ASOS/AWOS update frequency

[Dan Robinson]

As of 9:43PM EST, the ADDS metar maps are 30 minutes old, and the obs on the NWS sites are nearly an hour old. Most of the time they seem to be updated every 5 to 10 minutes, but there are many periods where updates don't come in for more than an hour. On WxWorx it's the same story - some obs will update every 5-10 minutes, then you won't see another one for an hour. At first I thought they might only be updating on 5-10 minute intervals when the conditions change dramatically, but this isn't the case now with a big squall line and cold front crossing the Midwest.

Is there another source for up-to-the-minute obs, or are the ASOS/AWOS sites themselves just updating at random intervals?

 

[rdale]

Most AWOS sites update at :55 :15 :35, ASOS updates at :55 and as needed depending on the weather.

I'm not seeing any slowdown in the NOAAPORT feed or in AllisonHouse's pipe to GR2AE, so it must be a function of the website you're using.

 

[MClarkson]

You can call asos numbers at the airports and they usually update every minute based on whatever averaging algorithm is used for that particular value... some just repeat the latest metar though. Also some contain lots of irrelevent(for weather guys) airport info.

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/weather/asos/