| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Station | Loading… |
| Wind | Loading… |
| Visibility | Loading… |
| Sky Cover | Loading… |
| Ceiling | Loading… |
| Temperature | Loading… |
| Dewpoint | Loading… |
| Altimeter | Loading… |
An Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) is a network of weather-sensing equipment maintained by the National Weather Service (NWS), the FAA, and the Department of Defense. ASOS stations are located at airports across the country and provide continuous, automated weather observations 24 hours a day.
The nearest ASOS to the CBRC flying field is at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), station identifier KBWI. While BWI is several miles from our field, it provides the most reliable official weather data for our area.
ASOS observations are transmitted as METAR reports — a standardized aviation weather format used by pilots worldwide. Reports are issued at least once per hour, and "special" reports are issued any time conditions change significantly.
A typical METAR looks like this:
Here's what each group means:
| Group | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Station ID | KBWI | ICAO identifier for BWI Airport. K = USA, BWI = airport code. |
| Date/Time | 071554Z | 7th day of month, 15:54 UTC (Zulu time). Always in UTC. |
| Wind | 18012KT | Wind FROM 180° (south) at 12 knots. If gusting: 18012G20KT. |
| Visibility | 10SM | Visibility 10 statute miles. 10SM is often the maximum reported. |
| Sky Cover | FEW045 BKN250 | Few clouds at 4,500 ft, Broken layer at 25,000 ft. Height is in hundreds of feet. |
| Temp/Dew | 22/11 | Temperature 22°C, Dewpoint 11°C. Negative values shown as M (e.g., M05). |
| Altimeter | A2992 | Barometric pressure 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg). |
| Remarks | RMK AO2 | AO2 = automated station with precipitation discriminator. Additional info follows. |
| Code | Name | Coverage | For RC Pilots |
|---|---|---|---|
SKC / CLR | Sky Clear | 0/8 of sky covered | Excellent — no clouds |
FEW | Few | 1/8 – 2/8 covered | Great — mostly open sky |
SCT | Scattered | 3/8 – 4/8 covered | Good — still plenty of blue |
BKN | Broken | 5/8 – 7/8 covered | Ceiling reported — note altitude |
OVC | Overcast | 8/8 covered | Ceiling — can limit visibility of aircraft |
VV | Vertical Visibility | Obscured | Fog/smoke — poor conditions |
Cloud heights in METAR are in hundreds of feet Above Ground Level (AGL).
BKN045 = broken layer at 4,500 ft AGL.
RC pilots care about weather for many of the same reasons full-scale pilots do — plus a few unique to the hobby:
- Wind speed & direction — High winds make aircraft difficult to control and can cause crashes. Most pilots prefer winds under 15 knots; beginners should fly in under 8 knots.
- Gusts — Sudden wind changes are more dangerous than steady winds. Watch the gust factor.
- Visibility — FAA rules require recreational RC pilots to maintain visual line-of-sight (VLOS) with their aircraft at all times. Poor visibility limits how far and high you can safely fly.
- Cloud ceiling — Flying near or in clouds is prohibited. A low ceiling reduces usable airspace.
- Temperature — Very cold temperatures affect battery performance (especially LiPo batteries), and very hot temperatures can cause thermal issues in electronic speed controllers.
- Density Altitude — Hot, humid, or high-altitude conditions reduce air density, affecting propeller efficiency and motor performance.
The FAA requires recreational flyers to check the airspace and weather before every flight. This page provides the official ASOS report so you can make that check without leaving the site.
| Rating | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ Excellent | <10 kts | >8 SM | Clear or >3,000 ft |
| 🟢 Good | 10–15 kts | 5–8 SM | 2,500–3,000 ft |
| 🟡 Marginal | 15–25 kts | 3–5 SM | 1,000–2,500 ft |
| 🔴 Poor | >25 kts | <3 SM | <1,000 ft |
These thresholds are guidelines based on common RC pilot practice. The overall condition rating reflects the worst of the three individual ratings. Always use your own judgment — club rules and AMA guidelines take precedence.