Automated Weather Station Market

Market Overview

The global automated weather station market is expected to grow from USD 296.73 million in the year 2019 to USD 717.5 million in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% in the forecast period.

Automated Weather Station (AWS) is an automated variant of the conventional weather station. It is a device that automatically transmits or tracks findings collected from measurement instruments. Observations of meteorological factors are transformed into electrical signals by sensors integrated into the AWS, and the signals are then analyzed and translated into weather records. The resulting information is eventually conveyed by wire or radio or deposited automatically on a recording medium.

Data loggers, sensors, and meteorological masts are cumulatively categorized as the core components of AWS. Some of the benefits of AWS include real-time data propagation, intelligent data communication, availability of solar-powered functioning, and low maintenance, among others.

Market Dynamics

Rise in Climate Change Patterns Resulting in Uncertainties Related to Rainfall

Global warming is posing a threat in recent times. From changing weather conditions that endanger food security to increasing sea levels that raise the likelihood of devastating floods, the effects of climate change are global in nature and unparalleled in magnitude. In 2017, Science Advances published a research article called ‘Human-induced changes in the distribution of rainfall,’ which gave an interference that the rain belts of the earth may shift farther north. This change is foreseen to affect water availability for many people across the globe. Further, in the wake of global warming, dangerous hurricanes that destroy the surroundings and hamper daily human lives are anticipated to crop up.

A research article published in the American Meteorological Society in the year 2018, anticipated that there will be a rise of storm frequency by 9% and 23 % globally and in the Atlantic Basin, respectively, by the end of the 21st century. Adapting to these impacts in the future would be more complicated and expensive without drastic action now. Further, the use of automated weather stations would aid in reducing the damages caused by the uncertainties, thereby fostering the growth of the market.

Increased Need for Continuous Weather Monitoring to Facilitate Disaster Management

Disaster management efforts are focused on mitigating or eliminating future dangerous casualties, providing timely and sufficient help to disaster victims, and achieving a swift and successful recovery. Traditional disaster management follows four steps.They are:

• Risk reduction
• Preparedness
• Response
• Recovery

Additionally, with the rising number of natural disasters, there is a pressing need for disaster management. According to the report named ‘Global Catastrophe Recap: First Half of 2020’ published by AON plc, there was close to a 27% rise in the disasters with approximately 163 and 207 disasters recorded in the first half of 2019 and 2020, respectively. Further, there was a 2 billion rise in the total economic losses incurred in 2020 than in 2019. Thus, continuous weather monitoring enables effective disaster management that has aided in reducing the total number of deaths caused. As stated by Our World in Data, in 2015, the total number of deaths caused were accounted for at 22,861. In 2019, the number effectively reduced to 10,809.

High Chances of Inaccuracies

The automated weather stations consist of a variety of outdoor weather sensors that communicate with an indoor display device. These weather stations are intricately aligned internally and loaded with sensors to provide a comprehensive analysis of the weather. Inaccurate results gravely impact the automated weather stations. Further, certain factors that are anticipated to give rise to inaccurate resultare:

• Inappropriate supply of power
• Fault in the internal connections
• Disturbances from the surroundings

Further, the issues may persist on account of the integration of additional sensors on the weather stations. The compatibility issues with the deployment of sensors of other brands or the utilization of cost-effective stations/sensors have also led to inaccurate results, thereby restraining the growth of the market.

Segmental Analysis

By Solution Analysis

Based on the solution, the automated weather station market is divided into hardware and software. The hardware segment caters to approximately 75% of the market share.

Automated weather stations accurately measure parameters such as temperature, pressure, and rain, with sensors. The most widely used instruments in AWSs are barometers, anemometers, hygrometers, rain gauges, and thermometers. The integrated sensors are robust, require minimal maintenance, and are easily interchangeable without the need for configuration. A large range of sensors of differing output and efficiency (and price) are ideal for use in automated data acquisition systems.

To measure weather conditions in different regions, different designs and configurations are required. For instance, the impact of vibration and mechanical shocks on the performance of pressure sensors is crucial, particularly in the case of marine AWS applications. Attributing to the susceptibility of the most readily available pressure sensors on the impact of exterior exposure, it is common practice to place the instrument inside an enclosed and thermo-stabilized small box within the CPU enclosure. For aeronautical applications or remote stations where a high degree of precision and reliability is necessary, two or more pressure sensors are built into the station. Similarly, various factors need to be considered while placing differential sensors in weather stations.

By Verticals Analysis

Based on vertical, the automated weather sensor market is divided into agriculture, aviation, transportation and logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy, military, meteorology, weather service providers, and others. The aviation segment caters to the maximum share in the market.

Automated Weather Stations (AWSs) are entirely configurable for use in aviation or as an airport weather system delivering uninterrupted, real-time updates and airport weather forecasts. These stations are mainly owned, managed, and regulated by suppliers of aviation services.

AWS comprises the AWOS and the ASOS, i.e., the Automated Weather Observing System and the Automated Surface Observing System. Typically, AWOS information includes ceiling and sky conditions, visibility, temperature, dew point, the setting of the altimeter and wind speed, gusts, and direction.

The type and intensity of precipitation (rain, snow, and freezing rain) and visibility obstacles, such as fog and haze, along with wind movements, peak winds, sudden pressure variations, and the volume of cumulative precipitation, are monitored by the ASOS. Most weather systems are the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) compliant, which increases their usability in most public and private airports and helipads.

Impact of covid-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the AWS market is expected to note a moderate downturn in growth prospects, with import-export restrictions making the cross-border trade of weather station components difficult. Lockdown restrictions and norms emphasize only essential commodities.  As weather forecast operations and meteorological services are not considered essential, operations in the sector have been disrupted, creating a pessimistic scenario for customers.

The COVID-19 outbreak has also affected data gathering frequency, which has decreased the accuracy of observational data, making weather forecast and meteorological operations challenging and less reliable. On the other hand, many countries vulnerable to natural calamities seek to gain more insight into weather forecasts to anticipate and prepare for cyclones and rainstorms, which is expected to bolster the AWS market’s growth during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is one of the areas which is most vulnerable to climate change, and potential effects are expected to become more extreme. It also accounts for almost half of the global emissions of greenhouse gases. As stated in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), scientists have predicted that by the end of this century, the sea level could rise by 65cm (2.1ft), posing an existential threat to many countries of the region. Further, this substantial increase in the sea levels is likely to amplify the floods and storms and degrade land through increased salination.

The UNDP claims that approximately 43,000 people are annually killed by storms, floods, and landslides in the Asia-Pacific region. Further concerns such as heatwaves, shifting rainfall patterns and vulnerable fires have bolstered the use of automated weather stations. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) offers vital expertise to government officials and key players to design climate change adaptation initiatives, access financing, and technology, and create the capacity to incorporate adaptation to climate change into national development policies.

A Climate Technology Network and Finance Hub is being piloted by the UN Environment and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to speed up the implementation and introduction of climate solutions and investments in environmentally sustainable innovations in 16 Asian and Pacific countries.

North America

North America is anticipated to depict the fastest growth in the automated weather stations market. Climate change is one of the critical concerns of the United States. There has been a drastic rise in the after-effects of climate change. In 2020, the cumulative fire alerts in California summed up to 20,220 VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite), which is approximately a 12 times hike in the fire alerts recoded in the year 2019.

Global warming has exerted a major impact on the Arctic Sea, which goes on to influence the Alaskan, arctic, and global climate. Similarly, there has been an average 1.7°C rise in the Canadian temperature from the year 1948, thereby leading to increased rainfall, rising sea levels, warmer waters, and ocean acidification among others. Further, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) stated that air pollution is a critical concern. The UNEP launched Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), wherein the United States and Canada, along with other member states, aims to reduce the short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).

Additionally, the steps are taken to support the Paris Agreement after the intention of the previous government to draw it has enabled the states to join forces in the U.S. Climate Alliances that represent USD 11.7 trillion economies.

Recent Developments

• In 2019, IBM acquired Red Hat. The companies together aim to accelerate innovation by offering a next-generation hybrid multi-cloud platform.
• In 2020, AIRMAR Technology Corporation announced the opening of the new office in South Africa. The company aims to manage the rapidly growing commercial and recreational business in the region through this office. 

Automated Weather Station Market Segmentation

By Solution

• Software

  • Data collection and processing software
  • Weather Monitoring software
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Others

• Hardware

  • Barometer
  • Anemometers
  • Hygrometers
  • Rain Gauges
  • Thermometers
  • Weather antennas
  • Weather radars
  • Satellite sensors
  • Others

By Verticals

• Agriculture
• Aviation
• Transportation and Logistic
• Oil and Gas
• Renewable Energy
• Military
• Meteorology
• Weather service providers
• Others

By Region

North America

• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• The U.K.
• Italy
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• The Rest of Europe

The Middle East and Africa (MEA)

• Saudi Arabia
• Egypt
• South Africa
• The Rest of MEA

Asia-Pacific

• India
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• The Rest of Asia-Pacific

Central and South America and the Caribbean

• Columbia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Peru
• Argentina
• The Rest of Central and South America and the Caribbean