Observations
Accurate, timely observations are the foundation of every safe and efficient aviation operation. In aeronautical meteorology, they are not just data points — they are decision‑making tools that directly influence flight safety, airport operations, and strategic planning.
Surface observations, delivered via local routine and special reports plus METAR and SPECI code forms, give flight crew, air traffic services and airport operators a precise understanding of real‑time conditions such as wind, visibility, cloud base and present weather. These observations guide essential operational choices, from runway selection to approach minima, and ensure that flight crew have the situational awareness they need for safe arrivals and departures.
Equally important are upper‑air and aircraft-based observations. Aircraft‑based systems such as AMDAR (aircraft meteorological data relay) provide high‑resolution data on temperature, wind and humidity, filling gaps in the global observing network — especially over oceans and remote continental regions. These observations are proven to significantly enhance short‑range forecasting and nowcasting and improve the detection and prediction of aviation hazards such as turbulence, icing and convection.
Together, ground-based, in-situ airborne and satellite-based observations form a backbone of aeronautical meteorology. Without them, forecasts would be less reliable, operational risk would increase, and the high safety standards expected across global aviation could not be maintained.
Observational foundations underpin every analysis, forecast and operational recommendation — ensuring that clients receive insight grounded in the most accurate and relevant data available.
