Pilots generally rely on METARs and TAFs to obtain information about the weather at airports and on their routes. However, there are a lot more other weather resources available online to help pilots plan a safe journey. 

AWWS (Aviation Weather Web Site) - METAR and TAF 

Link: (https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca/cgi-bin/CreePage.pl?Langue=anglais&NoSession=NS_Inconnu&Page=forecast-observation&TypeDoc=html)

The AWWS provides Graphical and Numerical weather data including METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, Satellites, Radar, etc. These weather forecasts are perfect for Canadian pilots to refer to while planning their trip, and it uses information from NAV Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

METAR stands for Meteorological Aviation Reports, and these hourly reports only show current observed weather conditions at airports. METARs are usually coded in text, using various acronyms and abbreviations. When the weather undergoes rapid changes, a SPECI (Aviation Selected Special Weather Report) is issued; it looks just like a METAR. 

TAFs, on the other hand, show airport weather forecasts of future weather; the text format of the TAF is very similar to the METAR. Thus, pilots can refer to both METARs (for current weather) and TAFs (for future weather) to better plan their flight and to maximize the safety of their arrival/departure. 

On the AWWS website, (https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca/cgi-bin/Fore-obs/metar.cgiLinks to an external site.), you can input your desired airport to find the METAR and TAF in real-time. I decided to input the closest major airport to UBC, Vancouver International Airport (coded CYVR) into the site:

Below I attached an image that can better help non-pilots read the METAR and TAF abbreviations:

how to read a METAR report, https://www.dronepilotgroundschool.com/reading-aviation-routine-weather-metar-report/,Links to an external site. accessed Nov. 17th, 2021)

AWC (Aviation Weather Center) - SIGMETS and AIRMETS

The equivalent of AWWS in the US is known as AWC, and it provides weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Just like AWWS, it provides pilots with numerous weather resources. Using the AWC website (https://www.aviationweather.gov/sigmetLinks to an external site.) we will focus on SIGMETS and AIRMETS: Significant Meteorological Information and Airmans Meteorological Advisories. SIGMETS and AIRMETS are both weather advisories that focus on severe weather conditions that can affect flight and they provide warnings to pilots.

https://www.aviationweather.gov/sigmet:Links to an external site. in this interactive real-time weather map, you can adjust the scale, and the legend on the bottom indicates the areas with severe weather conditions such as Turbulence and Icing.

NASA Worldview - Satellite images of Clouds

We've talked about weather forecast websites in both Canada and the US. Now, what about other parts of the world? We all know that pilots fly around the world. 

Fortunately, NASA has released their own website, Worldview, that can provide pilots and non-pilots a better understanding of real-time satellite images of clouds around our entire globe. (https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/Links to an external site..) This interactive map is very interesting to play around with and you can change the scale, time, and even set up a map animation to better understand cloud movement around the world.