The Antarctic automatic weather station network: a status report

Since the International Geophysical Year in 1957, there have been multiple attempts to establish automated weather observations in the Antarctic. 2009 marks the 30th year of United States Antarctic Program's (and 29th year funded through the University of Wisconsin-Madison) Antarctic Automatic Weather Station (AWS) network. With over 63 weather stations installed around the Antarctic and several dozen additional AWS from other nations, a variety of operational and research activities have been and are being conducted using this network. A review of the network including the status of several other nations AWS programs will be presented. Examples of the research and operational work done with observations from the network will be highlighted. Roadblocks and challenges that face the network will be outlined along with possible solutions. Finally future plans for the AWS network will be discussed.