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A Guide to Flight Planning Weather Resources

Use this page as a guide to weather information when planning a flight. In general, you will begin your weather planning by watching non-aviation related weather sources. About 2 days before your flight, begin using the aviation-specific resources below. By the time you call the Flight Service Station for a brief, you should know what to expect and validate that knowlege with the official weather brief. These are available resources you can use to the extent necessary. You normally won't have to use every resource.

Check out these resources:
Aviation Safety Foundation free on-line courses:

"A Pilot's Guide to Flight Service"
"Weather Wise"

FAA Publication Aviation Weather Services (FAA Advisory Circular 00-45F)

Aviation Weather Center has comprehensive weather resources from NOAA

Flight Service Stations are available at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (800-992-7433)

TIME BEFORE FLIGHT	RESOURCE	COMMENTS
7 Days	Weather.com 10-day Planner
	4-8 day Convective Outlook (AC)

48 Hours	48-hour Prognostic Chart

36 Hours	36-hour Prognostic Chart
	2-day Convective Outlook (AC)	Published 2 times/day. Depicts areas w/possible thunderstorms

24 Hours	Convective Outlook (AC)
	Terminal Aerodrome Forcasts (TAF)	Published 4 times/day, valid for 24 hours

18 Hours	Convective Outlook (AC)	Day one AC published 5 times/day
	Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
	Area Forecasts (FA)	Published 3 times/day, valid for 18 hours

12 Hours	12-hour Prognostic Chart
	Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
	Area Forecasts (FA)
	Convective Outlook (AC)	Day-one AC

< 12 Hours	Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)	Published every hour. Compare METAR to forecasts to see if weather is developing as forecast.
	Flight Service Station (FSS)	Ask for "Outlook Brief ." If weather not developing as forecast, ask FSS if an amended forecast has been issued
	ADDS	Check: convective sigmets, sigmets, airmets, center weather advisories, and pilot reports (PIREPs)

6 Hours	Flight Service Station (FSS)	Get an "Standard Brief"

Flight Planning	Winds Aloft

Before Departure	Surface Analysis Chart
	NEXRAD Radar	Radar Charts, Current Radar Images,
	Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
	Flight Service Station (FSS)	Get an "Abbreviated Brief"

In Flight	Enroute Flt Advisory Service	Call "Flight Watch" on 122.0 MHz