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:

NOAA's `aviationweather.gov` is a free, interactive online resource providing global aviation weather information, accessible without an account or password.
The site offers a method to access Terminal Area Forecasts (TAFs) and Meteorological Aerodrome Reports (METARs) for all reporting airports within a specific U.S. state by using its two-letter postal code.
Users can view weather reports in their raw, abbreviated format (as pilots are trained to read) or utilize a "Decode" function for simpler understanding of aviation acronyms and data.
METARs provide current, hourly weather updates for conditions within a 5-6 mile radius of an airport, with a "SPECI" tag 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.