FAA Certified

FAA Certified AWOS

ISO 9001:2015 certified

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

CE certified

CE Certified

Visibility and Present Weather Sensor

Optical Scientific's Visibility and Present Weather Sensors use patented optical scintillation and DSP technology to deliver no-drift, maintenance-free measurements of visibility, precipitation type, and weather conditions. Trusted by the FAA, NASA, NOAA, and state DOTs, these sensors operate reliably in all climates with over 800 million field hours of proven performance.

OWI-430 DSP-WIVIS Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors
APG-815-DS (All Precipitation Gauge)
LP-WIVIS Low Power Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors
APG All Precipitation Weather Identifier and Gauges
MAWOS Modular Automated Weather Observing Stations
OWI-430-RH DSP-WIVIS Present Weather and Visibility Sensors
DSP-WIVIS Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors
AWOS-AV FAA Certified Automated Weather Observing Stations
OWI-432 WIVIS Small Weather Station

Our Range of Products

OWI-430 DSP-WIVIS Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors

OWI-430 DSP-WIVIS Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors

  • Triple aperture optical DSP, no-drift accuracy
  • 60+ NWS/WMO codes, FAA AWOS certified
  • Self-regulating dual heaters, all-weather use
APG-815-DS (All Precipitation Gauge)

APG-815-DS (All Precipitation Gauge)

  • 0.001–500 mm/hr range, 5% accuracy
  • No moving parts, solar-compatible 12 VDC
  • Adaptive heater tech for remote operation
LP-WIVIS Low Power Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors

LP-WIVIS Low Power Weather Identifier and Visibility Sensors

  • Battery/solar powered, low-power design
  • 3-tech sensing: optical + acoustic combined
  • Built-in data acquisition, expandable sensors
APG All Precipitation Weather Identifier and Gauges

APG All Precipitation Weather Identifier and Gauges

  • Measures 0.001–500 mm/hr rain & snow
  • No moving parts, zero antifreeze needed
  • Solar compatible, 80,000+ hr MTBF
MAWOS Modular Automated Weather Observing Stations

MAWOS Modular Automated Weather Observing Stations

  • Modular design, factory configurable sensors
  • OWI-432 core, 800M+ field hours proven
  • Solar compatible, 24/7 self-diagnostics
OWI-430-RH DSP-WIVIS Present Weather and Visibility Sensors

OWI-430-RH DSP-WIVIS Present Weather and Visibility Sensors

  • Triple sensing: optical + acoustic detection
  • 60+ NWS/WMO present weather codes
  • No field calibration, 80,000+ hr MTBF

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a present weather sensor and how does it work?

A present weather sensor automatically detects and reports current atmospheric conditions including precipitation type (rain, snow, drizzle, freezing rain, hail), intensity, and visibility. OSI's sensors use a combination of in-beam optical scintillation, off-axis forward scattering, and optional acoustic detection, processed by DSP algorithms to deliver accurate, real-time weather codes in NWS and WMO formats.

What is the difference between visibility measurement and present weather detection?

Are OSI's visibility sensors FAA-certified for use in AWOS systems?

Do these sensors require regular field calibration or maintenance?

What precipitation types can OSI weather sensors detect and report?

Can OSI visibility and weather sensors operate in extreme environments?

What communication interfaces and power options are available?

Didn't find what you're looking for?

Talk to our experts for custom solutions and tailored guidance.

Industries We Serve

Aviation & Airports

Aviation & Airports

FAA-compliant visibility and present weather sensors for AWOS systems, runway monitoring, and flight safety reporting.

Highway & Transportation

Highway & Transportation

Road weather information system sensors for DOT networks detecting icing, snow, and low visibility on highways.

Marine & Ocean Monitoring

Marine & Ocean Monitoring

Ruggedized weather sensors for data buoys, ships, and offshore platforms measuring precipitation and visibility at sea.

Environmental Research & Monitoring

Environmental Research & Monitoring

High-accuracy sensors for hydromet, agrimet, air quality, avalanche studies, and climate research data networks.

Didn't find what you're looking for?

Talk to our experts for custom solutions and tailored guidance.

You might also like

Why Aviation, Transportation & Environmental Professionals Choose Optical Scientific

800M+ Field Hours of Proven Data

OSI's patented AI-driven algorithms are built from over 800 million real-world field hours, ensuring unmatched accuracy and reliability across all climate conditions.

Zero Maintenance, 80,000+ Hr MTBF

No moving parts, no field calibration, and automatic lens compensation deliver 24/7/365 unattended operation with an MTBF well exceeding 80,000 hours.

Trusted by NASA, FAA & NOAA

For over 30 years, OSI sensors have been selected by the world's most demanding agencies, including NASA, the FAA, NOAA, NWS, and multiple branches of the U.S. military.

Get Expert Guidance on the Right Weather Sensor

Submit your inquiry and an OSI technical specialist will respond with product recommendations, specs, and pricing tailored to your application.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +01 301 963 3630. You can also send us a quick email at info@opticalscientific.com.