Definition
An AWOS is an automated, ground-based system installed at or near an airport that continuously measures local weather conditions and broadcasts the results to pilots by radio and, in many cases, by telephone. Depending on the model (AWOS-A through AWOS-3P&T), it reports some combination of altimeter setting, wind direction and speed, temperature and dew point, density altitude, visibility, cloud height, precipitation type, and thunderstorm activity. Reports are typically updated about once per minute.
Plain English
A machine at the airport that takes the weather and reads it out loud over the radio, so pilots can hear current conditions before takeoff or landing.
Context Anchor
Pilots commonly hear AWOS on a published radio frequency before takeoff, before landing, or when checking weather at a nontowered airport.
Derivation
Automated means it runs by itself without a human observer. Observing here means measuring and reporting what is actually happening, not forecasting. Together, the name describes a station that watches the weather on its own.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots immediate access to accurate, up-to-date weather at airports that have no human weather observer, supporting safe go/no-go and landing decisions.
Grounding Statement
AWOS is the airport’s automatic voice for current local weather.
Intuition Check
AWOS is not a forecast and it is not air traffic control. It reports measured weather conditions at that airport, usually from automatic sensors.
Example Sentence 1
Ten miles out, she tuned the AWOS frequency and copied down the wind, altimeter setting, and ceiling before joining the pattern.
Example Sentence 2
AWOS reported a temperature of 12 degrees and an altimeter setting of 29.92 as the aircraft approached the field.