Wind measurement and archival under the automated surface observing system (ASOS): user concerns and opportunity for improvement

Abstract

Limitations of ASOS include: 1) hourly observation average periods that do not conform to international recommendations for wind reporting made by the World Meteorological Organization, 2) no regular archival of high-resolution data - potentially valuable research data are destroyed if not identified within a 12-h period, and 3) no emergency power for operation in severe weather conditions. An alternative sampling and archiving strategy is recommended that benefits a wider cross section of users, without detracting from aviation and forecast service requirements, at a cost of less than 1% of the original ASOS portion of the weather service modernization budget. -from Author