surface weather observation surface weather observations fundamental data safety reasons forecast weather issue warnings worldwide taken manually weather observer computer use automated weather stations hybrid scheme weather observers augment automated weather station defines international standard atmosphere model standard variation pressure temperature density altitude earth atmosphere reduce station pressure sea level pressure airport observations transmitted worldwide use observing code personal weather stations taking automated observations transmit data united_states weather observations website wow internationally site thirty year average location weather observations traditionally determine station climate airports surface weather observations traditionally taken airports safety concerns landings defines international standard atmosphere known standard atmosphere model standard variation pressure temperature density elevation altitude earth atmosphere useful instruments designing aircraft reduce station pressure sea level pressure weather maps united_states taking weather observations larger airports safety reasons help facilitate purchase automated airport weather station allows federal dollars installation certified weather stations airports airport observations transmitted worldwide observing code reports typically come airports permanent weather observation stations reports generated hour conditions change significantly updated special reports called species surface weather observations include following elements location consists characters observations representing region world station lies example letter areas pacific ocean europe second character represent country state location lies hawaii letters great_britain letters station canada united_states exception letters representing regions respectively final letters normally represent location airport visibility measured meters sites worldwide united_states statute miles reported runway visibility measured meters locations worldwide feet united_states temperature measure energy sample matter temperature unique physical property determines direction heat flow objects placed thermal contact heat flow occurs objects temperature heat flows object colder object temperature measured exposed air sheltered direct solar exposure world degree scale temperature measuring purposes united_states major country degree temperature scale lay people industry popular government despite reports united_states report temperature degrees point temperature given parcel air cooled constant atmospheric pressure water water condensed water called point point point temperature falls freezing called frost point water longer creates instead creates frost deposition point associated relative humidity high relative humidity indicates point closer current air temperature relative humidity point equal current temperature given constant point increase temperature lead decrease relative humidity given barometric pressure independent temperature point determines specific humidity air point important general aviation pilots likelihood fog air temperature formula estimate height convective clouds wind determined wind located standard metres ground level average wind speed measured minute average united_states minute average wind direction measured degrees north representing degrees values increasing clockwise north wind gusts reported variation wind speed knots peaks sampling period sea level pressure pressure sea level measured given elevation land station pressure reduced sea level assuming layer station temperature pressure normally given weather reports radio television newspapers internet home set match local weather reports measure pressure reduced sea level actual local atmospheric pressure reduction sea level means normal range fluctuations pressure pressures considered high pressure low pressure depend geographical location makes weather map meaningful useful tools setting term quantity aviation regional local air pressure mean sea level called setting pressure height ground given airfield present weather present restrictions visibility presence thunder reported observations indicate aviation possible threats landings airports types included surface weather observations include precipitation weather phenomena developed dust sand activity volcanic ash dust storms intensity precipitation primarily measured meteorological concerns concern aviation heavy precipitation limit visibility intensity freezing rain determine hazardous pilots fly nearby certain locations flight hazard ice wings aircraft detrimental flight precipitation past hours particular interest forecast amounts precipitation determining station snowfall past hours taken meteorological concerns reported hourly remarks provide air field technicians information frequently snow snow depth measured meteorological concerns day periods snowfall measured hours determine recent snowfall example surface weather observation personal weather stations maintained citizens government officials use code software allows information transmitted sites globally united_states appropriate meteorological organizations real time conditions weather forecast models use weather maps data collected land locations conveyed worldwide phone lines wireless technology nations meteorological organizations data plotted weather map station model station model symbolic illustration showing weather occurring given reporting station created station model plot number weather elements small space weather maps maps filled dense station model plots difficult read allow pilots important weather patterns weather maps display information quickly showing analysis meteorological quantities levels atmosphere case surface layer maps containing station models aid drawing readily identifies temperature help location weather fronts dimensional based wind speeds areas convergence divergence wind field helpful determining location features wind pattern popular type surface weather map surface weather analysis plots depict areas high pressure low pressure ship reports century reports world oceans received real time safety reasons help general weather reports coded code relayed radio satellite weather organizations worldwide reports automated maintained country moored location larger moored near shore smaller drifting farther sea importance reports surface ocean voluntary observing ship program known set train crews weather observations sea weather sensors aboard ships arrive port scale generally determine wind speed manual observers sea ships issues determining wind speeds higher wind speeds instruments increasing high seas use establishing climate location climate commonly defined weather averaged long period time standard averaging period years individual location periods climate includes statistics average day day year year variations definition climate narrow sense usually defined average weather statistical description terms mean relevant quantities period time ranging months thousands millions years classical period years defined quantities surface temperature precipitation wind climate wider sense state including statistical description climate system main difference climate everyday weather best summarized popular phrase climate expect weather historic time spans number static determine climate including latitude altitude proportion land water proximity oceans mountains degree vegetation coverage affects solar heat absorption water retention rainfall regional level
Surface weather observation