“Doppler Radar”

by Caleb, KE0FOE

As we continue with our series covering JetStream, The National Weather Service’s new Online School for Weather, the topic this time is: Remote Sensing.

Many current weather observations are gathered using devices known as Automated Surface Observing Systems (or ASOS). ASOS is a collaboration of the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense. ASOS observations include: sky conditions along with basic current weather information such as rain, snow and ice, air and dew point temperature, wind direction and speed, and many other conditions.

Did you know that you can probably pick up an ASOS report on the very VHF/UHF transceiver you use each day? ASOS stations provide computer-generated voice updates directly onto designated aircraft radio frequencies. For example, in Springfield, Missouri, that frequency is: 135.125 MHz. To find a listing of ASOS frequencies in your area, visit this link: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/

Altogether, there are over 900 ASOS stations at airports throughout the United States. These Automated Surface Observing Systems operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There are a lot of interesting facts about Remote Sensing that you and your family can learn about on the National Weather Service’s new Online School for Weather called JetStream. Visit their website: weather.gov/jetstream