Thank you Kevin. I recognized the asos/awos difference right away from the
obs. I'm curious about the "why". Is the asos going to go away? If not,
what is the requirement for having 2 stations at the same airport?
*Steve Adams | AWIS Weather Services*
888.798.9955 | sadams@xxxxxxxx | www.awis.com
On Fri, Sep 4, 2026 at 12:42 PM Tyle, Kevin R <ktyle@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Here’s what Gemini has to say about this:
>
>
>
> *The observations are indeed distinct because KK51 and KP28 actually
> represent two completely separate, co-located weather stations operating at
> the Medicine Lodge Airport. [1 <https://weathercams.faa.gov/stations>]*
>
> *Even though they share the same airfield, they are managed under
> different programs, utilize different hardware, and broadcast
> independently. [1 <https://weathercams.faa.gov/stations>]*
>
> *Here is exactly why those METAR strings look so different:*
>
> *1. Federal ASOS vs. Non-Federal AWOS*
>
> - *KP28 is a Federal ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System)**. It
> is managed federally and generates standard hourly routine observations
> (typically at 56 minutes past the hour, as seen in your 040956Z, 041056Z,
> etc. stamps). [1 <https://weathercams.faa.gov/stations>]*
> - *KK51 is a Non-Federal AWOS-3P (Automated Weather Observing System)**.
> It is a state- or locally-owned station that broadcasts updates much more
> frequently—roughly every 20 minutes (stamped at :15, :35, and :55 past the
> hour). [1 <https://weathercams.faa.gov/stations>]*
>
> *2. Different Sensor Capabilities (AO1 vs. AO2)*
>
> *If you look closely at the remarks (RMK) at the end of each log, you will
> find the smoking gun for why the data varies:*
>
> - *KP28 reports AO1**: This means the federal station does not have a
> precipitation discriminator sensor. It cannot automatically tell the
> difference between rain and snow. It also includes extra federal data
> fields like Sea Level Pressure (SLP102) and hourly precise temperature
> decimals (T02500211).*
> - *KK51 reports AO2**: The local AWOS system does feature a
> precipitation discriminator sensor. Because the hardware setups are
> different and sit at slightly different physical spots on the field, their
> calibrated sensors will register tiny micro-climate differences in wind
> gusts, dew point calculations, and altimeter settings (A2991 vs A2990).*
>
>
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________
> Kevin Tyle, M.S.; Manager of Departmental Computing
>
> NSF ACCESS Campus Champion
> Dept. of Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
>
> UAlbany ETEC Bldg - Harriman Campus
>
> 1220 Washington Ave, Room 419
>
> Albany, NY 12226
>
> ktyle@xxxxxxxxxx | 518-442-4578 <(518)%20442-4578> | @nywxguy |
> he/him/his
> _________________________________________________
>
>
>
> *From:* data-curation <data-curation-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> *On Behalf
> Of *Stephen Adams
> *Sent:* Friday, September 4, 2026 1:34 PM
> *To:* Boris A. Konon <trwplusa@xxxxxxxxx>
> *Cc:* data-curation <data-curation@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> *Subject:* Re: [data-curation] New Wx Reporting Sites
>
>
>
> Boris,
>
> A question on KK51 Medicine Lodge. I'm showing an ICAO for that airport as
> KP28. Still getting metars for KP28. Also getting metars for KK51, but
> they're different than KP28. Can you explain?
>
>
>
>
> *Steve Adams | AWIS Weather Services*
>
> 888.798.9955 <(888)%20798-9955> | sadams@xxxxxxxx | www.awis.com
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 4, 2026 at 7:06 AM Boris A. Konon <trwplusa@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> *METAR:*
> K4MD - Baltimore/Pier 7 US MD
> https://www.airnav.com/airport/4MD
>
> KCHT - Chillicothe US MO
> https://www.airnav.com/airport/KCHT
>
> KK51 - Medicine Lodge US KS
> https://www.airnav.com/airport/K51
>
> KM46 - Colstrip US MT
> https://www.airnav.com/airport/M46
>
> PACE - Central US AK
> https://www.airnav.com/airport/PACE
>
> PACI - Chalkyitsik US AK
> https://www.airnav.com/airport/PACI
>
> METAR Site ID Change:
> K2V5 to KRYA - Wray US CO
>
>
> *SYNOP:*
> 35129 - Kandyagash KZ
>
> https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-398-0-35129
>
> 42364 - Etawah IN
> https://www.ogimet.com/display_synops2.php?lang=en&lugar=42364
>
> 42878 - unknown IN
>
> 63726 - Kabale UG
>
> https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-20000-0-63726
>
> 63735 - Ukerewe TZ
>
> https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-834-20000-63735
>
> 83004 - San Paulo/IAG BR (previously unknown)
>
> https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-76-0-3550308000W83004
>
> 85312 - Monteagudo BO (previously unknown)
>
> https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-20000-0-85312
>
> _________________________________________________________
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