Accurate and timely meteorological information is essential for safe and efficient flight operations. This information comes from a variety of interconnected systems, including surface observations from weather stations and automated systems, upper-air data from radiosondes and aircraft reports, radar imagery depicting precipitation and wind, satellite imagery providing a global view of weather systems, and sophisticated numerical weather prediction models. These diverse data streams are integrated and analyzed to generate forecasts, warnings, and other weather products tailored for aviation.
Reliable weather information allows pilots and dispatchers to make informed decisions about flight routes, altitudes, and timings. It helps mitigate the risks associated with hazardous weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, turbulence, icing, and low visibility. Historically, pilots relied heavily on limited surface observations and their own visual assessments. Advances in technology have revolutionized weather forecasting and dissemination, dramatically enhancing flight safety and enabling more efficient flight planning. This evolution continues to drive improvements in predictability and the delivery of targeted aviation weather information.
