What is a AIRMET?
Acronym for AIRman’s METeorological Information. This National Weather Service (NWS) aviation product advises of weather that maybe hazardous, other than convective activity, to single engine light aircraft, Visual Flight Rule (VFR) pilots, or any other pilot of limited capability because of lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications. AIRMETs are routinely issued for 6 hour periods beginning at 0145 UTC during Central Daylight Time and at 0245 UTC during Central Standard Time. AIRMETS are also amended as necessary due to changing weather conditions or issuance/cancellation of a SIGMET . AIRMET’s concern weather of less severity than that covered by SIGMETs or Convective SIGMETs. AIRMETs cover moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, widespread areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles, and extensive mountain obscurement.
