Web-based weather tool created for AOPA Fly-In

The team that developed the weather product, the National Weather Service Center Weather Services Unit located at the Kansas City ARTCC, created the tool “as part of an inter-agency collaboration between the FAA and NWS to enhance integrated decision support services” within the center. Team representatives briefed AOPA and other organizations on the weather tool in advance of the AOPA Fly-In at Carbondale.

In the days leading up to the fly-in, pilots can use the tool’s menu of weather information offerings to get an overview of the region’s weather, and to get a better idea of local conditions to expect at Carbondale, which does not have its own terminal aerodrome forecast. Using the tool does not count as an official weather briefing; rather, it is designed to provide situational awareness, the team said.

Carbondale’s tower controllers will also use the tool for situational awareness, said controller Eric Jennings. Most traffic will arrive under visual flight rules, and the weather data will help controllers provide the highest safety margin possible while managing the arrivals, holding procedures, and departures.

AOPA encourages all pilots to receive a full weather briefing before their flights to and from Carbondale.