Welcome to the Aviation Weather Center
Overview
AviationWeather.gov has a new look! Some of the goals of the new website design were to provide a consistent page layout throughout, reduce duplication and limit the number of pages, and achieve mobile responsiveness. The website is organized by utilizing the main page to branch to an interactive map called the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA), various impacts dashboards, a data and imagery page, and a handful of other pages that provide weather information for the world airspace system. Check out the webinar tutorial video to the left to get a full overview of the website.
Main Page
The main page utilizes the template visible on all pages of AviationWeather.gov. A header at the top guides the user through the website, and a footer at the bottom provides links to USA.gov and NOAA pages. There is a "Top News" bar along the top to provide details on any new updates to the website or important information for the user. The large static image in the center of the screen shows current aviation weather conditions utilizing AWC products. The smaller images provide links to additional data or tools within AviationWeather.gov. Get the latest station data by entering an airport identifier at the bottom.
Main Page Tutorial
Navigation Bar
The Navigation Bar along the top is consistent throughout each page on AviationWeather.gov and can help the user navigate through different parts of the webpage. Dropdowns on the left side of the navigation bar will load a new location on the site, and the icons on the left will provide additional support or pop-ups to assist in navigation or support questions. The Aviation Weather Center or AWC on mobile devices will always link back to the main page.
Weather
The weather dropdown menu will direct the user to the the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) interactive map. Once viewing the GFA, the user can select other parameters and adjust settings on the map. For more information on the GFA, please view the GFA Help page.
Products
The products dropdown menu leads to forecaster produced products.
SIGMET: View SIGMETs alone within GFA.
G-AIRMET: View G-AIRMETs alone within GFA.
Center Weather Adv: View Center Weather Advisories alone within GFA.
Prog Charts: View the Weather Prediction Center produced fronts and NDFD precipitation grids with GFA.
TAF map: View TAFs alone within GFA.
Forecast Discussions: View the aviation data from forecast discussions produced at Weather Forecast Offices.
METAR/TAF/PIREP data: Print out unformatted data for a certain location.
ITWS data: View airport winds through the Integrated Terminal Weather System.
WAFS grids: Redirect to the NWS display of World Area Forecast System (WAFS) grids. The WAFS Internet File System (WIFS) can be accessed here. NOTE: An account is required to access WIFS data.
TFM Convective Forecasts: Redirect to the convective forecast page to view the Traffic Flow Management (TFM) Convective Forecast (TCF), extended TCF (eTCF), and the Extended Convective Forecast Product (ECFP). More information on the TFM forecasts can be found by clicking here or using the question mark icon within the TFM forecast page.
Tools
The tools dropdown menu leads to links within AviationWeather.gov that provide additional data and aviation decision support.
Terminal Weather dashboard: Redirect to the Terminal Weather Dashboard, which is a forecasted time series display of weather conditions and color coded impacts. To view observation data, use the METAR board.
Winter Weather Dashboard: Redirect to the Winter Weather Dashboard to view potential winter weather impacts to core airports.
Traffic Flow Management Portal: Access quick links to additional aviation weather information.
Decision support imagery: Redirect to the decision support imagery to gain access to static graphics.
Fax charts: View and download static wind and temperature aloft fax charts, and Canadian Graphical Area Forecasts.
Archive View: Load the page exactly as it was up to two weeks in the past.
Data API: Redirect to the data API to view examples of how to gain access to AWC data quickly and easily.
Status: View the status of data on AvationWeather.gov to confirm any outages or late data.
Submit a PIREP: Open a pop-up window to fill out a quick and easy form for PIREP submission. To register for an account click on the envelope at the top right corner and fill out the contact us form with the subject PIREP Access. Once you have gained permission, fill out the form under Submit a PIREP.
NOTE: You must be signed in to submit PIREPs.
Connect
The connect dropdown menu provides links to learn more about AWC through informational dialogs and social media.
About us: Open a pop-up to learn more about AWC, NOAA, and our mission.
Twitter: Find us on Twitter.
Facebook: Find us on Facebook.
YouTube: Watch tutorial videos and research videos on our Youtube page.
Aviation Weather Testbed: Redirect to our testbed page to learn about current research and experiments.
Icons
The envelope icon on the right will open a pop-up to provide us with feedback or ask a question. Fill out the form and select SUBMIT at the bottom, our developers will get back to you as soon as possible.
The person icon will open a pop-up to sign-in to your account; only a few pages require an account. Use the dark mode toggle to switch between dark and light mode.
And lastly, the question mark will redirect you to the respective help page for the page you are viewing. For more help pages, click the FAQ tab on the help page you are on.
Top News
The welcome bar and top news bar will scroll through important information and updates to changes on the website. All new updates and changes will be listed here.
Current Conditions
The large image on the screen provides current AWC produced SIGMETs, submitted PIREPs, and IFR flight category dots. To view the observations more closely, add more information zoom and pan click on the image and utilize the GFA interactive map.
Links to additional data
The images to the right of the current conditions on a desktop, or below the current conditions on a mobile device provide links to AWC flagship products. Click on the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation card to link directly to the GFA. You can modify the view or select alternative weather products from within the interactive view. Click the Decision Support Service (DSS) card to view our static imagery.
Station Data
Enter a 4 character station identifier into the ID box and select the data to view. Once the METAR selections are set, click Go. The METAR data and TAF for the airport identified will be displayed in the box.
Footer
The footer, found on all pages except the full page interactive maps, provides links to additional Department of Commerce, National Weather Service, and USA.gov information.
About AWC
The Aviation Weather Center (AWC) located in Kansas City, Missouri, issues warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous weather for aviation. Staffed by 76 personnel, the center develops warnings of hazardous weather for aircraft in flight and forecasts of weather conditions for the next two to four days that will impact both domestic and international aviation. The Center leads the collaborative effort to develop a forecast of expected convective events for the entire country every 2 hours used by FAA to manage aviation traffic flows across the country.
The AWC also maintains a six-person unit assigned to the FAA National Command Center located in Warrenton, VA that provides impact-based decision support services (IDSS) directly to FAA National Operations Managers (NOMs). Additionally, the AWC is one of two global World Area Forecast Centers designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and hosts the NWS Aviation Weather Testbed (AWT) which acts as a catalyst to accelerate aviation weather research into sustained and supportable operations.
Click here to learn more about the history of AWC.
Our Mission
The Aviation Weather Center delivers consistent, timely and accurate weather information for the world airspace system. We are a team of highly skilled people dedicated to working with customers and partners to enhance safe and efficient flight.
Our Vision
To be the trusted authority and leading innovator for aviation weather information.
Our Quality Policy
The AWC delivers consistent, timely and accurate weather information for the world airspace system. This is accomplished through adherence to applicable requirements by a team of highly skilled people who are committed to continually improving the AWC’s quality management system.
About NCEP
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration created the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to take advantage of improving technology and better serve the public and modernized National Weather Service. The NCEP’s goal is to protect life and property, as well as mitigate economic loss, by providing accurate forecasts and forecast guidance products to weather service field offices.
The NCEP prepares and makes available national forecasts and outlooks of weather and climate. Meteorologists currently generate weather forecasts for three to five days, soon to extend to seven days. Climate predictions are made for two weeks out to a year.
Nine national centers comprise the NCEP:
- Aviation Weather Center
- Climate Prediction Center
- Environmental Modeling Center
- NCEP Central Operations
- National Hurricane Center
- Ocean Prediction Center
- Storm Prediction Center
- Space Weather Prediction Center
- Weather Prediction Center
The NCEP was established in 1958 as the National Meteorological Center. Since the center’s beginning, operational weather forecasting has transformed from an infant discipline into a mature science.
Visiting AWC
The Aviation Weather Center is located about 3 miles southeast of the Kansas City International Airport. It is co-located with the NWS Central Regional Headquarters and the NWS Training Center.
Address:
7220 NW 101st Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64153-2371
Visiting Kansas City
Kansas City is known for its barbeque, jazz, fountains, and home to the Kansas City Chiefs. More information can be found on the city web site.
FAQ
What has changed recently?
The entire site has been redesigned so almost everything is new. For information about the most recent updates, please see the change log.
How often do you update the website?
We fix critical bugs as soon as possible, and we deploy functional upgrades regularly. Please let us know if you find something that isn’t working.
Why is my URL link not working?
As part of the upgrade to the site, some pages were consolidated and some URL's have changed. Check out the link conversions to find what you are looking for. If you are still unable to find the information you are looking for, submit a question using the envelope in the top right.
Why can't I log in to my account?
Most features of AviationWeather.gov do not require an account. If you are a pilot that previously had an account to submit PIREPs, please log in with your old username and password and you will be asked to reset your password the first time you log in. If you recently signed up for a new account, please check your email (including spam folders) for a confirmation email and follow the steps listed in the email. If you are still unable to log in after following the steps in the confirmation email, please contact us for additional information.
Where is the METAR page?
The interactive Graphical Forecasts for Aviation observation tab displays METARs along with other current data including surface fronts and radar imagery. To view METARs alone, click on the Layers button at the top right corner of the map and deselect items you do not wish to view. Decoded METARs can be displayed by enabling the "decoded METARs" option in the Map Options under the gear icon on GFA.
Raw METAR data can be displayed by selecting the Products dropdown and selecting METAR data.
Where is the Satellite/Radar page?
Satellite and radar imagery are available on the observations tab of the interactive Graphical Forecasts for Aviation, that displays surface observations, imagery, fronts, and more in one place. Satellite imagery is an optional layer available from the layer selector in the upper right corner of the map. To display satellite or radar imagery alone, deselect items on the layer selector to simplify the display.
How can I submit PIREPs?
Sign up for an account on our registration page, select PIREP Submit Access, and be sure to include your airmen’s certificate number or affiliation with an airline, flight school, government or military organization for validation purposes to streamline the process. Accounts are validated via the FAA Airmen Inquiry.
Then watch your email in order to verify your address and then confirming your account. Once you have an account and are logged in, select "Submit a PIREP" from the Tools dropdown and fill out the form. For more information on PIREP submit, use the link at the bottom, or click here.
How do I access the Flight Path Tool?
The flight path tool is now embedded into the interactive Graphical Forecasts for Aviation map. Click on the route button along the right side of the map to open the display. Enter the airports to navigate, and select the product you wish to display from the dropdown. Watch a video on how to use the cross sections here.
Where is the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) tool?
The HEMS tool has been integrated into the interactive Graphical Forecasts for Aviation. Click on the helicopter button in the upper right part of the map to switch GFA from general aviation mode into low-altitude mode, which offers similar features as the HEMS tool.
What happened to ADDS?
The ADDS static graphics were phased out and replaced with the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation, which offers greater flexibility and configurability; some static graphics continue to be available for decision support. The ADDS Text Data Server has been succeeded by the Data API. Please let us know if you need assistance with the migration.
How can I display list of METARs and/of TAFs? What about decoded products?
The METAR and TAF data pages provide access to raw, tabular, and decoded output that automatically refreshes every five minutes. The page is designed for quick lookups and printability.
Where is the Text Data Server? How do I download METARs?
The Text Data Server was discontinued and has been replaced by the Data API. The new data offerings are more flexible and provide more data. Interfaces designed for greater compatibility with the Data Server to ease the transition as well as cache files to retrieve many reports at once are also available.