Ask Anthony - Are airport temperatures accurate?

Thanks for the question, Gene! I’ve actually gotten this one a few times before, so it’s the perfect opportunity to clear things up.

So, why are NOAA weather stations set up near airports? Well, you don’t have to be a pilot to understand how critical it is to know exactly what the weather is doing when planes are taking off or landing. Imagine trying to land a jet and suddenly running into a strong microburst wind without warning, yeah, not a situation anyone wants.

That’s why airports are the go-to locations for official weather recording stations. They provide the most reliable, real-time data for pilots, air traffic controllers, and, as a bonus, the rest of us too. For Houston, the official station is at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). I’ve circled its exact location on the map be