Why are visibility measurements crucial in surface observations?

Visibility measurements are essential in surface observations because they play a critical role in assessing safety conditions for aviation and maritime activities. When visibility is reduced due to fog, rain, snow, or other atmospheric conditions, the safety of aircraft operations and navigation at sea can be severely compromised. Pilots and mariners rely on visibility data to make informed decisions regarding takeoff, landing, and navigation, ensuring that they can operate safely and effectively under varying weather conditions. In various jurisdictions, specific visibility thresholds are established to help regulate and guide operations in these industries, making visibility a key factor in both air and maritime safety protocols.

While visibility can relate to other factors such as precipitation likelihood or air pollution, its primary significance lies in its direct impact on the safety and operations in aviation and maritime domains.