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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JO 7900.5E CHANGE CHG 1 FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Effective Air Traffic Organization Policy Date: 07/1/2021 SUBJ: Surface Weather Observing 1. Purpose. This change amends practices and procedures in Surface Weather Observing. 2. Who this change affects. This order applies to all FAA and FAA-contract personnel, Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Stations (LAWRS) personnel, Non-Federal Observation (NF-OBS) Program personnel, as well as United States Coast Guard (USCG) personnel, as a component of the Department of Homeland Security and engaged in taking and reporting aviation surface observations. 3. Disposition of Transmittal Paragraph. Retain this transmittal sheet until the directive is replaced by a new directive. PAGE CHANGE CONTROL CHART Remove Pages Dated Insert Pages Dated 15 thru 29 01/15/20 15 thru 29 07/01/21 72 thru 76 01/15/20 72 thru 76 07/01/21 93 01/15/20 93 07/01/21 96 01/15/20 96 07/01/21 120 01/15/20 120 07/01/21 123 01/15/20 123 07/01/21 4. Administrative Information. 5. Where I can find this order. This order is available on the FAA Web site at Air Traffic Publications and on the My FAA employee website at Orders and Notices. 6. Explanation of Changes. This change adds new criteria for weather observers including LAWRS to issue a SPECI weather observation to report the beginning,ending, or change in intensity of snow. In 2019, an SRM panel determined that this change to SPECI reporting criteria did not change the existing acceptable level of risk for the system. This change also adds new criteria to issue a SPECI weather observation when the visibility increases/decreases at or below 1/2 statute mile or 1/4 statute mile. Adding the lower visibility SPECI criteria will assist in automatically generating a SNOW SPECI at controlled/uncontrolled airports. Distribution: Electronic Initiated By: AJT-2 07/1/2021 JO 7900.5E, Chg 1 ASOS/AWOS-C must also have these new SPECI thresholds added to the system local SPECI criteria until ASOS/AWOS-C software is upgraded. Paragraph 3.10 is revised to clarify that the NWS MF1M-10C is only completed at manual stations. Table 3-1, Chapter 11, 12 and 13 have also been edited to clarify that weather observers do not augment/edit the additive data groups that the automated weather observation system automatically generates. 7. Distribution. This order is distributed to select offices in Washington Headquarters; Air Traffic Organization; Office of Operations Planning; NAS Weather Office; Flight Standards Service; the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center; the William J. Hughes Technical Center; the USCG Elizabeth City Facility; the Department of Defense (DoD); all air traffic field facilities; all Alaska flight service stations (FSS); FAA-contract weather; and the National Weather Service (NWS). Jeffrey U. Vincent Vice President Air Traffic Services Air Traffic Organization 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ORDER FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION JO 7900.5E Air Traffic Organization Policy Effective Date: 01/15/2020 SUBJ: Surface Weather Observing The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Surface Weather Observer Program is a component of the National Airspace System (NAS). It combines with other elements of the NAS to ensure the overall safety of air transportation services. The FAA is committed to providing the resources necessary to ensure the vibrancy of this critical aviation service. This order provides the practices and procedures for weather observation services that support the important role it plays in the mission of the FAA. The practices and procedures set forth in this order apply to all FAA personnel, FAA-contract personnel, and non-Federal Observer personnel who provide aviation weather observation services. Weather observer personnel are required to apply the provision of this order as it pertains to their observational responsibilities. Observers are expected to exercise experienced judgment when encountering situations not covered by this order. Jeffrey U. Vincent Vice President Air Traffic Services Distribution: Electronic Initiated By: AJT-2 01/15/2020 JO 7900.5E Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Purpose of This Order ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Audience. ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.3. Where to Find This Order ............................................................................................... 1 1.4. Cancellation .................................................................................................................... 1 1.5. Explanation of Changes .................................................................................................. 1 1.6. Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................... 2 1.7. Relationship to FMH-1 and Other Documents ............................................................... 2 1.8. Applicability of Procedures and Practices ...................................................................... 3 1.9. User Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 3 1.10. Distribution ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.11. Changing the Order ......................................................................................................... 4 1.12. Maintaining the Order ..................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2. Guidelines ................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Introduction. .................................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Types of Stations ............................................................................................................. 5 2.3. Non-Federal Weather Observation (NF-OBS) Station ................................................... 5 2.4. General Types of Observations ....................................................................................... 5 2.5. Augmentation Requirements .......................................................................................... 6 2.6. Backup Requirements ..................................................................................................... 7 2.7. Evaluating Weather Sensor Accuracy ............................................................................. 8 Chapter 3. General Procedures .................................................................................. 10 3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 10 3.2. Certification of Personnel and Currency Requirements................................................ 10 3.3. Definitions ..................................................................................................................... 10 3.4. Aviation Weather Observing Locations ........................................................................ 12 3.5. General Observing Practices ......................................................................................... 12 3.6. Dissemination ............................................................................................................... 13 3.7. Corrections to Transmitted Data ................................................................................... 14 3.8. Delayed Reports (Manual Stations Only) ..................................................................... 14 3.9. Rounding Off Numbers ................................................................................................. 15 3.10. Record Keeping and Forms .......................................................................................... 15 3.11. Criteria for SPECI Observations ................................................................................... 15 3.12. Content of METAR/SPECI Observations ..................................................................... 17 Chapter 4. General Procedures at Automated Weather Stations ................................ 30 4.1. Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 30 4.2. Types of Automated Stations ........................................................................................ 30 4.3. Procedures for Handling Aircraft Mishaps at Automated Sites .................................... 31 Chapter 5. Augmentation Requirements at Automated Weather Stations .................. 32 5.1. Introduction. .................................................................................................................. 32 5.2. Validity of Data ............................................................................................................. 32 5.3. Sign On/Sign Off the Automated Weather Observing Systems ................................... 32 ii 01/15/2020 JO 7900.5E 5.4. Augmentation Observing Procedures ........................................................................... 33 5.5. General Reporting Procedures .....................................................................................