WIDESPREAD ALDARS OUTAGE, 28-29 Mar 2017
Forum user coldlover discovered what appears to have been a regional ALDARS outage last night. We don’t know if it was a
planned outage; but it considering it affected an area that was expecting severe weather, it would have been unwise to go
ahead with such a planned outage. Many sites reported TSNO between about 0325Z-0550Z (29th Mar, though the beginning
of the period was late on the 28th local times). However, even some sites that did not report TSNO, missed some lightning.
Pueblo, Colorado:
SPECI KPUB 290603Z AUTO 09008KT 5SM -RA BR FEW007 SCT017
OVC033 06/04 A2997 RMK AO2 P0001 T00560044 TSNO
METAR KPUB 290553Z AUTO 10010KT 5SM -RA BR FEW007 BKN017
OVC035 06/04 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP131 P0002 60019
T00560044 10089 20056 51023 TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290544Z AUTO 09010KT 4SM -RA BR BKN008 BKN013
OVC019 06/04 A2997 RMK AO2 CIG 005V011 P0001 T00560044
TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290535Z AUTO 09010KT 5SM -RA BR SCT006 BKN010
OVC015 06/05 A2998 RMK AO2 CIG 007V014 P0001 T00610050
TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290521Z AUTO 10010KT 10SM -RA FEW006 BKN015 OVC019
06/04 A2997 RMK AO2 P0000 T00610044 TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290512Z AUTO 10007KT 10SM -RA BKN006 BKN014 OVC021
06/05 A2996 RMK AO2 CIG 005V009 P0000 T00610050
TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290504Z AUTO 09006KT 9SM -RA SCT009 BKN016 OVC021
06/05 A2995 RMK AO2 P0000 T00610050 TSNO
METAR KPUB 290453Z AUTO 10006KT 8SM -RA SCT008 BKN014 OVC029
06/05 A2996 RMK AO2 RAE20B46 SLP128 P0001 T00610050
TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290446Z AUTO 11008KT 9SM -RA SCT008 BKN012 OVC042
07/05 A2997 RMK AO2 RAE20B46 P0001 T00670050 TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290441Z AUTO 10008KT 10SM SCT008 BKN028 OVC037
07/05 A2997 RMK AO2 RAE20 P0001 T00670050 TSNO
SPECI KPUB 290400Z AUTO 36014KT 10SM -RA SCT022 SCT030 OVC044
06/05 A2986 RMK AO2 PRESFR P0001 T00610050 TSNO
ALDARS was out at Pueblo (or more properly to say, the communications link between the national ALDARS database,
and Pueblo was down) from the period of 0400Z-0603Z. There was not lightning in that area during the outage.
Garden City, Kansas:
METAR KGCK 290554Z AUTO 03020G26KT 4SM -RA BR OVC005 07/06
A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 03026/0548 RAB39 CIG 003V007
SLP118 P0000 60005 T00670056 10078 20067 400940067
51005 TSNO
SPECI KGCK 290522Z AUTO 04015KT 4SM BR OVC005 07/06 A2990
RMK AO2 CIG 004V008 T00670061 TSNO
METAR KGCK 290454Z AUTO 05021G27KT 5SM BR OVC004 07/06 A2988
RMK AO2 PK WND 03027/0425 RAE47 SLP118 P0003 T00670061 TSNO
SPECI KGCK 290444Z AUTO 04018G24KT 4SM -RA BR OVC004 07/06
A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 03027/0425 P0003 T00670056 TSNO
SPECI KGCK 290421Z AUTO 04019KT 2SM -RA BR OVC004 07/06 A2988
RMK AO2 PK WND 05026/0419 P0003 T00670061 TSNO
METAR KGCK 290354Z AUTO 04017G25KT 1 1/4SM RA BR OVC002 07/06
A2988 RMK AO2 RAB40 SLP120 P0002 T00670061 TSNO
SPECI KGCK 290343Z AUTO 04016G24KT 1 3/4SM -RA BR OVC003
07/06 A2989 RMK AO2 RAB40 P0000 T00670061 TSNO
SPECI KGCK 290330Z AUTO 03017KT 4SM BR OVC004 07/06 A2990
RMK AO2 T00670056 TSNO
METAR KGCK 290254Z AUTO 04017KT 10SM OVC006 07/06 A2986 RMK
AO2 SLP111 T00670056 51006
ALDARS was out for 2+ hours at Garden City. No nearby lightning was detected during the period.
Phillip Billard Municipal Airport, Topeka, Kansas:
SPECI KTOP 290622Z AUTO 03011G19KT 5SM VCTS -RA BR BKN018
BKN023 OVC036 11/11 A2993 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S AND
SW P0003 T01110106
METAR KTOP 290553Z AUTO 03010KT 7SM -RA OVC016 12/11 A2996
RMK AO2 RAB20 SLP144 P0001 60001 T01170106 10122
20117 401330067 56013 TSNO
METAR KTOP 290453Z AUTO 06013KT 9SM OVC015 12/10 A2996 RMK
AO2 PRESRR SLP145 T01220100 TSNO
SPECI KTOP 290401Z AUTO 05014KT 9SM BKN015 OVC020 12/11 A2995
RMK AO2 T01170106 TSNO
METAR KTOP 290353Z AUTO 06013KT 9SM OVC014 12/11 A2996 RMK
AO2 SLP145 T01170106 TSNO
METAR KTOP 290253Z AUTO 07011KT 9SM OVC014 12/11 A3000 RMK
AO2 SLP158 T01170106 53001
There wasn’t any lightning detected nearby during the ALDARS outage period, but a thunderstorm began right afterwards.
Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas:
SPECI KFOE 290622Z AUTO 04012G20KT 3SM TSRA BR FEW015 FEW020
OVC034 12/10 A2991 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE-SW TSB16
P0016 T01170100
SPECI KFOE 290611Z AUTO 03014KT 3SM RA BR SCT015 SCT023 OVC033
12/10 A2989 RMK AO2 PRESFR P0011 T01170100 TSNO
SPECI KFOE 290603Z AUTO 03012KT 2SM RA BR SCT015 BKN020 OVC033
12/10 A2992 RMK AO2 P0009 T01170100 TSNO
METAR KFOE 290553Z AUTO 02014G19KT 4SM RA BR BKN015 OVC033
12/10 A2991 RMK AO2 RAB07 PRESFR SLP128 P0007
60007 T01170100 10122 20117 401390094 58023 TSNO
SPECI KFOE 290539Z AUTO 02013KT 5SM RA BR BKN015 OVC033 12/10
A2994 RMK AO2 RAB07 P0004 T01170100 TSNO
METAR KFOE 290453Z AUTO 06006G16KT 8SM OVC013 12/10 A2997
RMK AO2 PRESRR SLP147 T01220100 TSNO
METAR KFOE 290353Z AUTO 05012G20KT 8SM OVC014 12/10 A2994
RMK AO2 SLP136 T01220100 TSNO
METAR KFOE 290253Z 07011KT 8SM OVC012 12/10 A2998 RMK AO2
SLP153 T01220100 55003
Immediately after the ALDARS outage period, a thunderstorm began at Forbes Field.
Salina, Kansas:
SPECI KSLN 290626Z AUTO 07013G25KT 4SM VCTS +RA BR BKN060
OVC080 11/09 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 08028/0607 LTG
DSNT SW P0011 T01110094
METAR KSLN 290553Z AUTO 08019G30KT 5SM +RA BR FEW060 OVC075
11/09 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 09030/0550 SLP115 P0023
60096 T01060094 10117 20100 401390089 58038 TSNO
METAR KSLN 290453Z AUTO 08013G20KT 4SM +RA BR SCT006 OVC050
11/09 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP134 P0034 T01060094 TSNO
METAR KSLN 290353Z 06011KT 3SM +RA BR FEW005 BKN050 OVC070
11/09 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP151 P0023 T01060094
During the ALDARS outage period, there was some lightning about 20 miles east of Salina at 0412Z,
so LTG DSNT E could have been reported if a SPECI had been generated shortly thereafter.
Joplin, Missouri:
METAR KJLN 290553Z AUTO 11014G22KT 8SM -RA BKN050 BKN065
OVC080 16/12 A2980 RMK AO2 RAB46 SLP086 P0001
60001 T01560122 10178 20150 402000100 58021 TSNO
METAR KJLN 290453Z AUTO 09016G21KT 10SM FEW075 BKN120 17/12
A2983 RMK AO2 SLP098 T01670117 TSNO
METAR KJLN 290353Z AUTO 08009KT 10SM FEW060 BKN110 16/11
A2986 RMK AO2 SLP109 T01560111 TSNO
Thunderstorms reached Joplin after the ALDARS outage period.
Grand Island, Nebraska:
METAR KGRI 290553Z AUTO 05007KT 3SM -RA BR OVC006 06/06 A3007
RMK AO2 CIG 004V010 SLP193 P0000 60012 T00610061
10078 20061 401111006 55003 TSNO $
SPECI KGRI 290527Z AUTO 06007KT 3SM -RA BR BKN006 BKN016
OVC050 06/06 A3007 RMK AO2 P0000 T00610061 TSNO $
SPECI KGRI 290508Z AUTO 05008KT 4SM -RA BR FEW006 BKN050
OVC060 06/06 A3007 RMK AO2 P0000 T00610061 TSNO $
METAR KGRI 290453Z AUTO 05009KT 4SM -RA BR OVC060 06/06 A3007
RMK AO2 SLP194 P0003 T00610061 TSNO $
METAR KGRI 290353Z AUTO 05010KT 4SM -RA BR OVC055 06/06 A3006
RMK AO2 SLP193 P0005 T00610061 TSNO $
ALDARS was out at Grand Island for 2+ hours.
Roswell, New Mexico:
METAR KROW 290551Z AUTO 26010KT 5SM RA FEW018 BKN036 OVC045
09/07 RMK AO2 PK WND 27030/0455 SLPNO P0014 60028
T00940067 10194 20094 TSNO $
METAR KROW 290451Z AUTO 27018G27KT 9SM RA OVC041 09/06 RMK
AO2 PK WND 27027/0433 RAB12 SLPNO P0014 T00940061 TSNO $
METAR KROW 290351Z AUTO 31017KT 10SM BKN075 OVC090 14/02
RMK AO2 PK WND 03026/0303 WSHFT 0317 SLPNO T01390017 TSNO $
SPECI KROW 290337Z AUTO 32015KT 10SM SCT075 BKN090 14/01
RMK AO2 PK WND 03026/0303 WSHFT 0317 T01440011 TSNO $
ALDARS was out at Roswell for 2+ hours. There was a bit of lightning to the DSNT NW during the period,
which didn’t get reported.
Santa Fe, New Mexico:
METAR KSAF 290553Z AUTO 01009KT 10SM SCT075 OVC100 03/03
A2980 RMK AO2 SLP066 T00330028 10061 20011 51006 TSNO
METAR KSAF 290453Z AUTO 35009KT 10SM CLR 02/02 A2978 RMK
AO2 SLP059 T00220022 TSNO
METAR KSAF 290353Z AUTO 30004KT 10SM SCT019 02/02 A2980 RMK
AO2 SLP067 T00220017 TSNO
ALDARS was out at Santa Fe for 3 METARs, no bad weather was noted in the area.
Clinton-Sherman Airport, Oklahoma:
SPECI KCSM 290603Z AUTO 08013KT 6SM RA BR FEW041 SCT055 OVC075
11/09 A2979 RMK AO2 P0005 T01060094 TSNO $
METAR KCSM 290553Z 06012KT 5SM VCTS -RA BR OVC080 11/09 A2977
RMK AO2 PK WND 05031/0501 LTG DSNT SE AND S PRESRR
SLP075 P0022 60177 T01060094 10161 20100 401830089
51025 $
METAR KCSM 290453Z 06020G30KT 4SM RA BR OVC070 11/09 A2974
RMK AO2 PK WND 01037/0359 SLP066 P0024 T01060089 $
SPECI KCSM 290444Z 04023G30KT 2 1/2SM RA BR OVC075 11/09
A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 01037/0359 VIS 3/4V5 P0020
T01060089 $
METAR KCSM 290353Z 02030G37KT 4SM RA BR SCT050 BKN075 OVC085
10/08 A2969 RMK AO2 PK WND 01037/0347 TSB0256E19
SLP049 P0016 T01000083 $
SPECI KCSM 290325Z 03023G33KT 6SM RA BR OVC080 10/08 A2972
RMK AO2 PK WND 03036/0256 TSB0256E19 P0006 T01000083 $
SPECI KCSM 290302Z 03024G38KT 10SM -TSRA 10/08 A2972 RMK
AO2 PK WND 03036/0256 LTG DSNT ALQDS TSB0256 P0001
T01000083 $
TSNO appeared on the 0603Z SPECI at Clinton-Sherman Airport (KCSM). But was that the only outage period?
Apparently not:
Setting a lightning map to run from the time right after the thunderstorm ended at 0319Z, to before a VCTS began at 0553Z,
showed that there had been thunderstorms during the period. Based on the colors of the lightning strike plots, there may have
been 3 separate thunderstorms. However, TSNO was not reported by KCSM during this time. TSNO did appear later. Even during
outages, ALDARS is inconsistent!
Lawton, Oklahoma:
SPECI KLAW 290557Z AUTO 32014G27KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR SCT007
BKN016 OVC036 12/12 A2981 RMK AO2 PK WND 28027/0554
LTG DSNT ALQDS P0023 T01220117
METAR KLAW 290553Z AUTO 26018G25KT 1 1/4SM +RA BR BKN007
BKN026 OVC036 12/12 A2983 RMK AO2 PK WND 03032/0524
RAB22 PRESRR SLP099 P0050 60340 T01220117 10211
20111 402170106 53046 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290551Z AUTO 25015G22KT 1 1/4SM +RA BR BKN007
BKN024 OVC036 12/12 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 03032/0524
RAB22 PRESRR P0047 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290545Z AUTO 03010G23KT 2SM +RA BR FEW009 BKN024
OVC070 12/12 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 03032/0524 VIS
1 3/4V3 RAB22 PRESRR P0029 T01170117 TSNO
METAR KLAW 290453Z AUTO 03021KT 10SM FEW008 SCT043 OVC050
12/12 A2970 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0404 WSHFT 0357
RAE29 SLP053 P0078 T01220117 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290441Z AUTO 03024G31KT 10SM FEW006 BKN048 OVC055
12/12 A2970 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0404 WSHFT 0357
RAE29 P0078 T01220117 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290426Z AUTO 01023G27KT 7SM -RA FEW004 BKN024
OVC043 12/12 A2972 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0404 WSHFT
0357 P0078 T01170117 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290418Z AUTO 01021G41KT 2SM +RA BR FEW005 BKN013
OVC049 12/12 A2971 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0404 WSHFT
0357 P0078 T01170117 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290411Z AUTO 07019G47KT 010V120 1/2SM +RA FG FEW005
BKN013 OVC043 11/11 A2973 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0404
WSHFT 0357 P0070 T01110111 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290404Z AUTO 01036G47KT 1/2SM +RA FG BKN013 BKN036
OVC048 11/11 A2965 RMK AO2 PK WND 01047/0404 P0063
T01110111 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290357Z AUTO 33016G30KT 1 3/4SM +RA BR FEW026
BKN036 OVC048 12/12 A2973 RMK AO2 P0009 T01220122 TSNO
METAR KLAW 290353Z AUTO 36018G30KT 2 1/2SM +RA BR FEW010
BKN036 OVC050 12/12 A2971 RMK AO2 PK WND 01037/0333
TSE19 SLP059 P0056 T01220122 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290325Z AUTO 02024G30KT 6SM -RA BR SCT018 OVC040
13/13 A2969 RMK AO2 PK WND 36032/0309 TSE19 P0041
T01280128 TSNO
SPECI KLAW 290316Z AUTO 36020G32KT 3SM TSRA BR BKN020 OVC042
13/13 A2967 RMK AO2 PK WND 36032/0309 LTG DSNT
ALQDS P0037 T01280128
The ALDARS outage began by 0325Z at Lawton, since TSNO appeared on a SPECI at that time. Thunderstorm information
did not reappear until 0557Z, with each report during the outage ending with TSNO. The peak wind gust of 47 knots,
occurred at 0404Z, during the outage. Setting a lightning strike plot map to run from 0325Z-0550Z, revealed this:
Based on the colors of the lightning strike position plots, it appears that 3 thunderstorms passed through Lawton during the
ALDARS outage period. The purple plots represent lightning strikes from about 0330-0350Z, while the yellow-orange plots
show lightning that struck about 0515-0535Z. There were also lighter purple plots that struck on or near Ft. Sill, from 0405-
0415Z, closely matching the peak wind. Ft. Sill is to the north of Lawton Regional Airport, and the peak wind direction was
from 010°. Lightning also struck on Ft. Sill at 0355Z, meaning that at least a VCTS was in progress at KLAW when the gust
to 47 knots hit the airport. But, thunderstorm information was not available.
Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City:
SPECI KPWA 290646Z AUTO 35006KT 5SM VCTS RA BR BKN006 OVC060
11/11 A2976 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S AND W P0012 T01110111
SPECI KPWA 290606Z AUTO 01010KT 7SM RA OVC006 11/11 A2977
RMK AO2 CIG 004V010 P0002 T01110111 TSNO
METAR KPWA 290553Z AUTO 36014KT 6SM VCTS RA BR OVC006 11/11
A2976 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E CIG 004V010 SLP071 P0016
60142 T01110106 10200 20111 402000094 51007
METAR KPWA 290453Z AUTO 35016G22KT 5SM RA BR OVC006 11/11
A2976 RMK AO2 PK WND 32031/0407 SLP072 P0014 T01110111 TSNO
METAR KPWA 290353Z AUTO 33019G25KT 8SM RA BKN008 BKN050 OVC070
12/11 A2976 RMK AO2 PK WND 33038/0335 WSHFT 0240
TSE19 SLP074 P0030 T01170111 TSNO
SPECI KPWA 290325Z AUTO 31025G36KT 5SM RA BR FEW012 BKN049
OVC070 12/11 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 30036/0325 WSHFT
0240 TSE19 P0020 T01220111 TSNO
SPECI KPWA 290300Z AUTO 29014G26KT 3SM +TSRA BR BKN031 OVC060
13/12 A2975 RMK AO2 WSHFT 0240 LTG DSNT ALQDS
P0005 T01330122
At Wiley Post Airport, the ALDARS outage was intermittent. After TSNO appeared on 3 observations, VCTS was reported at
0553Z. But ALDARS went out again for the 0606Z SPECI, as TSNO was recorded. The main outage period, 0325-0530Z,
looked like this on a lightning strike plot map:
19 strikes met TS criteria, with many more meeting VCTS criteria. The peak wind during the period, 38 knots at 0335Z,
wasn’t credited to a thunderstorm because of the ALDARS outage.
Stillwater, Oklahoma:
SPECI KSWO 290532Z AUTO 35009KT 7SM RA FEW008 BKN085 OVC110
12/11 A2973 RMK AO2 P0006 T01170106 TSNO
METAR KSWO 290453Z AUTO 34010G19KT 10SM -RA OVC100 12/11
A2973 RMK AO2 PK WND 32028/0406 WSHFT 0354 PRESRR
SLP064 P0010 T01170106 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290427Z AUTO 35015G24KT 7SM RA SCT010 BKN075 OVC090
12/11 A2971 RMK AO2 PK WND 32028/0406 WSHFT 0354
P0008 T01170106 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290408Z AUTO 32015G28KT 7SM -RA BKN008 BKN011
OVC040 13/12 A2972 RMK AO2 PK WND 32028/0406 WSHFT
0354 P0004 T01280117 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290403Z AUTO 30017G24KT 5SM RA BR SCT008 BKN011
OVC032 13/13 A2971 RMK AO2 P0004 T01330128 TSNO
METAR KSWO 290353Z AUTO 24008KT 3SM +RA BR FEW008 SCT013
OVC027 13/13 A2970 RMK AO2 PK WND 22040/0326 WSHFT
0320 TSE02B06 SLP053 P0052 T01330128 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290347Z AUTO 21006KT 3SM +RA BR FEW006 BKN027
OVC034 13/13 A2972 RMK AO2 PK WND 22040/0326 WSHFT
0320 TSE02B06 P0048 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290341Z AUTO 21012KT 1 1/4SM VCTS +RA BR SCT022
OVC029 13/13 A2974 RMK AO2 PK WND 22040/0326 WSHFT
0320 LTG DSNT N AND S TSE02B06 PRESRR P0044 T01330128
SPECI KSWO 290335Z AUTO 21016G40KT 3/4SM +RA BR SCT018 OVC029
13/12 A2973 RMK AO2 PK WND 22040/0326 WSHFT 0320
TSE02B06 P0035 T01330122 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290330Z AUTO 21024G40KT 1 3/4SM -RA BR FEW016
OVC029 14/13 A2973 RMK AO2 PK WND 22040/0326 WSHFT
0316 TSE02B06 PRESRR P0015 T01440128 TSNO
SPECI KSWO 290325Z AUTO 11017G23KT 080V190 6SM -RA BR OVC028
15/13 A2965 RMK AO2 TSE02B06 P0002 T01500128 TSNO
At Stillwater, the outage began at 0325Z. ALDARS appeared to have returned to service for the 0341Z SPECI, which contained
VCTS instead of TSNO. But the hazard of the 40 knot wind gust, occurred during a thunderstorm. Lightning data showed a bolt
striking just NE of the end of runway 4/22 at 0322Z, 4 minutes before the peak gust. Lightning struck very close to runway 17/35
at 0330Z; but instead of TS in the 0330Z SPECI, TSNO appeared in remarks. That was at 10:30 p.m. CDT, so there still could
have been some pilots in the area needing KSWO data.
Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport, Tulsa, Oklahoma:
METAR KRVS 290353Z 13015G22KT 10SM FEW070 SCT085 OVC110 21/16
A2971 RMK AO2 RAE09 SLP067 P0000 T02110156
METAR KRVS 290453Z 14013G25KT 10SM SCT090 BKN110 21/15 A2969
RMK AO2 PK WND 13028/0430 SLP059 T02060150
METAR KRVS 290553Z VRB05KT 10SM -RA FEW024 OVC041 19/16 A2975
RMK AO2 RAB28 PRESRR SLP079 P0004 60007 T01940161
10222 20194 402330072 53005
This site did not report TSNO in its observations between 0400-0600Z. However, a lightning map reveals that both TS and VCTS
criteria were met during that time period:
7 lightning strikes met TS criteria, while 8 met VCTS criteria. A thunderstorm went unreported at KRVS, due to the ALDARS outage.
Abilene, Texas:
METAR KABI 290252Z 15022G31KT 10SM CLR 22/15 A2955 RMK AO2
PK WND 16037/0209 PRESRR SLP986 T02220150 $
SPECI KABI 290327Z 27018G43KT 10SM FEW040 BKN050 17/10 A2973
RMK AO2 PK WND 27043/0320 WSHFT 0307 PRESRR T01670100 $
SPECI KABI 290334Z 27028G39KT 10SM -RA SCT042 BKN050 16/11
A2973 RMK AO2 PK WND 27043/0320 WSHFT 0314 RAB34
P0000 T01560106 $
METAR KABI 290352Z 32017G24KT 6SM RA BR FEW037 BKN060 OVC090
13/12 A2971 RMK AO2 PK WND 27043/0320 WSHFT 0314
RAB34 SLP043 P0005 T01280122 $
METAR KABI 290452Z 20005KT 8SM -RA SCT009 SCT014 OVC070 13/13
A2978 RMK AO2 SLP069 P0006 T01330133 $
METAR KABI 290552Z 11005KT 6SM RA BR OVC080 13/13 A2977 RMK
AO2 SLP063 P0020 60031 T01330133 10239 20128 402440128
50068 $
Was ALDARS in service for Abilene during that time? TSNO did not appear in remarks. The wind gusts to 43 knots could have
been the result of a thunderstorm. So was there any lightning within 10 miles of the airport, from 0300-0600Z? Yes:
There was enough lightning around Abilene, to warrant both TS and VCTS getting reported. But there weren’t any thunderstorms
reported by KABI during that time. Apparently, ALDARS was out of service, without letting users know it was out of service by
including TSNO in remarks!
Denton, Texas:
SPECI KDTO 290736Z AUTO 27040G54KT 1 1/2SM VCTS +RA BR FEW014
BKN027 OVC046 16/15 A2963 RMK AO2 PK WND 27054/0735
WSHFT 0722 LTG DSNT S-NW RAB06 P0013 T01610150
METAR KDTO 290553Z AUTO 14022G29KT 10SM CLR 22/17 A2966 RMK
AO2 PK WND 13029/0553 SLP034 T02220167 10256 20222
402560139 58006 TSNO
METAR KDTO 290453Z AUTO 14016G24KT 10SM SCT085 23/16 A2968
RMK AO2 PK WND 14030/0429 SLP042 T02280156 TSNO
METAR KDTO 290353Z AUTO 14023G33KT 10SM OVC090 24/16 A2967
RMK AO2 PK WND 14033/0352 SLP039 T02440156 TSNO
It’s a good thing the ALDARS outage was over by the time the line of severe thunderstorms reached Denton!
Midland, Texas:
METAR KMAF 290553Z AUTO 26010KT 10SM CLR 13/02 A2975 RMK
AO2 SLP036 60003 T01330022 10194 20128 403000128
51020 TSNO
METAR KMAF 290453Z AUTO 26008KT 10SM CLR 14/02 A2975 RMK
AO2 SLP037 T01440022 TSNO
TSNO appeared in 2 METARs, representing the time of the ALDARS outage. The line of severe thunderstorms was well to the
east of Midland by then.
San Angelo, Texas:
METAR KSJT 290551Z 24007KT 10SM CLR 13/ A2973 RMK AO2 RAE0456
SLP051 P0000 60021 T0133 10250 20133 402780133 51031 $
METAR KSJT 290451Z 05013G21KT 10SM -RA BKN080 OVC100 14/
A2964 RMK AO2 WSHFT 0417 PRESFR SLP019 P0014 T0139 $
SPECI KSJT 290437Z 07010KT 8SM -RA OVC075 14/ A2971 RMK AO2
WSHFT 0417 PRESFR P0013 T0139 $
METAR KSJT 290351Z 29011G21KT 5SM RA FEW014 OVC075 14/ A2975
RMK AO2 PK WND 30029/0315 RAE0258B18 SLP061 P0006
T0144 $
SPECI KSJT 290325Z 28017G29KT 10SM -RA BKN070 OVC085 15/11
A2967 RMK AO2 PK WND 30029/0315 RAE0258B18 PRESRR
P0000 T01500111
SPECI KSJT 290310Z 31015KT 10SM VCTS OVC060 15/11 A2964 RMK
AO2 PK WND 31028/0256 LTG DSNT ALQDS RAE0258 P0000
T01500106
Like Abilene, there didn’t seem to be a problem at San Angelo (KSJT), since TSNO did not appear in remarks. From the above
reports, it appeared that a VCTS ended by 0325Z, and no further lightning was noted. But was that accurate? No:
While there were 6 lightning strikes that met TS criteria, the strike at 0333Z west of the airport, didn’t miss the terminal by much.
All that lightning occurred during the ALDARS outage- even though ASOS at KSJT did not report TSNO! So several sites had an
outage, with some reporting TSNO, and others not reporting the outage by including TSNO. How can that be explained, other
than ALDARS is unreliable and subject to glitches?
Wichita Falls, Texas:
METAR KSPS 290352Z 04017KT 10SM FEW049 BKN060 OVC075 17/13
A2963 RMK AO2 TSB14E25 SLP027 T01670133
While this site did not have an extended ALDARS outage, it appears the ALDARS link got cut off at 0325Z. A thunderstorm that began
at 0314Z, could not have ended before 0329Z- but ASOS recorded an 11-minute thunderstorm.
The regional ALDARS outage, affected an area form western Texas, through most of Oklahoma and Kansas; as far north as Nebraska,
as far east as Missouri, and as far west as Colorado and New Mexico. This was the lightning display during the outage period:
When there is a large ALDARS outage, in the same time and space where there were 13,207 lightning strikes, that's a problem!
Late edit: the outage was not confined to the southern Great Plains:
New Bern, North Carolina:
METAR KEWN 290554Z AUTO 00000KT 1/4SM FG VV001 12/12 A2992
RMK AO2 SLP132 T01220122 10178 20122 58003 TSNO
METAR KEWN 290454Z AUTO 00000KT 1/4SM FG VV001 14/14 A2993
RMK AO2 SLP134 T01390139 402330133 TSNO
METAR KEWN 290354Z AUTO 00000KT 1/4SM FG VV002 14/14 A2993
RMK AO2 SLP135 T01440144 TSNO
SPECI KEWN 290342Z AUTO 00000KT 1/4SM FG VV002 14/14 A2993
RMK AO2 T01390139 TSNO
Lynchburg, Virginia:
METAR KLYH 290554Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/09 A3000 RMK
AO2 SLP154 T01170089 10200 20111 50005 TSNO
METAR KLYH 290454Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/09 A3000 RMK
AO2 SLP154 T01330094 402390117 TSNO
METAR KLYH 290354Z AUTO 30003KT 10SM FEW095 14/09 A2999 RMK
AO2 SLP151 T01440094 TSNO
Everett, Washington:METAR KPAE 290553Z AUTO 14014G23KT 10SM OVC035 10/04 A3013
RMK AO2 PK WND 15033/0508 SLP206 T01000044 10106
20094 58007
TSNOMETAR KPAE 290453Z AUTO 14016G29KT 10SM OVC036 10/04 A3014
RMK AO2 PK WND 15032/0440 SLP209 T01000044
TSNOMETAR KPAE 290353Z AUTO 14016G24KT 10SM OVC085 09/06 A3015
RMK AO2 PK WND 15032/0331 SLP211 T00940061
TSNO Green Bay, Wisconsin:METAR KGRB 290553Z AUTO 03003KT 10SM CLR 01/01 A3026 RMK
AO2 SLP253 T00110011 10083 20011 401001006 50006
TSNOMETAR KGRB 290453Z AUTO 04005KT 10SM CLR 02/01 A3027 RMK
AO2 SLP255 T00170006
TSNO So, one or more of the comm circuits between ADAS and various ASOS sites, was down.