Columbia Weather Systems

Cloud Base has been added to the suite of available measurements with the CWS monitoring options including WeatherMaster Software™ , the Weather MicroServer™ , and coming soon to the Weather Display Console . This feature was requested by our long-time customer CW Price, a supplier to the aviation industry based in South Africa. An important meteorological variable for aviation safety, cloud base can help determine whether pilots may use visual flight rules or instrument flight rules for take-off and landing. The height of the cloud base can be measured using a ceilometer, a pretty expensive piece of equipment. Alternatively, The US Federal Aviation Administration, and other agencies, suggest a calculated measurement to estimate the cloud base from surface measurements of air temperature and humidity by calculating the lifted condensation level. The calculated parameter of cloud base is available with any CWS weather station that measures air temperature and relative humidity. ...

“Flying buddy” preps for flight with local pilot at Fairbury Municipal Airport. Courtesy of Chad Sprunk.  Planes take off and land “into the wind” for faster liftoffs and to reduce the length of runway needed, according to Sandi Decker, manager at Fairbury (NE) Municipal Airport. Current weather conditions help determine which of the two runways is to be used for any given flight. The airport chose a Magellan MX500™ Weather Station with Weather Display Console for their requirements. The Weather Display is in the front office for pilots and staff to view. “I’m really pleased with it,” says Sandi. So pleased that she recommended the Magellan MX Weather Station to nearby Seward Municipal Airport. Thanks, Sandi!

#TBT: Promoting the Capricorn II Digital Weather Station at a local airshow was a family affair in August 1983. The weather data was provided to pilots for flight operations. Even then sales were international, so a local event was a rare opportunity. Columbia Weather Systems was spun off from Hinds Instruments in 1998. In our 20th year of independent operation, we're looking back a bit to our roots. We've been in the weather monitoring business quite a while.

Did you know that using high-beams while driving in fog is dangerous? Headlights actually reduce visibility, as the light is reflected by the fog itself. As a result, the probability of collision is raised, affecting the safety of drivers, aviators, and mariners. Get tips on how to be prepared in foggy conditions, and learn more about how it is formed by visiting Weather.gov/fog . #WeatherReadyNation #WRNAmbassador #WinterWx #WRN