by Mark Oliveira
With Hurricane Douglas hitting the state this week, I thought speaking about the weather would be a prudent topic. As pilots, we know how important it is to check the weather forecasts prior to every flight. Not only is it important to be checking the weather, but it is also important to make sure that you are using verified and approved resources.
The two most prominent resources I use when planning for a flight are the National Aviation Weather Center (AWC) and ForeFlight. The AWC is a highly reliable resource, with ample prognostic charts, winds and temperature aloft data, icing data, and much more.
ForeFlight, because of its ease of use and plethora of useful information, is my primary resource while checking the weather prior to flight. Utilizing the various overlays on the Maps page can give you a great idea of what to expect for your route of flight, whether that may be cloud cover, lightning strikes, pireps, precipitation, so on. Before I head out to the aircraft, I find myself switching between the enhanced satellite, color IR satellite, and radar overlays. These overlays are crucial in determining whether or not maintaining VFR on a local or cross country flight can be done, as well as getting an idea of what the conditions will be like for you while preparing for an IFR flight.
By compiling multiple resources like the METARS, TAFS, and map overlays, we are able to get a more refined idea of what to expect and help us make the right decision, whether that decision is “go or no-go.” We all know flying is fun, but we always must make sure to maintain safety while enjoying ourselves!