Automated Weather Observation System - AWOS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Automated Weather Observation System - AWOS

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Observed Elements

1.2.1 Humidity
1.2.2 Ice Accretion Occurance
1.2.3 Precipitation - Occurance
1.2.4 Precipitation - Total
1.2.5 Pressure
1.2.6 Sky Condition Using the Qualimetrics Laser Ceilometer Model 8329-A
1.2.7 Sky Condition Using the Vaisala Laser Ceilometer Model CT12K
1.2.8 Temperature
1.2.9 Visibility
1.2.10 Wind

Chapter 2: Telecommunications of AWOS Data

2.1 AWOS Communications - Overview
2.2 Transfer of Sensor Data
2.3 AWOS Communications Controller

2.3.1 Limitations of the Communications Controller

2.4 AWOS Output from the Communications Controller

2.4.1 Fixed Format
2.4.2 Free Format
2.4.3 Sensor Configuration

2.5 Regional Telecommunications

2.5.1 RA's from AES/DND stations
2.5.2 RA's from Flight Service Stations

2.6 NCP Software

2.6.1 CODECON II
2.6.2 MixMaster
2.6.3 BUFR to METAR
2.6.4 Distribution of Messages

Chapter 3: Code Conversion - AWOS

3.1 METAR/TAF Implementation
3.2 Binary Universal Form - Representation of Codes(BUFR)

3.2.1 BUFR Overview

3.3 METAR AND SPECI

3.3.1 Symbolic METAR and SPECI Code
3.3.2 Example of a METAR Report from an AWOS

3.4 Synoptic Code

3.4.1 General
3.4.2 Symbolic SM Code
3.4.3 Synoptic Code - Interpretation of Symbols

Chapter 4: Code Conversion - Non-AWOS Autostation

4.1 General
4.2 Non-AWOS Hourly Reports - Code Conversion
4.3 Symbolic SA Code
4.4 Example of an SA Report from a Non-AWOS

Chapter 5: Data Quality Assurance - AWOS data

5.1 General
5.2 Monitor's Duties
5.3 CODECON II Error Summaries
5.4 Resolving Problems
5.5 Sensor Suppression

Appendix A - AWOS Output

A-1 Fixed Format Decode
A-2 Free Format Decode
A-3 Sensor Configuration Decode
A-4 AWOS Meteorological Data Output
A-5 National Coding Procedures METAR/SPECI Codes
A-6 Detailed Explanation of Synoptic Code

Appendix B - Non-AWOS Output

B-1 MARS I Output
B-2 MARS II Output
B-3 MAPS I Output
B-4 MAPS II Output
B-5 Co-operative Climate Automatic Stations

Appendix C - CODECON II Generated Error Summary Codes

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

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