Airport Data vs. Weather Data Generated by Personal Stations

In general, it is best to rely on Airport Data rather than Weather Data Generated by Personal Weather Stations for the following reasons:

1. For Heat Stress Calculators provided on this Web site that are labeled "Airport XX to WBGT", the underlying calculations are based on data obtained simultaneously from a nearby airport and data from an industrial Wet Bulb Globe Temperature device placed on a concrete surface several feet from a tennis court.

2. Airport data is generated by METAR (METeorological Aviation Report) recording instruments. This is an automated instrument package that is standardized across the entire system of US Government weather stations. Data from one location is directly comparable to data from another location. With Personal Stations, the conditions for weather observation and the instrument package used can vary widely.

3. In order to ensure that Airport Data is being used when the AirportData link is activated for calculators provided on this Web site, do the following:

  a. Tap on the AirportData link on the calculator in use.

  b.  When the Weather Underground Search Page is loaded, enter the ZIP code or the name (City,State) of the location of interest. Press Search.

  c.  When the screen showing data for the place in question is displayed, scroll down the page until  the word "METAR" is seen. Several lines above or below that word is the phrase, "Use PWS Locations" or "PWS and Airport". Select "No" or "Airport Only".

  d. At this point, the program will reload the weather data, this time from the nearest available Airport weather station. This is the data that ideally would be used to make the WBGT calculations.