It’s been a pretty smooth flight so far, but out of the haze, you see the emerging outline of a huge towering cumulus. Oh, wonderful—an afternoon thunderstorm in your way.
ATC Sees Weather, too
Key Takeaways:
- ATC radar primarily displays precipitation; TRACON controllers receive near real-time updates from their own radar, while Center controllers use NEXRAD data which has a significant time lag (several minutes).
- Controllers do not see other weather factors like clouds, lightning, turbulence, or the vertical extent of precipitation, and automated surface reports (ASOS/METARs) can sometimes be inaccurate.
- Pilot Reports (PIREPs) are crucial for providing accurate, real-time, firsthand weather information, helping to verify automated data, overcome system lag, and enhance safety for all aircraft.
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