Definition
A central FAA computer system that gathers, processes, and distributes aviation weather information to air traffic control facilities and to systems that serve pilots. It collects data from sources such as surface observation stations, radar, and forecast offices, then formats and routes that data so it can be used in flight planning, briefings, and ATC operations.
Plain English
A big FAA computer behind the scenes that pulls in weather information from many sources, organizes it, and sends it out to the people and systems that need it.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA acronym lists and in discussions of aviation weather systems that support flight operations and air traffic control.
Why Pilots Care
It gives pilots timely, accurate weather details needed for safe route selection and go/no-go decisions.
Example Sentence 1
The weather briefing the pilot received before departure was built from data passed through the Aviation Weather Processor (AWP).
Example Sentence 2
Controllers referenced AWP data when issuing a weather advisory to an aircraft on approach.