1. Introduction to Weather Briefings
A proper weather briefing is the foundation of safe flight planning. While regulations require pilots to "become familiar with all available information concerning that flight," how you gather and interpret that information determines whether you'll have an uneventful flight or find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Weather briefings provide critical information including:
- Current and forecast weather conditions
- Winds aloft and turbulence forecasts
- AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and convective activity
- NOTAMs affecting your route and airports
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
- Pilot reports (PIREPs) from other aircraft
Regulatory Note
14 CFR 91.103 requires pilots to become familiar with all available information concerning the flight, specifically including weather reports and forecasts. A proper preflight briefing fulfills this requirement and provides documentation that you did your due diligence.
2. Types of Briefings
There are three standard types of weather briefings, each serving a specific purpose:
Standard Briefing
The most complete briefing. Request this when you haven't received a previous briefing or haven't obtained preliminary weather information. Includes all available weather data for your route and time of flight.
Abbreviated Briefing
Request this to supplement a previous briefing or update specific items. Tell the briefer what information you already have and what you need updated. Useful when weather is changing or time has passed since your last briefing.
Outlook Briefing
For planning purposes when departure is 6 or more hours away. Provides general forecast information to help with preliminary planning. Follow up with a standard briefing closer to departure time.
3. Where to Get a Briefing
Several resources are available for obtaining weather briefings:
Official FAA Sources
| Source | Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1800wxbrief.com | Website | Complete online briefings with documentation |
| 1-800-WX-BRIEF | Phone | Talking to a specialist for complex situations |
| Aviation Weather Center | aviationweather.gov | Graphical products, ADDS, prognostic charts |
| DUATS/DUAT | Website | Text-based briefings with flight plan filing |
EFB Applications
Electronic Flight Bag apps like ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and FlyQ provide integrated weather briefings. These are convenient but should be supplemented with official sources for complex weather situations.
Important
Using an official source (1800wxbrief.com, phone briefing) creates a record of your briefing. This documentation can be valuable if questions arise about your preflight preparation after an incident.
4. The Standard Briefing
A standard briefing is delivered in a specific order to ensure completeness:
Adverse Conditions
Hazardous weather or conditions that might influence your decision to fly: SIGMETs, AIRMETs, convective activity, icing, turbulence, low visibility.
VFR Flight Not Recommended (if applicable)
Issued when conditions along the route are below VFR minimums or marginal. This is advisory only - the decision to fly remains with the pilot.
Synopsis
Brief overview of weather systems affecting the general area: frontal positions, pressure systems, and expected movement.
Current Conditions
METARs from departure, destination, en route airports. Also includes recent PIREPs (pilot reports) along your route.
En Route Forecast
Expected conditions along your route at your proposed time of flight. Based on TAFs and area forecasts.
Destination Forecast
TAF for destination airport and expected conditions at your ETA.
Winds Aloft
Forecast winds at various altitudes for flight planning and fuel calculations.
NOTAMs
Notices affecting your airports and route: runway closures, navaid outages, obstacles, airspace restrictions.
ATC Delays
Any expected delays at airports or in the airspace system that might affect your flight.
Don't Forget TFRs!
Temporary Flight Restrictions may not be automatically included. Always specifically ask about TFRs along your route. Busting a TFR can have serious consequences including certificate action and intercept by military aircraft.
5. Interpreting the Information
Getting a briefing is only half the job - you need to understand what it means for your flight:
Key Questions to Answer
- Will the weather be VFR at departure? Check current METAR and TAF for your departure time.
- What about en route? Look at area forecasts and METARs along your route.
- Will destination be VFR at arrival? Consider your ETA and forecast conditions.
- Is there a viable alternate? Never plan without considering where you'll go if destination is unavailable.
- Are conditions improving or deteriorating? Understanding trends is critical.
Weather Products to Understand
Make sure you can interpret:
- METAR reports - current conditions
- TAF forecasts - terminal forecasts
- Flight categories - VFR, MVFR, IFR, LIFR
- Prognostic charts - surface and significant weather
- Radar imagery - convective activity
6. Making Go/No-Go Decisions
The briefing provides data - you make the decision. Consider these factors:
Personal Minimums
- What are your ceiling/visibility limits?
- What crosswind can you handle?
- Are you current and proficient?
- When did you last fly in similar conditions?
Aircraft Limitations
- Is deicing equipment available if needed?
- Can you fly at altitudes to avoid weather?
- Is the avionics capability adequate?
- What's the fuel reserve for diversions?
The Golden Rule
If the briefer says "VFR Flight Not Recommended," take it seriously. It's based on professional meteorological analysis. The safest response is usually to delay, alter your route, or cancel. Never let external pressure (passengers waiting, appointments, get-home-itis) override safety.
7. In-Flight Weather Updates
Weather doesn't stop changing once you're airborne. Stay informed:
Resources In Flight
- Flight Service: Contact on 122.2 or through RCO frequencies
- ATIS/AWOS/ASOS: Listen to automated weather at airports along route
- ATC: Controllers can provide PIREP information and basic weather
- ADS-B Weather: FIS-B provides NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs in cockpit
- XM Weather: Subscription satellite weather for detailed information
When to Get Updates
- Conditions appear different from forecast
- Every hour on longer flights
- Before descending through clouds
- When PIREPs indicate different conditions
- 30-60 minutes before arrival