Now Testing: Experimental Alaska Aviation Guidance for Pilots Under VMC (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)

Image Courtesy: NWS Alaska

DISCUSSION: The National Weather Service (NWS) has developed the Alaska Aviation Guidance (AAG), which is currently about experimental product. This product according to the NWS is designed to provide, “a short-term projection of weather conditions at select locations based off of Local Aviation Model Output Statistics (LAMP).” The primary goal of AAG is to supplement local aviation guidance that may have an AWOS/ASOS (Automated Weather/Surface Observing System) but no TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast), both valuable resources used by pilots in obtaining outlook, and supplemental forecasts.

The AAG is primarily designed for use under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and within 6 hours for flights under 2 hours. Due to the nature of the AAG product being experimental, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require that this product be used with METARS (METeorological Aerodrome Reports), Pilot reports (PIREPs), the Area Forecast (FA), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMETs), and Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMETs).

It is expected that this experimental guidance will be open to use and suggesting for a period of 1 year. The product will be updated automatically every hour, with a new updated 6 hours forecast presented. Due to limitations within the LAMP guidance (Localized Aviation Model Output Statistics Program), a program designed to produce a statistical analysis, current guidance is not able to output convections, blowing snow or smoke.

For more information on aviation guidance visit the Global Weather and Climate Center!

© 2019 Meteorologist Jessica Olsen