• Maverick Dispatch brings advanced weather intelligence into aviation dispatch for safer, more efficient operations.

• TrACR, airport capacity modeling, and taxi predictive analytics provide actionable insights on airspace convection risks, airport arrival and departure rates, and dynamic taxi time risks.

• Context-driven alerts reduce over-alerting, allowing dispatchers to focus on the most critical weather affecting their flight desks.

• The Weather Company’s Weather Forecast Services power Maverick Dispatch, offering accurate, real-time data for decision making.

Aviation fleet operations depend on accuracy and efficiency, but dispatchers are up against challenges. Disconnected data sources, outdated systems, over-alerting, and complex workflows make their jobs harder than ever. These hurdles aren’t about inconvenience — they impact airline costs, safety, and even customer satisfaction.

The solution: Maverick Dispatch. Powered by The Weather Company’s Weather Forecast Services, this innovative flight-tracking experience integrates cutting-edge weather intelligence into dispatch workflows. As a result, aviation leaders gain actionable insights without operational disruptions. To deliver these advantages, Maverick Dispatch was designed with input from global airline experts. Through this approach, it seamlessly combines advanced tools — terminal airspace convection risk (TrACR), Global Surface Movement (GSM), and airport capacity and taxi time modeling — into one unified experience. Together, these features create context-driven workflows that transform fleet operations from ground to air.

The perfect storm: aviation dispatch challenges

Dispatchers manage countless variables, from airspace congestion to rapidly changing weather, leading to information overload. Despite the availability of modern forecasting tools, they often encounter:

• Alert fatigue: Traditional systems generate a flood of notifications lacking context or priority. Dispatchers waste time filtering through irrelevant data, delaying critical decisions.

• Fragmented workflows: Dispatchers often toggle between multiple tools to access flight data, forecasts, and operational alerts. The constant switching adds complexity and cognitive load while increasing the risk of oversight.

• Outdated interfaces: Legacy platforms provide data in disjointed, hard-to-read formats. Quick decisions become difficult in critical moments when data is hard to interpret.

The ripple effects can be far-reaching. Delayed responses to weather disruptions can cascade into flight cancellations, diversions, and turbulence encounters. Maverick Dispatch tackles these problems head-on.

Cut through the noise: context-driven alerts when they matter most

Alert fatigue creates distractions rather than solutions. With Maverick Dispatch, operation teams experience a focused, context-driven alerting system inside a single dashboard for consolidation. Likewise, Condition Manager lets airlines set custom alert thresholds to fit their needs. On the ground, GSM improves aviation dispatch awareness with advanced Surface Analytics that track real-time conditions — helping dispatchers optimize taxiing, de-icing programs, and tarmac congestion during adverse weather situations.

From reactive to predictive: elevating safety and decision making

Safety in aviation hinges on accurate, timely information. Maverick Dispatch can help teams stay ahead of risks like turbulence, thunderstorms, and low-visibility through AI-powered tools like TrACR, airport capacity insights, and dynamic taxi time risks, which bring critical weather intelligence directly into dispatch workflows. A closer look:

Predictive airport intelligence visualizes weather impacts for proactive flight management.

• TrACR: Detects and displays convection risks, like thunderstorms near flight paths, enabling early intervention.
• Airport capacity insights: shows past metrics as well as forecast aircraft arrival and departure activity, helping dispatchers adjust schedules and optimize landing slots when demand is high.

For instance, during a storm at a major hub, TrACR can highlight specific flights impacted by convection risks in the terminal airspace. Irrelevant details are filtered out. Therefore, dispatchers can quickly access Flight Rules, Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METARs), Terminal Area Forecast (TAFs), and airport arrival rate (AAR) through the airport’s drop-down menu for quick decision making.

By supporting smarter decisions during both routine operations and Irregular Operations (IROPs), Maverick Dispatch can optimize routes, reduce delays, and fuel burn — adding up to tangible cost savings. These AI-driven insights can also lead to improved passenger satisfaction by enabling smoother, more reliable operations.

Designed with dispatchers, for dispatchers

Maverick Dispatch emerged from continuous collaboration with global airline experts and customers, incorporating continuous feedback into every aspect of the experience. The result is an intuitive design that streamlines aviation dispatch operations and eliminates complexity. Built on a flexible SaaS platform, it also cuts down on IT burdens and speeds up feature updates, allowing dispatchers to stay focused.

Some of the additional key features and user-focused benefits include:

• Consolidated flight panels: Deliver relevant flight data and alerts in a single, intuitive interface.
• Interactive mapping: Weather overlays, including GRAF layers, create a dynamic, high-resolution visual platform for situational awareness.
• Actionable alert dashboards: Alerts consolidated into a single view help dispatchers prioritize critical information.
• Weather layer suggestions: Offer automated, context-driven data overlays to surface the most relevant information for decision making.
• Rapid updates and feature flags: New feature updates, enhancements, and training can be deployed through the SaaS platform quickly and on demand.
• Centralized meteorology tools: Specialized aviation forecasts and tools, like TAFs, METARs, and the upcoming “ask a meteorologist” feature, provide on-demand support for complex weather scenarios.

Ready to transform dispatch operations?

Aviation leaders face pressure to improve efficiency and safety while keeping up with industry demands. Maverick Dispatch offers a solution built for the future, so that dispatchers can make smarter decisions faster.

Weather intelligence is aviation intelligence. See how Maverick Dispatch not only simplifies decision making, but strengthens operational resilience. Take the first step toward safer, more efficient fleet management from runway to airspace.

Get an insider’s look: watch our product launch event replay

Ready for an exclusive preview of our exciting product functionality, including contextual alerting and workflow insights? Watch a replay of the Maverick Dispatch launch event today.

Weather is the single most powerful force in aviation. From crosswinds during takeoff to turbulence at cruising altitude and fog during landing, weather conditions shape every moment of flight operations. In this complex dance between aircraft and atmosphere, success – and the safety of passengers and crew – depends on the ability to read the sky.

Weather’s impact on flights extends well beyond the immediate airspace. It ripples through airport performance metrics, disrupts airline schedules, influences passenger satisfaction, and drives operational costs. The relationship between weather and flight cancellations is particularly critical, as changing conditions can quickly affect a flight’s takeoff status and trigger disruptions throughout the aviation network.

Successfully navigating these challenges requires more than just managing weather-related flight delays. It demands sophisticated risk assessment, strategic route optimization, and enhanced preparedness for evolving conditions. Today’s aviation industry increasingly relies on advanced weather intelligence to maintain safe, efficient operations.

The following analysis tells a compelling story about the intersection of weather and aviation performance and why real-time, accurate, weather intelligence is so critical.

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Take flight with confidence, no matter the forecast

Weather’s impact on aviation is undeniable, but today’s airlines have powerful allies in their quest for operational excellence. Through advanced analytics and the most accurate forecast, The Weather Company transforms weather challenges into opportunities for smarter operations:

• Maverick^TM Dispatch revolutionizes global flight planning and tracking with Al-powered insights and context-driven workflows that help dispatchers make confident decisions in any condition
• Pilotbrief delivers critical weather intelligence directly to pilots, enabling real-time route optimization and enhanced safety
• Weather Forecast Services provide hyperlocal forecasts with unprecedented accuracy, allowing airlines to plan proactively and minimize disruptions
• Total Turbulence offers industry-leading detection and alerts, helping airlines deliver smoother flights while reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs

Ready to elevate your operations? Discover how accurate, real-time weather data can transform your airline’s decision-making process and drive operational excellence. Here’s to clearer skies and smoother operations ahead.

• Weather intelligence is revolutionizing aviation safety by addressing turbulence, volcanic ash, and extreme weather with advanced technologies.
• Predictive tools like GRAF and TrACR empower airlines to forecast and mitigate weather challenges with hyper-localized, high-resolution data.
• Probabilistic forecasts enhance operational efficiency by providing a range of possible weather outcomes and their associated probabilities.
• Integrated platforms such as Fusion and Pilotbrief^® combine real-time weather data and forecasts to optimize routes and improve decision-making.
• Collaborative data-sharing initiatives, including SkyPath and IATA Turbulence Aware, strengthen global efforts to improve aviation safety and efficiency.

Modernizing aviation safety with weather intelligence

Every takeoff, every landing, and every mile flown is governed by one of aviation’s most challenging variables: the weather. From turbulence to dense fog, weather conditions profoundly shape the aviation experience, impacting schedules, costs, and, most importantly, aviation safety. According to OPSNET data, approximately 74% of flight delays exceeding 15 minutes can be directly attributed to weather-related factors.¹ Weather is more than an operational challenge; it’s a fundamental safety priority.

To combat these challenges, airlines are turning to advanced weather technology that empowers decision-makers with real-time insights and predictive weather analytics. Tools like turbulence tracking and volcanic ash detection are helping aviation professionals reduce risks, strengthen safety protocols, and improve efficiency across every flight phase. The Weather Company’s innovative aviation weather solutions demonstrate how weather intelligence can help transform aviation operations for smoother skies and safer outcomes.

The following sections explore the tools, data, and technologies reshaping aviation safety today. From highlighting the key risks posed by weather to uncovering cutting-edge innovations, the industry is rising to the challenge of managing weather’s impact. Understanding these advancements is essential for today’s aviation operations leaders when navigating severe storms or adjusting for turbulence mid-flight.

Key weather risks in aviation operations

In aviation, weather can present risks that range from operational disruptions to life-threatening hazards. Understanding the specific challenges of different weather conditions is critical to reinforcing aviation safety and operations. Each meteorological phenomenon requires precise strategies and advanced weather technology to mitigate its impact..

Weather has been identified as contributing to approximately 22% of aviation accidents between 2008 and 2022, according to an aviation safety report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).² By addressing these risks with advanced weather technology, airlines can strengthen safety protocols and maintain operational reliability.

Turbulence

Pilotbrief allows pilots to visualize SkyPath turbulence reports along their flight path, enabling quick route adjustments for smoother flights.

Pilotbrief allows pilots to visualize SkyPath turbulence reports along their flight path, enabling quick route adjustments for smoother flights.

Turbulence remains one of the leading causes of in-flight injuries. Between 2009 and 2023, 79% of serious turbulence-related injuries involved crew members, predominantly flight attendants.³ Clear air turbulence can occur without visible warning, making predictive weather analytics essential for preemptive route adjustments. For example, The Weather Company’s Total Turbulence Alerting gives pilots live updates on turbulence intensity, helping them adjust routes to keep flights safer, more efficient, and comfortable for passengers and crew.

Volcanic ash

While less frequent than turbulence, volcanic ash poses a uniquely dangerous risk. Ash particles can damage engines within minutes, often leading to significant repair costs and operational delays. The Weather Company’s volcanic ash detection tools provide immediate alerts that allow airlines to reroute flights and avoid hazardous zones. Enhanced volcanic ash SIGMET notifications are triggered when ash clouds extend beyond thresholds, such as 6,000 feet above a volcano or 10,000 feet above ground. These tools not only protect passengers and aircraft but also minimize costly disruptions.

Wind shear and fog

Wind shear — a sudden change in wind speed or direction — can jeopardize takeoffs and landings, two of the most critical phases of flight. Similarly, dense fog reduces visibility, frequently causing delays at major airports. Fog-related disruptions contribute significantly to holding patterns, increasing both fuel consumption and carbon emissions. By integrating weather intelligence, airlines can better prepare for these conditions to support safer operations.

Thunderstorms and extreme weather

Thunderstorms are among the most disruptive weather events, bringing a combination of turbulence, lightning, and wind shear. These conditions can cause significant operational challenges, from delays to rerouting. Advanced convective risk technologies allow airlines to predict and navigate around these storms, reducing disruptions and maintaining safe operations.

The role of predictive technologies in aviation safety

When it comes to managing weather’s impact on aviation, traditional monitoring systems often fall short. While adequate for basic planning, generic forecasts lack the accuracy needed for dynamic operational decision-making. In contrast, predictive weather analytics and dynamic data tools empower airlines to anticipate weather changes, mitigate risks, and optimize routes for safety and efficiency.

Innovative forecasting technologies for safer skies

Predictive technologies are redefining how airlines address weather challenges by offering hyper-localized and highly accurate insights into atmospheric conditions. For example:

• GRAF forecasting: The Global High-Resolution Atmospheric Forecasting (GRAF) system delivers detailed forecasts for convection, precipitation, turbulence, and extreme heat. Operating six times faster and with three times the resolution of conventional models, GRAF empowers airlines to make timely adjustments to routes and operations.

• Terminal airspace convective risk (TrACR): The TrACR tool helps airports and airlines anticipate convection hazards around terminal areas, minimizing the probability of holding patterns or go-arounds and supporting safer landing conditions.

TrACR delivers real-time, actionable convective weather forecasts for critical arrival and departure corridors.

• Potential volcanic ash impact reports: By simulating the possible movement of ash from continuously emitting volcanoes, these reports help airlines evaluate risks, adjust flight paths, and minimize disruptions.

A visualization of potential ash transport based on forecast winds near the volcano summit level, aiding aviation planning near active volcanoes.

Streamlining operational workflows

Real-time monitoring tools take predictive capabilities further by delivering critical updates directly to pilots, air traffic controllers, and dispatch teams. Solutions like Pilotbrief and Weather Forecast Services integrate these insights into pilot and flight operations’ workflows, enabling teams to:

• Detect developing turbulence along planned flight paths and adjust altitude for smoother air.
• Monitor VAAC advisories and SIGMET alerts to reroute when volcanic ash thresholds are exceeded.
• Provide alerts for wind shear or low visibility to improve safety during critical phases like takeoff and landing.

Additionally, The Weather Company uses predictive analytics to alert airlines to potential icing zones. For instance, if a flight from Chicago to Denver is expected to encounter icing conditions over the Rockies, crews can be advised to implement de-icing measures or adjust cruising altitudes. These proactive insights enable safer flight operations, even in complex weather conditions.

Real-time weather monitoring and advanced technologies

Modern aviation requires more than accurate forecasts; it demands instantaneous, actionable insights adapting to evolving conditions. From the moment an aircraft leaves the gate to its final approach, weather intelligence tools enable decision-makers to maintain safety, minimize disruptions, and optimize operations. These technologies provide the foundation for more innovative, more responsive aviation operations.

Transforming flight management

Continuously updated weather monitoring tools, such as The Weather Company’s dispatch solutions, Fusion and Maverick^TM Dispatch, and Pilot EFB solution, Pilotbrief, provide continuous updates on atmospheric conditions. Unlike static weather reports, these tools deliver actionable insights and alerts via The Weather Company’s Forecast-on-Demand (FOD) process. The FOD system pulls fresh data from satellites, radar, ground sources, and more to deliver insights tailored to specific flight paths and phases of operation precisely at the time requested. This level of personalization allows dispatchers and pilots to confidently request flight path adjustments, avoiding delays or hazards caused by sudden weather changes.

Up-to-the-minute weather intelligence isn’t just for pilots and dispatchers — it empowers collaboration across all levels of an airline’s operations. Flight planners, air traffic controllers, and ground crews benefit from the same integrated data, helping enable a unified response to changing conditions. This alignment enhances efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.

Proactive decision-making through data integration

One of the greatest advantages of real-time weather technologies is their ability to centralize data for decision-makers. The Weather Company’s Maverick Dispatch and Fusion solutions exemplify this capability by delivering advanced weather intelligence within operational workflows. By empowering operational teams with a comprehensive view of weather, airspace, and flight data, The Weather Company helps them anticipate and mitigate disruptions.

Continuous Global Tracking (CGT) within our dispatch solutions provides near-real-time visibility of flights using ground and satellite-based ADS-B data, promoting accurate situational awareness for both en route and ground operations. Intelligent alerting engines proactively notify users of operational exceptions such as turbulence, convective weather, or air traffic congestion, enabling teams to make decisions before problems escalate.

In addition to their tracking and alerting features, Maverick Dispatch and Fusion enhance surface movement with accurate position reports, optimizing taxiing and runway availability at busy airports. For example:

• Air Traffic Flow Manager within Fusion lets dispatchers work to reduce holding patterns, saving time and fuel during peak operations.
• Runway-specific forecasts for RVR let pilots and air traffic controllers determine necessary precautions for takeoff or landing during limited visibility conditions.
• Alerts for wind shear improve safety during takeoff and landing for smoother operations in challenging conditions.

Operational and environmental benefits of weather intelligence

In an industry where every decision counts, advanced weather intelligence is rewriting the playbook for operational efficiency and sustainability. By merging real-time insights with predictive technologies, airlines are unlocking innovative ways to cut costs, reduce environmental impact, and uphold the highest safety standards.

Fuel efficiency that fuels progress

Fuel accounts for nearly 30% of airline operating expenses, making it a constant target for optimization. Advanced tools like Global Surface Movement (GSM) are transforming how airlines approach fuel management, reducing waste where it starts — on the ground. By cutting just a few minutes of taxi time, regional carriers can save up to 41 kilograms of fuel per flight, proving that even small changes deliver measurable results.⁴

By monitoring real-time ground traffic with GSM, airlines can adjust gate pushbacks to reduce fuel consumption during tarmac delays.

Predictive weather analytics take it a step further, enabling airlines to chart the most fuel-efficient routes while avoiding turbulence and other costly disruptions. These optimized flight paths can slash fuel consumption to create a ripple effect of reduced emissions and lower costs that resonate across the industry. For more detailed strategies on improving airline fuel efficiency, our comprehensive guide on advanced weather insights explores cutting-edge solutions and actionable recommendations. It’s not just about flying smarter — it’s about meeting sustainability goals without sacrificing profitability.

Efficiency without compromising safety

Operational efficiency is about precision and maximizing impact, not taking shortcuts. Real-time monitoring tools help airlines maintain optimal cruising altitudes and reduce the risks of turbulence while keeping fuel burn in check. On the ground, smarter coordination minimizes runway congestion and delays during critical phases like takeoff and landing, where precision is non-negotiable.

With advanced weather intelligence, airlines can help ensure safety is baked into every decision. The result? Smoother flights for passengers, a smaller carbon footprint, and a stronger bottom line.

Advancing aviation with essential weather intelligence

The aviation industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, and advancements in weather intelligence are no exception. Emerging tools and methodologies are shaping a future where airlines can anticipate and respond to weather challenges with unprecedented accuracy. From probabilistic forecasting to satellite systems, these innovations are redefining how weather impacts aviation operations.

Probabilistic forecasting and advanced modeling: Revolutionizing aviation safety

Probabilistic forecasting is transforming aviation safety by enhancing turbulence prediction, storm tracking, and volcanic ash detection. Leveraging multi-model ensembles to generate a spectrum of possible weather outcomes and their respective likelihood enables airlines to optimize decision-making for preventative actions like de-icing or intentional ground delays.

Key benefits of probabilistic forecasting include:

• Improved decision-making and operational efficiency: By offering insights into the likelihood of various weather scenarios, probabilistic forecasts help airlines navigate uncertainty with confidence. Airlines can allocate resources more efficiently, reduce unnecessary expenditures, and make economically sound decisions that minimize costs while maintaining safety standards.
• Utilization of ensemble forecasts and advanced technologies: Ensemble forecasting runs multiple weather models to generate a spectrum of atmospheric conditions, offering richer data than single deterministic forecasts. Advancements in deep learning, artificial intelligence, and partnerships between The Weather Company and NVIDIA will soon enable large-scale high-resolution probabilistic forecasts. When driven by expert aviation meteorologist oversight, these tools predict localized weather events, such as thunderstorms near airports or turbulence along specific flight paths, with unprecedented accuracy.
• Safety enhancements and regulatory compliance: Probabilistic forecasts help dispatchers, pilots, and operational teams avoid hazardous weather conditions by understanding the range and likelihood of adverse weather events. They also support regulatory compliance by highlighting the probability of conditions falling below weather minima so airlines can proactively plan adjustments and adhere to strict operational requirements.

By integrating these capabilities, airlines can help dynamically optimize routes, proactively address weather challenges, and further boost operational efficiency. Probabilistic forecasting reshapes how the aviation industry anticipates and mitigates weather impacts, creating a brighter, safer future.

Advancements in radar and satellite-based monitoring

RGB imagery enhances satellite data to highlight atmospheric particulates. Using channels sensitive to volcanic ash (8.4 µm) helps forecasters identify affected areas.

RGB imagery enhances satellite data to highlight atmospheric particulates. Using channels sensitive to volcanic ash (8.4 µm) helps forecasters identify affected areas.

A global radar mosaic forms the backbone of modern aviation weather monitoring. Integrating data from multiple radar sources delivers a unified view of weather systems across vast regions. Airlines gain high-resolution real-time insights into storm intensity, lightning activity, and other critical atmospheric conditions. These capabilities enable precise operational planning for better safety and efficiency across both domestic and international flights.

However, radar coverage faces challenges over transoceanic and polar routes, where traditional systems fall short. SATrad addresses these gaps by leveraging satellite technology to extend monitoring capabilities to remote areas. Its high-resolution, near-real-time data on weather conditions in regions beyond radar’s reach enables tracking of severe weather events worldwide.

Proactive measures made possible by these advancements are key to reducing risks. For instance, volcanic ash detection via satellite allows airlines to evaluate threats and reroute flights well in advance. Such capabilities reduce disruptions and protect aircraft engines from damage. Integrating radar and satellite systems creates a seamless weather intelligence solution, empowering airlines to operate safely and reliably, even in the most challenging environments.

Hyper-localized forecasting

Traditional weather forecasting often provides general information that lacks specificity for flight operations. Future innovations will focus on hyper-localized forecasts tailored to individual flight paths, airport locations, and altitudes. Technologies like The Weather Company’s GRAF already deliver accurate predictions for turbulence and wind shear, and future iterations will only continue to expand these capabilities to provide even greater accuracy for critical aviation decisions.

Hyper-localized forecasts will help airlines address micro-weather events such as localized fog banks or wind gusts at specific runways, further improving safety and efficiency during critical phases of flight.

Collaborative data sharing

The future of aviation safety lies in strengthened collaboration between airlines, air traffic management, and weather intelligence providers. Integrated systems will share live data across global networks, improving situational awareness and decision-making. Collaborative efforts will help to ensure that weather information is consistent and actionable for all stakeholders.

Two key initiatives exemplify the benefits of data sharing in aviation: SkyPath turbulence reports and IATA’s Turbulence Aware. Both programs rely on airlines contributing turbulence data from their own flights. In return, participating airlines gain access to a comprehensive network of turbulence reports submitted by other carriers. This shared data pool provides a global view of turbulence conditions for improved situational awareness and route optimization.

Through The Weather Company’s aviation solutions, airlines can seamlessly consume both SkyPath and IATA Turbulence Aware data. Integrating this turbulence intelligence into workflows helps minimize turbulence encounters, enabling airlines to maintain the comfort and safety of passengers and crew. Additionally, reducing turbulence incidents can decrease the need for aircraft inspections, which often result in grounding aircraft until airworthiness is validated.

IATA Turbulence Aware subscribers are proactively alerted to turbulence reports affecting their flight routes, including the severity level.

As the aviation industry adapts to these trends, airlines will be better equipped to navigate weather challenges, optimize performance, and deliver safer, more efficient travel experiences. By investing in advanced weather technology, the future of flight will be safer and more economical.

Elevating aviation safety with advanced weather intelligence

Weather has always been a defining factor in aviation, influencing safety, efficiency, and costs. Today, advanced weather intelligence is revolutionizing how airlines approach these challenges, enabling proactive decisions and optimizing operations. From predictive analytics and hyper-localized forecasts to tools like Fusion and Pilotbrief, which provide both real-time data and future weather forecasts, these innovations are transforming aviation safety.

These weather intelligence tools mitigate delays, optimize routes, and reduce fuel consumption by addressing risks such as clear air turbulence, volcanic ash, and convection. More importantly, they lay the foundation for a safer and more sustainable aviation industry.

Advanced weather technology isn’t just a competitive advantage — it’s a necessity for modern airlines navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Take the next step with The Weather Company’s predictive weather analytics and discover how aviation safety can reach new heights through the power of innovation.

• The ability to forecast volcanic ash accurately is vital, as ash can lead to severe engine damage and operational disruptions in aviation.
• The Weather Company offers real-time, global volcanic ash advisory forecasts to help airlines proactively plan routes to avoid hazardous airspace.
• Advanced tools like RGB satellite imagery and webcams provide precise tracking of volcanic ash for safer flight operations.
• Impact reports from The Weather Company enhance situational awareness for airports near active volcanoes and help minimize the risk of disruptions.
• The Weather Company’s unique tools, such as the Enroute Hazards package and enhanced SIGMETs, provide airlines with advanced insights to avoid hazardous airspace and maintain safe operations.

Volcanic ash is a danger that can turn a routine flight into a risky endeavor, damaging engines, blinding pilots, grounding entire fleets, and putting passenger safety at risk. For airlines, the stakes are high, making the need for accurate forecasting inclusive of volcanic ash extremely critical. With industry-leading tools that go beyond standard advisories, such as the Enroute Hazards package and enhanced volcanic ash SIGMETs, The Weather Company’s forecast solutions provide aviation leaders with real-time insights to help outmaneuver ash clouds, keep flights on track, and greatly improve safety for passengers and crew.

The operational risks of volcanic ash

Volcanic ash can cause severe damage to aircraft engines, leading to potentially dangerous situations mid-flight. The ash particles are highly abrasive and can melt inside the engine’s combustion chambers, creating blockages that can result in engine failure. In addition to engine damage, volcanic ash can interfere with navigation systems, obstruct windshields, and drastically reduce visibility, all of which elevate the risk of flying through affected airspace.

These risks often force airlines to reroute flights, delay departures, or even cancel operations, leading to costly disruptions and logistical headaches. As ash clouds move through the atmosphere, operational leaders need precise and timely information to make quick decisions and avoid unnecessary impacts on both passengers and airline schedules.

Comprehensive forecasting for aviation safety

Volcanic Ash forecast Flight Plan Guidance (FPGs) display

To address these challenges, The Weather Company offers industry-leading tools, such as the Enroute Hazards package, designed to enhance volcanic ash and aviation safety for aviation customers of all sizes. Beyond the basic Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) bulletins, our services include enhanced volcanic ash SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) notifications, which are triggered when ash reaches key thresholds: 6,000 feet above the summit of a volcano or 10,000 feet above ground, extending over 50 nautical miles. SIGMETs are also issued for added safety if ash is detected near customer destinations, even if it doesn’t meet these thresholds.

Real-time monitoring and advanced tools

Monitoring volcanic ash in real-time is complex, but The Weather Company offers robust tools for precise tracking. RGB satellite imagery, created using GOES-East and GOES-West satellites, offers accurate identification and monitoring of volcanic ash in the atmosphere, even in complicated weather conditions. By employing techniques like channel differencing with the ash-sensitive 8.4-micron channel, this imagery allows forecasters to confidently differentiate ash from other elements like steam or water vapor.

To further refine these forecasts, The Weather Company leverages third-party webcams to visually monitor volcanic activity in real time. These webcams provide continuous views of volcanoes like Popocatépetl in Mexico, which allow forecasters to distinguish between ash emissions and less threatening emissions like steam or gas. When combined with satellite data, this real-time monitoring enables assessments of volcanic activity, leading to better decision-making by airline operations teams.

RGB imagery enhances satellite data to highlight atmospheric particulates. Using channels sensitive to volcanic ash (8.4 µm) helps forecasters identify affected areas.

Ash forecast modeling

For larger eruptions, The Weather Company uses sophisticated ash forecast modeling to predict how ash will disperse through the atmosphere. These forecasts are generated using GFS-based weather models that take into account jet streams and other atmospheric factors to predict how ash clouds will move and interact with flight paths. This type of modeling is crucial for larger eruptions where ash can linger in the atmosphere for days or even weeks, posing extended risks to aviation.

For minor ash emissions, existing patterns of ash movement support decision-making. For larger eruptions, forecasts of ash dispersion provide airlines with critical information on ash location and projected movement, helping them to plan effectively for immediate and long-term impacts.

Potential volcanic ash impact reports

Potential Volcanic Ash Impact Report tracks daily volcanic ash movement, aiding aviation planning near active volcanoes.

Daily aviation volcanic ash reports are another critical component of our service, particularly for airports located near active volcanoes. Airports like those near Popocatépetl, Fuego, and Sangay receive continuous updates on the potential movement of ash toward key airspace and terminals. While these reports don’t predict explosive events, they do provide detailed insights into how current volcanic emissions might affect nearby operations.

These reports are invaluable for situational awareness, especially for airports that operate under the constant risk of volcanic activity. By offering advanced notice of potential ash impacts, airports and airlines can make proactive adjustments, reducing the risk of unexpected disruptions.

Human-over-the-loop reports for comprehensive insights

Navigate volcanic ash hazards with confidence using The Weather Company’s detailed Human-Over-the-Loop (HOTL) Reports. These reports compile relevant volcanic ash data into easy-to-read PDFs, featuring essential information such as SIGMETs, wind barbs, and satellite imagery. With this consolidated data, airlines gain a comprehensive understanding of the current situation, allowing for more informed decisions regarding flight safety and route planning.

The HOTL reports put all relevant information in one place, offering a comprehensive picture of volcanic activity in real time. Operational leaders can take immediate, decisive action to adjust flight operations, minimizing risks and keeping passengers and crew safe.

Staying ahead with proactive volcanic ash forecasting

Volcanic ash presents significant risks to aviation, but these challenges can be effectively managed through proactive planning and real-time insights. The Weather Company’s suite of solutions helps airlines stay ahead of disruptions, empowering decision makers to help maintain safe and efficient operations, even in volatile conditions. And, because forecasting services from The Weather Company seamlessly integrate into current operational workflows, airlines can start taking advantage of this critical technology with minimal effort.

Don’t let volcanic ash cloud your operations. Elevate your airline’s safety and efficiency with The Weather Company’s industry-leading Weather Forecast Services.

The Weather Company and SkyPath partnership keeps growing stronger with the rollout of new features into both Pilotbrief and Fusion products. These enhancements help air carriers tap into SkyPath’s crowdsourced turbulence data to predict better, prevent, and mitigate the impact of intensifying clear air turbulence.

The growing challenge of turbulence

Recent studies tell us severe clear air turbulence (CAT) has jumped by 55% in the last 40 years due to intensifying climate change.1 This rise in turbulence adds to more injuries to passengers and crew, as well as costs for injury damages, aircraft maintenance, and fuel consumption.

SkyPath integration with Pilotbrief and Fusion

Not only does the partnership produce live, crowdsourced turbulence data, it offers airlines the tools they need for an impactful turbulence mitigation strategy. In 2023, SkyPath observed 1.4 billion turbulence reports, so integrating this data into existing EFB and dispatch solutions can equal significant results. The integration of this data set within the TWC suite of aviation products will allow airlines to quickly obtain the best situational awareness possible for efficient and decisive decision making.

Looking at five years of real-world air carrier data—over one million flights—clearly shows that data-powered solutions can reduce turbulence-related injuries to flight attendants by 40-50% and mean cost savings of close to $10M per year from injury damages alone.²

Features for a smoother and safer journey

SkyPath’s real-time data set, matched with Fusion’s manage-by-exception workflow, enables teams to focus on upcoming impacts on flights. Pilotbrief and Fusion put timely, accurate turbulence data into the tools pilots and dispatchers use daily. To be or not to be seated: they’ll get live notifications of upcoming turbulence, which makes them better equipped to plan and react in real-time, like turning on the fasten seatbelt sign in advance or navigating around turbulence.

Users can also view SkyPath turbulence reports inside a vertical profile, making navigating through turbulence at any ride stage simple, intuitive, and, best of all, safe.

AI + machine learning = a new frontier for ride quality

SkyPath covers 100% of the globe with its AI-based turbulence forecast (“Nowcast”) which boasts an impressive 90% accuracy. It’s undoubtedly a game-changer, connecting real-time turbulence observations by the SkyPath iPad algorithm with meteorological parameters and advanced machine learning to predict short-term turbulence for up to six hours. The combination of SkyPath’s data with TWC’s GRAF flight weather turbulence forecasting allows for a unified picture of turbulence risks associated with safe travel.

To learn more about SkyPath’s integrations with Pilotbrief and Fusion, view our joint webinar.

Garden variety or so called “pop-up” thunderstorms are common during the warm season and generally have limited impacts to airline operations. But there’s another kind of summer storm plaguing the airline industry that’s not so innocent: training thunderstorms. What exactly are these severe storms, what impact can they have on airline operations, and how can airline decision makers ensure they’re prepared? Read on.

What are training thunderstorms?

Training thunderstorms occur when a series of individual thunderstorm cells repeatedly propagate over the same geographical area. The overall collection of convective cells associated with training thunderstorms is also known as a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS). While the term “MCS” can apply broadly to any cluster of thunderstorms, a training MCS can result in a prolonged period of torrential rainfall, leading to significant flash flooding. These unique and rather rare convective systems are most common during the summer months across the central United States, occurring most frequently during the late evening and overnight hours.

Thunderstorms erupting across Texas during a hot summer afternoon, causing numerous flight diversions.

Critical to the formation of training MCSs is the presence of a slow moving surface boundary. Commonly a warm front, this boundary is crucial in generating lift to initiate the development of thunderstorms. Once thunderstorms have become established, the slow movement of this boundary can enable several rounds of thunderstorms to traverse the same areas repeatedly.

Further enhancing the likelihood of training thunderstorms is the presence of a low level jet (LLJ). This strong belt of winds in the lower atmosphere aids in transporting the large quantities of atmospheric moisture needed to sustain multiple rounds of thunderstorms.

Forecasting training thunderstorms

While certain large-scale atmospheric features can be forecasted with a relatively high degree of accuracy up to several days in advance, finer-scale atmospheric phenomena such as training thunderstorms are much more difficult to predict. In these more nuanced situations, our team of The Weather Company meteorologists leverage a suite of short-term, high-resolution forecast models to better assess atmospheric conditions. Supplementing this model data is our extensive experience forecasting past thunderstorm events, with pattern recognition serving as an invaluable tool in the accurate and timely prediction of disruptive thunderstorm events.

How training thunderstorms disrupt airline operations

As thunderstorms redevelop and repeatedly rumble overhead or in close proximity to an airline’s hub during peak arrival or departure times, the risk of significant operational disruption increases:

• Training thunderstorms over arrival fixes or the airport can lead to airborne holding and possible aircraft diversions when fuel gets low.
• Blocked departure corridors can lead to long delays on the ground as planes become stacked up nose to tail on taxiways while waiting to depart.
• Lightning over the airfield can trigger ramp closures for ground workers which can lead to suspension of aircraft boarding, deplaning, catering operations, baggage transport, and fueling.

All this leads to departure delays and possible gridlock as arriving flights wait for gates occupied by delayed departures. As diversions and delays compound, the risk of cancellations increases. Passengers are left stranded at the airport with little to do but post unfavorable comments on social media followed by negative headlines in the press. Local roadway flooding is also possible which may make getting to and from the airport challenging for passengers and employees. An airline caught by surprise may take days to recover in the aftermath of the worst events.

How The Weather Company helps airlines navigate training thunderstorms

The Weather Company meteorologists embedded within an airlines’ operations center strive to identify and communicate the risk of training thunderstorm events up to a day in advance. The goal is to give the airline ample lead time to develop an operational plan to best manage the event based on the potential start time and duration. A thunderstorm planning outlook is issued the day prior to open a dialogue with airlines’ decision makers. Subsequent forecast updates and tactical communication continue throughout the event until the risk has extinguished.

Summary

Although we as The Weather Company forecasters can’t control the weather, we do work diligently to alert airline decision makers to the potential of a training thunderstorm event. We work side-by-side with them throughout the event to provide the most accurate weather and help the airline weather the storm.

This post is part two of a two-part blog series dedicated to severe thunderstorm education. Read the first installment.

Part one of this series explained why thunderstorms happen during springtime – and what specific weather phenomena creates them. Building on this, let’s go deeper into thunderstorms and convection in general. We’ll also share how The Weather Company’s solutions can help aviation industry professionals like you make better decisions that keep your customers and crews safe.

How does The Weather Company help aviation clients navigate thunderstorms?

Enroute hazards

The Weather Company’s Enroute Hazards solution forecasts organized clusters or lines of storms and produces convection hazards.

Single-cell thunderstorms can be strong to severe and cause significant damage. But they don’t usually meet the spatial distance, or coverage requirement, to warrant a convective hazard (like FPG or SIGMET) to be drawn in the area. For single-cell storms, where Enroute Hazards may not highlight the area with the drawn hazards, pilots can turn to onboard radar to avoid convection.

Onboard radar also helps with developing convection where updrafts can create severe turbulence.

Terminal aerodrome forecasts

The Weather Company issues Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) on a global scale.

With certain TAFs, mainly large hubs, The Weather Company may include a TAF discussion where the forecaster writes about potentially strong or severe storms and, in some cases, may also mention possible threats (i.e., hail, tornado, etc.) with that type of storm.

More about convective hazards

All of the convective hazards generated by The Weather Company include an average base and max height. No aircraft should try to fly below our convective hazards. That’s why we use an average base level.

Our Flight Plan Guidance (FPGs) are usually SCT-BKN (scattered to broken) in coverage which represents between 35% and 50% of coverage.

Typically, these are a strong line or an area of thunderstorms that have well-defined breaks, but not significant coverage.

The Weather Company team does have the ability to draw SCT FPGs from 15% to 35% in the vicinity of a select number of hubs in the United States and in more sensitive or highly traveled U.S. regions, including BOS-ORD-MEM-ORF-BOS.

When it comes to significant meteorological hazards (SIGMETs), they are either BKN, which is 50% to 75% coverage, or solid storms with greater than 75% coverage. BKN coverage is virtually an unbroken line, small breaks are likely, or an area of robust thunderstorms with significant coverage.

SIGMETing this coverage of thunderstorms is our way of advising aviation clients to avoid this area.

A solid area of storms is where there are no breaks in a line of thunderstorms or a large cluster of thunderstorms with no breaks in convection (i.e. Mesoscale Convective System).

Are thunderstorms the biggest risks for aviators?

The greatest threat to aircraft isn’t lightning–aircraft are built to withstand lightning strikes –but rather severe turbulence, hail, and icing.

The convective hazards produced by The Weather Company–like FPGs and SIGMETs–include implied turbulence and icing. It’s generally suggested that aircraft avoid these areas. Each airline will need to follow its individual standard operating procedure on how to handle this.

Hail damage to aircraft, including the windshield, or encountering severe turbulence, means that the aircraft will be taken out of service for maintenance. This impacts time, cost, and potentially airline credibility.

What’s the latest frontier for the aviation industry? Space weather. 

The scientific data available on how space weather impacts avionics is still in development; the industry is currently at a similar level of understanding as with terrestrial weather back in the 1970s. 

That’s why The Weather Company’s Space Weather Task Force is dedicated to advancing this knowledge base. We work closely with the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) to help aviation professionals navigate its immediate (and currently recognized) effects on airline operations such as communication blackouts caused by sunspots, GPS malfunctions created by geomagnetic storms, or solar radiation exposure to passengers and crew.

Recently, we hosted an exclusive webinar to share how our aviation weather experts handle communication on space weather and its current impacts. We also discuss how The Weather Company is continually innovating and improving these communications.

Example of a visual from the updated space weather bulletins.

Check out the recording below to get more info about how we’re tackling space weather, one event at a time.

In this webinar, you’ll discover:

• A refresher on space weather’s impact
• The way we obtain space weather data from SWPC
• How we communicate space weather events to airlines
• Our plans for innovating in this field
• A helpful Q & A session with attendees

If your airline experiences any effect of space weather, let us know. Your input may help revolutionize the understanding of this phenomena – for your friends at The Weather Company, SWPC, and the world at large.

Ready to get insights? Watch the webinar now.

This post is part one of a two-part blog series dedicated to severe thunderstorm and convection weather education. Read part 2 here.

Picture this: it’s late March. Grass is greener. Flowers are budding. The temperature is picking up. The weather is finally calming down, and you let out a sigh of relief.

Then it happens. Strong gusts of wind, bouts of hail, and even tornadoes. Looks like you’re not out of the woods yet.

That’s because spring isn’t just a time of renewal. It’s also the time when severe weather starts to show its true power. And for meteorologists, it’s the most exciting season to witness–especially because of severe thunderstorms.

What causes severe thunderstorms during spring in the US?

The answer has to do with the rise in temperatures as the northern hemisphere increases its angle to the sun. This causes longer daylight hours. But there are many more variables needed to create severe thunderstorms. These include:

• Available moisture
• An unstable atmosphere
• A lifting mechanism
• Wind shear

How these phenomena create severe thunderstorms

During the spring, the Polar Jet is still very active and is associated as a boundary with cold Canadian air on its northern side. This cold air mass comes down from Canada and interacts with the warm, moist air that moves northward from the Gulf of Mexico. This available moisture is crucial in the development of severe thunderstorms.

What’s more, the Great Central Plains provides an excellent backdrop, or “battle zone” if you will, for these two air masses. When spring arrives, the upper atmosphere is relatively cool–even cold. And the lower levels of the atmosphere get warmer thanks to the longer days.

This is the catalyst for the second ingredient in severe thunderstorm development: an unstable atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Polar Jet still dips down into the central US, creating strong mid- and upper-level disturbances in the atmosphere.

These disturbances support frontal zones and frontal waves which are located between the “battle zone” of two air masses located on or near the surface (in this case, the Great Plains.) And thus, we have our third ingredient for severe weather: a lifting mechanism.

So what about the last ingredient: wind shear? 

Forms of wind shear

1. Vertical wind shear: This type enhances the thunderstorm updrafts, allowing the storm to continue to get stronger and stronger.
2. Lower-level directional wind shear: Thunderstorms need this kind of wind shear to occur in the lower levels of the atmosphere, which helps the updrafts to start rotating.

When all these ingredients are in play, convection happens. And weather forecasters feel the hype. They know severe springtime thunderstorms are coming up–and they’re in for quite a show.

Wrapping up

While this isn’t a comprehensive list of severe weather requirements, I hope I gave you a quick and easy resource to understand the basics of why spring is a likely time for severe weather thunderstorms.

So now, why not go outside and enjoy the possibilities spring has to offer? Just keep in mind that there are bigger forces that can bring you a pretty entertaining light show.

Want to know more about how The Weather Company helps the aviation industry operate amid thunderstorms? Check out part two of this blog post series.