Which system mode continually senses and measures the atmosphere for wind, visibility, precipitation, cloud height, sky cover, temperature, dew point, altimeter, and lightning, and formats automated remarks?

• A. Automated mode
• B. Manual mode
• C. Semi-automatic
• D. Hybrid mode

Answer: (A)

Automated mode is the one that continuously samples all the atmospheric sensors and then formats the weather remarks automatically. It uses instruments to measure wind, visibility, precipitation, cloud height and sky cover, temperature, dew point, and the altimeter setting, plus lightning detection. All of these readings are collected in real time and transformed into automated observations without needing a person to read the instruments or transcribe the data. That’s why this mode is described as continually sensing and measuring and producing automated remarks.

Manual mode would rely on a human observer to read instruments and report the weather. Semi-automatic and hybrid modes imply some combination or involvement of human input, but not full automatic generation of remarks.