Definition
A phrase used in Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) broadcasts to indicate that one or more weather elements (such as thunderstorms, precipitation type, or ceiling) are not being detected or reported by that station, either because the sensor is missing, inoperative, or not part of that station's configuration.
Plain English
When you hear this in an automated weather broadcast, it means the station is not watching for certain weather conditions, so it cannot tell you whether they are present or not. The absence of a report does not mean the condition is absent.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport condition reports, NOTAMs, and winter operations information when surface conditions may change and are not being actively reported.
Derivation
Condition comes from a Latin word meaning a state or situation. Monitor comes from a Latin word meaning to warn or advise, and later came to mean watching something so changes can be noticed. Together, the phrase points to the state of an airport surface not being actively watched and reported.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots cannot assume the reported conditions remain accurate and must plan for possible changes or request verification.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as meaning the conditions are good or bad. It only means the conditions are not being actively checked and reported.
Example Sentence 1
The AWOS broadcast ended with "thunderstorm information not available, conditions not monitored," so the pilot called Flight Service for a convective update before departure.
Example Sentence 2
With braking action listed as conditions not monitored, the crew elected to have the runway inspected before takeoff.