The Last Weather Observer PDF Download

One of the primary objectives of this program was to design a developmental model ALWOS for the lowest possible cost. Reliability and maintenance costs over the life of the system were considered in addition to the initial purchase and installation costs. To this end, field proven, off the shelf components were used wherever possible throughout the system. Another primary objective was modularity of design. The hardware and software were constructed to allow flexibility in interfacing a variety of sensors or adding additional sensors to measure new parameters. The ALWOS as configured at Dulles Airport is a low-cost and flexible system which can provide an automatic weather observation from the data acquisition, processing and display point of view, with the potential for good long-term system reliability. After a period of familiarization with the equipment and dealing with an assortment of system and sensor problems, the functioning of the system became relatively trouble-free. Evaluation of the ALWOS supports the generally accepted concept that automated, low-cost weather observation systems can indeed perform such a function given suitable sensing devices. (Author).