DUATS is excellent to get weather info, NOTAMs, file flight plans, but the graphics of the different products are not that good. You can create a DUATS account with a student or pilot certificate. When you enter the flight information, you get the weather reports, NOTAMs, etc and it can be used to comply with the pre-flight briefing requirement.
You can also get weather information and graphics from the Jeppesen JetPlan and the NOAA's AviationWeather site. You need a suscription to JetPlan, but you can copy the links of the graphs and paste them on a link to see the chart. They are the most easy-to-interpret and user friendly sites. Too bad DUATS doesn't use NOAA's graphics.
Graphical Products
Satellite
Display infrared images from geostationary satellites showing cloud areas.
Jeppesen Satellite Products
- Infrared
- Infrared loop
- Visible or Nighttime Fog Product
- Visible or Nighttime Fog Product loop
- Infrared/Radar Composite
- Infrared/Radar Composite loop
Aviation Weather Satellite Images (You can select either the latest image, a big or a small loop in a visible or infrared image type)
Surface Analysis
It displays front and pressure system positions along with detailed WX information as observed at various locations. Frequency: Every 3 hours. Valid Period: Observation.
Jeppesen Surface Analysis Chart and 24h Forecast
Aviation Weather Surface Analysis Chart
Weather Depiction
A 'de-cluttered' surface analysis that sumarizes WX conditions, from METAR observations, by showing broad areas of IFR and MVFR. Frequency: Every 3 hours. Valid Period: Observation.
Jeppesen Weather Depiction Chart
GIF or PDF Aviation Weather Depiction Chart
Radar Summary
Displays precipitation echoes along with type, trend, movement and intensity. Frequency: Every 35 minutes past the hour. Valid Period: Observation.
Aviation Weather GIF or PDF Radar Summary Chart
Low-Level Significant Weather Prognostic
Forecast areas of significant weather and precipitation in 12 and 24 hour blocks. Frequency: Every 6 hours. Valid Period: 24 hours.
Jeppesen 12h and 24h Surface Analysis Chart
Aviation Weather Low-Level Significant Weather Prognostic Charts (Recommended) and Analysis and forecast surface conditions (Prog Charts)
Convective Outlook
Gives an easy-to-see visual representation of the areas in which thunderstorm activity is expected to develop. Frequency: 12h: 5 times daily, 24h: 2 times daily. Valid Period: 1200Z of the next day.
Jeppesen Convective Outlook Chart
Aviation Weather Convective Outlook Charts
Winds and Temperatures Aloft
It's a graphical version of the textual product. Frequency: Every 12 hours. Valid Period: 12 hours.
Jeppesen FL050 (850 mb) Analysis and Forecast
Aviation Winds and Temperatures Aloft Charts (Recommended)
Icing
Jeppesen Icing Maps
Aviation Weather Icing Charts and Freezing Level Graphics
Other Important Stuff
There's a page to check graphical AIRMETs and SIGMETs. You can either choose interactive or static G-AIRMETs. (Recommended)
Jeppesen IFR and Mountain Obscuration AIRMETS
Jeppesen Turbulence Maps
Jeppesen SIGMET and Convective SIGMET Areas
Textual Products
Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)
Weather observation at an airport including winds, temps, sky condition, pressure, etc. Frequency: Every 53 minutes past the hour. Valid Period: Observation.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/metars/
Terminal Area Forecast (TAF)
Airport forecast including winds, sky condition, precipitation types, visibility, etc. Frequency: Every 6 hours. Valid Period: 24 hours.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/tafs/
Area Forecast (FA)
Forecasts for large regions including cloud heights, precipitation types, visibility and general atmospheric condition (VFR, MVFR, IFR). Frequency: Every 8 hours. Valid Period: 18 hours.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/products/fa/
AIRMETs (WA)
Outlines areas of weather events affecting primarily smaller aircraft, including IFR conditions, turbulence and icing conditions. Frequency: Every 6 hours. Valid Period: 6 hours.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/airmets/
SIGMETs (WS)
Outlines areas of significant weather events affecting all aircraft including icing, turbulence, blowing dust/ash/sand and volcanic eruptions. Frequency: As needed. Valid Period: 4 hours.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/airmets/
Convective SIGMETs (WST)
Outlines areas of significant weather events relating to convective (thunderstorm) activity. Frequency: Hourly. Valid Period: 2 hours.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/airmets/
Winds & Temperatures Aloft (FD)
Forecasts wind direction and velocity and temperatures at various levels of the atmosphere. Frequency: Every 12 hours. Valid Period: As noted.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/products/nws/winds/
Center Weather Advisory (CWA)
Current significant weather event information discussed in a prior WA, WS, WST disseminated to pilots by ARTCC.Frequency: As needed. Valid Period: 2 hours.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/products/cwsu/
Pilot Reports (UA/UUA)
Weather observations provided by pilots including information on temperature, wind, sky condition, turbulence and other significant weather.
Link: http://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/pireps/
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