Can't answer your question fully but the 10k vis and 'fog patches' assessment would be made by the met man (at the larger airports where one is available).
I have noticed that the automatic systems which determine RVR (runway visual range) are notoriously unreliable. I have been flying at night with low visibility procedures in force when I have been able to see the airport from many miles away. Furthermore, throughout the whole approach, the runway has been in view perfectly throughout. This has been reported to ATC who seem to be slaves to the automatic system.
This has the potential for commercial disaster as crews make an assessment of the suitability of an airport based on ATIS information. They may decide to divert at great cost rather than risk a go-around from a much lower altitude.