Definition
In the context of automated weather observing systems, augmented means that an automated weather report has been supplemented or enhanced by a human observer who adds information the automated equipment cannot detect or report on its own — such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, or certain types of obstructions to vision.
Plain English
The machine produced a weather report, and a person added extra details to it that the machine couldn't see or measure.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of automated airport weather observing systems, especially where the report may include both machine-measured weather and human-added details.
Derivation
From the Latin 'augere,' meaning 'to increase' or 'to add to.' That fits exactly here — a human is adding to what the automated system already produced.
Why Pilots Care
The added human observations can include critical phenomena such as thunderstorms, volcanic ash, or tower visibility that affect flight decisions.
Intuition Check
Do not read augmented as “fancy,” “advanced,” or “better in every way.” In this context, it means “added to” or “supplemented,” usually with human-observed weather information.
Example Sentence 1
Because the field has a certified weather observer on duty, the METAR is augmented and will note any thunderstorm activity in the area.
Example Sentence 2
Because the station was augmented, the METAR included visibility restrictions due to smoke that the sensors alone would have missed.