Weather Reports and Services

• Weather Pictorials include Radar Images and Sattelite Images. This allows the pilot to "get the big picture" of Highs, Lows and Fronts.
• Forecasts are of the type
• Area Forecasts - this describes the weather patterns for a wide area, covering several states. They are designated by as an "FA" type designator. They are issued 3 times a day, It includes a 12 hour forecast plus a 6 hour outlook.

This link will connect you to the current National Weather Service Current Area Forecast page.
• Terminal Forecasts (TAF) - these are forecasts made for large cities, and cover the general area around the designated city.They are issued 3 times a day, and contain a 12 hour forecast plus a 6 hour outlook.
• Winds Aloft Forecasts (FD) - these are issued every 6 hours, and give the wind speed, direction and temperature at certain designated cities at graduated altitudes. These are 3000, 6000, 9000, 12,000, 18,000, 24,000, 30,000, 34,000 and 39,000 feet altitude. The forecast generally covers a fairly wide area around a central designated city. Click here for current Winds Aloft Forecasts. They are needed to calculate Wind Correction Angle and Estimated Groundspeed for your flight.
• Actual Weather Reports
• METAR reports are the hourly terminal aviation reportsof the actual weather conditions at airports which have weather oberservation capability. The observation is usually made about 10 minutes before the hour, each hour. Therefore a report of actual weather conditions at the reported airports is available every hour. For actual current briefing information, view the National Weather Bureau's Standard Briefing Page. Caution: this is to be used for general information purposes only. You should get a formal pre-flight briefing from the FFS station in your area prior to your flight.
• Warnings and In-flight Reports
• PIREPS - Pilot Reports - These are in-flight reports made by pilots to ground stations whenever the pilot encounters conditions which are significant to other pilots operating in the area. They will usually report significant turbulence, change in weather conditions and cloud tops, etc. These are available only through the FSS station, and should be given to you, if applicable, during your Standard Weather Briefing.
• SIGMETS- Significant Meterological Reports - are issued to advise pilots of nonconvective weather considered potetially hazardous to ALL aircraft. They include notification of Severe Icing, Severe or Extreme Turbulence, Duststorms, Volcanic Ash, or Sandstorms which lowers the in-flight or surface visibility below 3 Statute Miles. Volcanic eruption and tropical storms and hurricanes are also included. They are valid for 4 hours.
• AIRMETS - These are reports of weather significant to light aircraft. They are valid for 6 hours. They indicate moderate Icing, moderate Turbulence, sustained Surface Winds of 30kt or more, ceiling less than 1000 ft. or visibility less than 3 miles. Extensive Mountain Obscurement is also included,