Increasing Weather Observations with AIS
Transmitting real-time weather data through Automatic Information Systems
Background
AIS technology is primarily used for collision avoidance, but it also plays a vital role in transmitting safety and environmental information to mariners. Most commercial vessels are required to carry AIS under international treaties, making it one of the most reliable tools for delivering real-time weather, ice reports, and wave data to vessels operating up to 50 nautical miles offshore.
The MXAK operates the state’s largest land-based AIS network, supporting maritime domain awareness for the U.S. Coast Guard and the State of Alaska. This network includes over 135 AIS receiving stations—48 of them in the Arctic—along with 70 land-based weather stations (most co-located with AIS sites) and 16 vessel-based weather systems. These platforms provide hyperlocal environmental data such as wind speed and direction, air temperature, barometric pressure, and dew point. The systems offer critical observations in remote areas where weather data have rarely been collected, helping account for the many microclimates across Alaska.
In addition to being transmitted directly to mariners via AIS, this environmental data are also available to the public through the MXAK website, the AOOS Ocean Data Explorer and Real-Time Sensor Map, and the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) web service. The National Weather Service (NWS) receives the data directly from MXAK’s API to support marine forecasts, weather models, maritime domain awareness, and decision-making across Alaska.
Benefits
Transmitting weather data via AIS provides significant benefits across Alaska. It enhances both regional and national weather and storm surge forecasting, improving the accuracy of predictions. This system communicates vital, real-time information to over 10,000 commercial vessels operating along Alaska’s 33,000 miles of coastline. It also supports the state’s multi-billion-dollar commercial fishing industry, which includes approximately 8,900 vessels each year. Additionally, AIS help deliver timely weather updates to remote coastal communities, offering crucial support for public safety and the protection of property.
Map of Alaska showing the locations of MXAK terrestrial weather observing stations as of April 2025.
Our Role
With support from AOOS, MXAK tested and developed technology to transmit environmental data to mariners via AIS and internet access on smartphones and computers. AOOS continues to support this work through investments in weather sensors and station installations, operations and maintenance. Other funders include the MXAK, and the City and Borough of Juneau, The U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard and the Municipality of Skagway.
AOOS Contact:
Carol Janzen
janzen@aoos.org
Publications
Principal Investigators
Captain Steve White
MXAK Executive Director
Shawn Mauldin
MXAK Project Coordinator