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Atmospheric Sciences 370 Observing Systems January 2012

Atmospheric Sciences 370 Observing Systems January 2012. ASOS: Automated Surface Observing System: Backbone Observing System in the U.S. ASOS. Located at primary and secondary airports Sponsored by the FAA and NWS High quality instrumentation that is well maintained and calibrated.

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Atmospheric Sciences 370 Observing Systems January 2012

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  1. Atmospheric Sciences 370 Observing SystemsJanuary 2012

  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 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. NWNet: Regional Real-Time Collection of Over 70 Networks Over the Pacific Northwest

  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. Upper Air Data

  28. Radiosonde

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

  30. Seattle Profiler/RASS

  31. Profiler Locations

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

  33. New Satellite Observing Capabilities

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

  35. Satellite Temperature and Humidity Soundings

  36. GOES sounder unit

  37. GPS Sounding • A constellation of GPS satellites orbit the earth. • A collection of other satellites can receive the GPS signal • By measuring the delay in time as the GPS signal is bent by the earth’s atmosphere, one can acquire density information that can be used to create temperature and humidity soundings. • Can do this with fixed receivers on earth or with receivers on satellites--the COSMIC project.

  38. Typical Observation Errors at the Surface (Important when doing analyses!) • Sea Level Pressure • Low-Elevation land stations +-.5 mb • Ships +- 1-5 mb • Temperature: +-1C • Wind Speed: +-2-5 knots, very light winds often a problem—especially for classical anomemters. • Relative Humidity: +-10%

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