A meteorological observer, or weather observer, is a person authorized by a weather authority to make or record meteorological observations. They are technicians who are responsible for the accurate observation, rapid measurement, timely collection, recording, and timely submission of meteorological parameters and information and various atmospheric phenomena to the Meteorological Center. Surface, upper air, radar, and satellite are all forms of weather observations. Role Meteorological observers play a key role in many flood, drought, environmental and water resources applications. Whilst rainfall observations are most widely used, other parameters of interest include air temperatures, humidity and wind speeds. The main measurement techniques include raingauges, weather stations and weather radar, with satellite precipitation estimates playing an important role in data-sparse regions. METARs are generated by both government-owned and privately contracted facilities. The collection of weather data can be automated by machines, such as the AWOS, and the ASOS. These automated facilities help gather large amounts of data. Surface observations provide specific and relevant information around an airport. The FAA recommends this guideline of information in a report: type of report: interval update, or update for rapid changes station identifier: 4 letter code date and time: date is the first two digits; last four digits are the time in UTC modifier: denotes report came from an automated source, or was manually corrected wind: first three digits are direction (in tens of degrees), last two digits are wind speed measured in knots visibility: reported in statute miles, runway visibility is also reported weather phenomena: intensity, proximity, description sky condition: amount, height, vertical visibility temperature and dew point: measured in Celsius, "M" denotes negative temperature altitude: measured in inches of mercury, Hg The information can be obtained manually or automatically. Although the individual reports cover a small radius, when combined together, they create a larger map of the general area. Tasks A weather observer responsibilities are to collect, record, and map weather conditions. The job usually requires monitoring conditions at all times, so work is usually distributed on shifts around the clock, on weekends, and on holidays as necessary. It is an all weather job, gathering weather information in good as well as in poor weather. Thus, it requires the ability to work in the heat, cold, rain, wind, or other environmental conditions. The weather observer may research information about other weather station observations to help users plan their activities (such as briefing for pilots)