Meteorological Stations and Weather Data Tools

The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'meteorological station' typically implies a higher-grade, standardized instrument meeting official agency requirements — such as WMO, NWS, or FAA standards — and is used in regulated or scientific contexts. 'Weather station' is a broader term that can include consumer-grade devices. OSI's systems meet meteorological-grade standards for professional and government use.

OSI offers four product types: the AWOS-AV FAA-certified aviation weather station, the MAWOS modular automated weather observing station, the OWI-432 WIVIS compact weather station, and the HazMet-100 portable hazardous meteorological station. Each is designed for specific applications including aviation, transportation, military, environmental research, and emergency response.

The AWOS-AV is fully FAA-certified and complies with FAR 91.171, FAR 91.175, and ICAO standards, making it suitable for official aviation weather observation at airports and private helipads. The MAWOS is a non-FAA-certified option that complies with NWS and WMO standards, ideal for applications where FAA certification is not required.

Yes. The MAWOS, OWI-432 WIVIS, and HazMet-100 all support flexible power configurations including standard AC, solar panel, and battery power. This makes them well-suited for remote or off-grid deployment in locations such as unattended monitoring sites, highway corridors, military installations, and Antarctic research stations.

The HazMet-100 can be fully set up and transmitting atmospheric data in less than 5 minutes without any tools. It includes a built-in GPS and self-aligning electronic compass, so no manual orientation to north is required. It integrates directly with EPA's ALOHA dispersion modeling software for hazardous material incident response.

OSI stations are designed for ultra-low maintenance. The core optical sensors have no moving parts, require no scheduled cleaning, and are insensitive to dirt buildup on optics. The MAWOS has an MTBF exceeding 80,000 hours. Built-in continuous self-test and self-diagnostic systems monitor performance automatically, significantly reducing the need for on-site maintenance visits.