Weather Check: How To Plan Your Route Around Severe Weather

Here's how to keep track of a storm's movement and its impact on airport operations with a few keystrokes.

Friday, September 30, 2022 at 06:11 PM ET

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If you are trying to determine the path of a storm, the Aviation Weather Center is a helpful resource. [Courtesy: National Weather Service]

Key Takeaways:

The NOAA Aviation Weather Center (aviationweather.gov) provides a free and accessible interactive map for global aviation weather information.
Users can easily retrieve Terminal Area Forecasts (TAFs) and Meteorological Aerodrome Reports (METARs) for airports by typing "@" followed by a state's two-letter postal code.
The site offers both raw and decoded formats for weather reports, with the decoded option making it easier for those unfamiliar with aviation acronyms.
METARs provide hourly updates on current weather conditions within an airport's vicinity, with "SPECI" indicating rapidly changing weather.

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“The airports are closed in South Carolina.” This text message got my attention Friday morning. I have been watching Hurricane Ian’s path of destruction with a keen eye to its impact on aviation, as I have several airport “sons and daughters” who live and work on the East Coast in areas prone to hurricanes.

When there is a hurricane or severe weather of any sort, aviation weather websites get a work out.