other stations installed another type namely: “AllWeatherInc”, “LSI”, “Coastal Environmental System Incorporated”, “Davis Vintage Pro 2”, “Met Scientific AWOS”, “Met tracker” and “Coastal integrated AWOS”. Others ones donated to NiMet (installed) but meant to determine its accuracy & quality assessment are namely: “Davis (Vintage VUE)”, “Oregon scientific” and “Ambient Weather (radio controlled). • Presently, we have NiMet/TAHMO AWOS installed in Universities across the country
The Nigerian AWOS Experiment cont’d. • At this moment, we have 8 different types of automated observing system we recognized, with 8 different techniques of different technologies. Challenges: • Some problems began to appear such as some spares of certain type ran out while another type redundant, for instance when MIDAS 4 stopped their activities and some stations needed replacement, we are forced to stop this type for another ones.
The Nigerian AWOS Experiment cont’d. Challenges Cont’d: • The AWOS data logger should be configured to receive input from different types of sensors via data base of sensors in it, by this way we could use different types of sensors for different systems, but it wasn’t so. • The major challenge was that we couldn’t interchange their spare-parts for each other, and that led to buying each time we could not solve the problem developed. Sensors were not compatible, displaying unit were also different. • Also noted is the problem of software application. It appeared that the operators (observers) confronted with different application software so we needed to train them for each type of application. It wasted a lot of times and efforts.
The Nigerian AWOS Experiment cont’d. Challenges Cont’d: • Other challenges encountered were the blockage of the raingauge funnel by dust, nest of birds and other flying material. Sometimes, insect like bees covered it with its excretion. Sensor could be covered with dust and so on, which could affect the readings. • Source of power is also a big issue, especially in Africa. Solar power seems to be the best option. As earlier said, spare-parts is a bid challenge. • Calibration of each sensor to give timely, reliable & accurate readings wasn’t an easy job. • Many of the AWOS are too fragile for a severe weather system.
Advantages of using different types of AWOS systems • • 1-Get the cheapest price • • 2-Regognize the different Technologies. • • 3- Comparing between different systems/software • • 4- Spare parts redundant for maintenance and calibration
Disadvantages of using different types of AWOS systems • • 1- Observers need to deal with different applications • • 2- Maintenance Team need to be aware of different systems • • 3- Problems concerning about spare parts and calibration. • • 4- Non uniformity in units of measurements.
Conclusion: • It seems that to deal with one type of AWOS System would solve many problems. But in fact there are some disadvantages of using one type of AWOS system, also vice versa for using different types of AWOS. • The most important thing is to ensure you get accurate, reliable and error-free data from whichever brand or make of the AWOS. It must be WMO approved, widely acceptable and above all affordable. • Developed nations should also support the less privilege nations in terms of donation and support.
