Graphical Forecasts for Aviation

Visiting the Aviation Weather Center Website

  • Big picture view of the U.S. showing current weather hazards

  • Includes PIREPs, SIGMETs, and IFR conditions

Launch the interactive Graphical Forecasts for Aviation map

  • Map shows current conditions by default including radar imagery, airport flight categories, PIREPS and SIGMETS

Using the GFA map

  1. Review METAR Data visually depicted on the map

  • Shows current temp, pressure, cloud coverage, flight category, visibility, and surface winds

  • Click on any report for more detailed info

  1. Use the time slider at the bottom to review the reports over past 18 hours

  • Can help assess weather trends over time

  1. Utilize the Flight Path Function

  • Select the Flight Path icon from the top right menu

  • Enter route and set the highest relevant altitude

  • Select the "Cross-Section" option to view a profile of your flight, including temperature, wind speed, and turbulence

  • Draw your flight path on the map using the "Draw Path" option

  • Zoom in or out on specific flight segments using the "+" and "-" buttons or your mouse scroll wheel

  • Use the compass icon to quickly zoom to your current location

  1. Customize the map layers

  • Select the layers option from the menu to choose which weather products are displayed

  • Use the "Map Options" button for additional customizations

→ Change the basemap to a VFR or IFR chart

  1. Referring to the Legend

  • Located at the bottom right corner of the map

  • Displays a visual legend explaining weather symbols and graphics currently selected

Navigating the Weather Menu

  1. Find the main menu items at the top left: Weather, Products, Tools, and Connect

  • Focus on the Weather menu for accessing various forecast products

  1. Understand the options under the Weather menu

→ Observations: Shows current weather observations as default

→ Ceiling and Visibility: Displays forecasts of ceilings and visibilities

  • Use "Flight Categories" view for a big picture of VFR and IFR conditions.

  • Use "Active Layers" to focus on Ceiling or Visibility specifically.

  • Verify the time slider matches your proposed flight time.

  • Useful for IFR pilots to determine if an alternate airport is required when a TAF is unavailable.

→ Clouds: Reviews forecast cloud coverage, tops, and bases.

  • Select "Cloud Cover", "Top", or "Base" from "Active Layers"

  • "Tops" view helps in selecting an altitude to get above clouds

  • Note: Based on the Rapid Refresh (RAP) model; predictions may struggle with convection, so use with caution

→ Precipitation: Displays weather hazards for a given time.

  • Data comes from the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD), a human-generated forecast

→ Thunderstorms: Shows forecast coverage of thunderstorms.

  • Also uses data from NDFD

→ Winds: Shows wind forecasts at various altitudes.

  • Use the vertical slider on the left to select the altitude relevant to your flight

  • "Max" setting displays the maximum wind speed sampled across all altitudes

→ Turbulence: Provides forecasts of turbulence intensity at selected altitudes.

  • Based on the eddy dissipation rate

→ Icing: Displays icing severity forecasts

  • Indicates how intense icing would be if encountered at that altitude.

  • It shows the severity, not the probability of icing.