AWOS in Iowa, May 21, 2009

Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) collect and disseminate weather data to various sources for the primary purpose of enhancing the safety of aircraft operations in Iowa’s air transportation system. A network of 41 AWOS systems is maintained by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), and strategically located at airports around Iowa to provide both geographic and airport-specific coverage. AWOS enhances aviation safety by providing critical airport weather information to pilots to be used for flight planning and in-flight decision making. The system provides real-time weather observations, including wind, visibility, current weather, sky conditions, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, and remarks, such as density altitude and local airport conditions.