La Grange Fixing National Weather Service Data Issues

Several local weather buffs noticed recently that Austin television news stations haven’t been reporting weather information from the Fayette Regional Air Center in La Grange.

Moreover, weather information from the airport has also been missing from the National Weather Service website. Airport manager Debra Maddox told the Record last week that the airport is upgrading its weather observation equipment. Most of the equipment was installed in September. Maddox said the contractor still needs to complete a few tasks before the project is complete.

“We’re replacing the weather equipment and it’s still in test mode,” Maddox said. “The gentleman contracted to finish the installation is supposed to come out the Monday or Tuesday after Thanksgiving.”

Maddox said aircraft pilots are able to access weather information from the new equipment during flight.

“It’s functioning as far as pilots are concerned,” Maddox said.

She said the public can also access the weather information online by going to https://k3t5. awos.live/local-weather.

Maddox said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has to sign off on the new equipment before the airport can publish its weather information to the National Weather Service, where many media outlets obtain local weather data.

“They’re almost done,” Maddox said.