Definition
A weather display feature on an MFD (Multi-Function Display) that shows the predicted direction and speed of individual thunderstorm cells, typically represented by an arrow extending from each cell in the direction it is moving, with the length or label indicating speed.
Plain English
A small arrow on the cockpit weather screen showing which way each thunderstorm is moving and how fast.
Context Anchor
Seen on an MFD or other cockpit weather display when viewing datalink weather products during flight planning or in flight.
Derivation
“Graphical” comes from a word meaning “drawn or written,” which fits because the information is shown visually. In weather, a “cell” means one distinct storm area, not a biological cell or a small room. “Movement” refers to that storm area’s motion across the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to predict storm positions and make informed decisions about routing to maintain safe separation from hazardous weather.
Grounding Statement
If the display shows a storm cell moving toward your route, the safe choice is to give it extra room rather than aim for where the gap appears to be right now.
Intuition Check
Do not assume CELL MOV shows exactly where the storm is at this instant. It shows recent storm-cell movement based on received weather data, which may be delayed.
Example Sentence 1
The CELL MOV arrows on the MFD showed the line of storms tracking northeast at 35 knots, so the pilot deviated south to stay well clear.
Example Sentence 2
By checking CELL MOV on the MFD, the pilot could anticipate the storm's path relative to the destination airport.