Weather

Weather Information

As all pilots know, it is vitally important to always receive a thorough weather briefing before every flight. The Commonwealth of Virginia has a strong commitment to make that process as convenient and accurate as possible. Programs have been implemented by the Department to enhance weather information procurement and gathering.

WeatherMation

Weathermation was discontinued effective December 31, 2007.

ASOS and AWOS

Automated Surface Observation Systems and Automated Weather Observation Systems measure existing airport weather conditions and provide this information to the user via aircraft radio, telephone, and, in some cases, through satellite uplink. Currently, there are thirty (30) Virginia-based AWOS III units and ten (10) ASOS units in service in the Commonwealth.

Virginia Surface Weather Observation Stations - AWOS/ASOS Stations
FAA ASOS Home Page
NWS ASOS Home Page
ASOS Operations and Monitoring Center
Current Weather Conditions for Virginia

Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)

Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) and Broadcast services provide pilots no fee, real-time weather, traffic, and non-control aeronautical information, such as Notices to Airmen ((NOTAMS).

National Weather Service/NOAA

WFO Wakefield Virginia Home Page - National Weather Service Office
NOAA Aviation Weather
National Weather Service Current Weather Conditions For Virginia

Introduction to METAR/TAF

The United States converted airport surface observations and airport terminal weather forecasts to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) formats during 1996.

Key to Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and Aviation Routine Weather Report (Metar)

Aviation Digital Data Service

An experimental digital data program which offers aviation weather data and forecasts, the Aviation Digital Data Service is a project of the National Weather Service and Federal Aviation Administration. It contains current TAR and METAR reports. Although the information contained is provided directly from the National Weather Service, it is not currently approved for flight planning purposes.