08/19/2026
🌦️✈️ OUR NEW AWOS HAS ARRIVED! ⚡📸
We’re excited to announce that our new Mesotech AWOS IIIPT has officially arrived at Madison Regional Airport!
There is a possibility that installation will begin this weekend, with commissioning of the new system potentially taking place Monday!
During the transition, weather reporting may be temporarily unavailable, so please watch for NOTAMs if you are planning to fly into Madison.
🌦️ So, what makes this new AWOS so special?
Our current AWOS has been serving Madison since 2004. Over the years, we have upgraded portions of the system to add features such as rain sensing and present weather reporting, but the core of the system is now more than 20 years old and showing its age.
The new Mesotech system replaces that aging equipment with brand new technology while adding some significant new capabilities.
⚡ Thunderstorm & Lightning Detection
Our upgrade from an AWOS IIIP to an AWOS IIIPT adds thunderstorm and lightning detection.
This gives pilots another important piece of information when thunderstorms are developing or moving through the area. The system can detect thunderstorm activity around Madison and incorporate that information into our aviation weather observations.
But this information is useful for much more than aviation.
🌎 Another Piece of the Weather Puzzle
The weather data collected right here in Madison contributes to the larger network of weather observations used to understand what is happening across our area.
Think of Madison Regional Airport as another piece of the weather forecasting puzzle.
Radar and satellites can tell meteorologists a lot about a storm, but observations from the ground are important too. Our AWOS continuously provides real-world measurements from Madison, including wind speed and direction, temperature, dew point, visibility, cloud conditions, precipitation, barometric pressure and, with our new system, thunderstorm and lightning activity.
Meteorologists and weather services can combine observations from locations like Madison with radar, satellite data, lightning information and observations from other weather stations to build a more complete picture of what is happening across the region.
With the addition of thunderstorm detection, Madison becomes an even more valuable observation point by providing another source of information about storm development, location and intensity.
Every reliable observation helps fill in another piece of the weather puzzle. 🌦️⚡
🔋 4-Hour Battery Backup & Improved Surge Protection
Weather information can be most important when the weather is at its worst.
One of the limitations of our current system is simple. If we lose power, we stop collecting weather data.
That can happen at exactly the time we need that information most, such as during a strong thunderstorm or severe weather event.
Our new AWOS includes significantly improved surge protection and approximately four hours of battery backup. If commercial power goes out, the AWOS can continue operating and collecting critical weather information instead of immediately going offline.
This also gives us the ability to continue monitoring conditions during and after a storm while power is being restored.
🌐 Better Redundancy & Connectivity
The new AWOS also changes how the system is designed. Much of the computer and communications equipment will now be located inside the terminal building, where we can provide additional protection, backup power and connectivity.
The airport has also completely upgraded its internet infrastructure.
Metronet fiber serves as our primary internet connection, with Starlink providing an independent backup connection.
If our primary internet connection goes down, we have another path available to help keep critical airport systems connected and weather data moving.
📸 The Region’s First FAA Weather Camera!
One of the upgrades we’re most excited about is the addition of an FAA Weather Camera at Madison Regional Airport.
The camera will provide a 180-degree view of conditions around the airport. We plan to orient the camera primarily toward the southwest, which is the direction many of our storms approach Madison from.
This should provide a great visual tool for pilots, meteorologists and the community to see weather approaching the area.
FAA Weather Camera siting requirements call for the image to contain approximately 70% sky and 30% ground. We hope to position the camera so that the ground portion of the image also includes a view of the runway.
That means pilots may be able to see the runway environment and surrounding visibility while also getting a wide view of approaching weather.
The AWOS can tell you what the instruments are measuring.
📸 The Weather Camera lets you see what the weather actually looks like.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!
📱 New AWOS Live App
The new system also brings more modern ways to access Madison’s weather information through the AWOS Live platform, making it easier for pilots and anyone interested in local weather to access current conditions.
☎️ The AWOS Phone Line is Coming Back!
Our AWOS telephone number, 812-866-1798, will also return to service with the new system.
The phone number has been temporarily NOTAMed out of service because we needed to physically relocate the phone service and transfer carriers as part of the new AWOS installation.
Once the new system is commissioned, we expect the familiar 812-866-1798 number to be back online, giving pilots another way to quickly access Madison’s current weather conditions.
📢 NOTAM Broadcasting
Our new system also gives us the ability to include important NOTAM information in the AWOS voice broadcast when necessary.
That gives us another way to communicate important airport information directly to pilots.
🎙️ And finally, one upgrade we’ve been waiting a long time to hear…
When you tune in to Madison’s AWOS, you’ll finally hear:
“Madison Regional Airport…”
instead of:
“Madison Municipal Airport.” ✈️
After more than 20 years of service from our current AWOS, this is much more than simply replacing an old weather station.
We are adding better storm detection, improved surge protection, battery backup, redundant communications, new ways to access weather information and a live 180-degree FAA Weather Camera.
Most importantly, we are improving the reliability and quality of the weather information being collected right here in Madison for pilots, meteorologists, weather services and our community.
It’s another investment in making Madison Regional Airport safer, more resilient and better connected while making Madison another stronger piece of the regional weather puzzle.
Stay tuned for installation updates, and please watch NOTAMs during the transition! 🌦️✈️⚡
📍 Madison Regional Airport
📻 AWOS: 119.175 MHz
☎️ AWOS Phone: 812-866-1798
