After three years in the making, the next addition to Colorado's network of Mountain Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) is now underway. Crews recently began pouring the concrete foundations and constructed the steel stanchions where the new Dakota Hill AWOS (C99) equipment will call its home. 

The Dakota Hill AWOS will be situated at 10,929' MSL on the summit of Dakota Hill, which is located approximately five miles north-northeast of Central City, and 7 miles east of Rollins Pass. Along with the Berthoud Pass/Mines Peak AWOS (0CO), the Dakota Hill AWOS will give pilots certified weather information when flying over the Continental Divide just west of Denver, Colorado. 

With the so many different variables at stake, it's difficult to say exactly when the Dakota Hill AWOS will be fully functional. Nevertheless, crews are working hard to get this AWOS equipment installed before the major mountain snowstorms begin.

The Colorado Division of Aeronautics currently funds and administers a network of 12 AWOS installations located high in the Colorado Rockies. The Dakota Hill AWOS will be the 13th unit in Colorado's network of high-mountain weather reporting systems. 

Stay tuned for more updates on the installation progress of the Dakota Hill AWOS. We appreciate your patience while we continue working to get this AWOS up and running for the pilots who need this weather information most.