VFR Cross Country Weather Planning
A very important part of preflight planning is obtaining weather information. It really pays off to start observing the weather a number of days ahead of the flight to see what the weather systems are doing. Make sure you also get the forecasts for the day of your flight and keep checking daily, noting any change in the weather as your proposed flight comes closer. It gives you an idea of the accuracy of the reports and the speed of any weather change. Compare forecasts from different sources to get the real picture. An upper level chart with jet stream is a good indicator of the direction where the pressure systems are moving.
Using this technique it is easy to see if the forecasts are reasonably correct and if the sources they use are reliable. Below we present maps from Jeppesen, 21st Operational Weather Squadron and others with forecast, current and past weather maps. Rainfall radar and satellite images are also included.
Worldwide Weather
International weather sites:
- NOAA - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration -- Detailed info on Aviation Routine Weather Report and Aerodrome Forecast Information
- NOAA's Aviation Weather Center -- US and International radar and satellite pictures
- NWS Internet Aviation Weather Source -- gives METAR TAF based on ICAO codes and Current weather observations on selected stations
- World Meteorological Organization -- The World Weather Information Service from WMO, including severe weather forecasts
- The Weather Network -- Good site about weather in Canada
- MetService New Zealand -- New Zealands National Meteorological Service
- Bureau of Meteorology Australia -- Australian Aviation Weather Service
European Weather
More European weather sites:
- KNMI -- Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute, Weather charts and also METAR and TAF. Call by phone for an official weather briefing
- KNMI Luchtvaart -- Direct link to the aviation forecast section of the KNMI
- SATREP -- European weather site. Satellite Reports just opened, great site
- European Weather Alarm -- European weather site. Reports weather alerts with colors per country
- Wetterzentrale -- German Weather site
- European Aviation Weather Center -- Good Bracknell surface, Jeppesen, JETstream charts and more; also has information about airports
- 21st Operational Weather Squadron -- Military source for European weather, public website
- European Weather Radar -- New weather radar for EUROPE. New site and has actual radar images with clouds images
- Germany's worldwide weathersite WetterOnline -- Radar, satelite and lots of weather data
- United Kingdom Met Office -- The official UK Met Office
- World Meteorological Organization Europe -- WMO's Europe subsite, see above
Weather in the Benelux
Some more links to sites for weather in the low countries:
- KNMI - (Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute, Weather charts and also METAR and TAF. Call by phone for an official weather briefing)
- KNMI Luchtvaart - (Direct link to the aviation forecast section of the KNMI)
- Buienradar - (Weather radar BENELUX: Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Very current and with 1 hour forecast!)
- MeteoConsult - (Dutch and European weather, radar and satellite)
- Weer Online - (Dutch site, some parts are only available with a subscription)
- Sky Stef - (Site dedicated to weather and aviation in Belgium, contains great images)
