Advances in weather technology for the aviation system

It is affirmed that there is a critical need for the development of aviation weather warning and forecast system products that give attention to storm-scale weather. This specifically addresses weather events that occur on the 0-2 h time and 0.5 mile space scales, which are significantly smaller than the scales used in current weather systems. Through a series of weather sensor modernization systems, including Doppler weather radar vertical wind profiling radars, automated surface weather-sensing stations, and advanced weather satellites, the capability to obtain high-resolution advanced weather products will be enhanced. Examples both of deficiencies in the current aviation weather system and of expected advanced products in a modernized weather system are given. For example, a precise 30-60 min thunderstorm point forecast should become available during the next decade. In addition, a series of fully automatic weather hazard warning products, including those for low-altitude wind shear, tornadoes, and turbulence, will become available for air traffic controllers and flight crews. It is noted that, once validated advanced weather products are routinely made available, it is incumbent upon the operational users of the aviation system to develop more definitive means of making operational decisions that improve the safety and efficiency of the system.<>