We’ve been using text AIRMETs for years. Why should we care about using a graphical AIRMET?
Actually, aviation weather users have been asking for weather graphics for years. The text AIRMET requires meteorologists to describe hazards over large geographical areas spread over six-hour periods. The graphical AIRMET, or G-AIRMET, promises to provide a decision-making tool based on weather “snapshots” at shorter time intervals. The G-AIRMET will be able to identify hazardous weather in space and time more precisely than text, enabling pilots to maintain higher safety margins while flying efficient routes. G-AIRMETs are a better way for aviation forecasters to show you their forecast through interactive and easy to understand graphical displays. Forecasters will put their energy into creating and updating G-AIRMET depictions. Traditional text AIRMETs will still exist, but will be standardized, derived from and consistent with G-AIRMET information.
