Definition
A federally funded research and development center, based in Boulder, Colorado, that studies the atmosphere and related Earth system processes. NCAR develops weather models, forecasting tools, and turbulence and icing products used by the aviation weather community, including several products available through the Aviation Weather Center.
Plain English
A major U.S. atmospheric research lab that builds many of the weather tools and forecasts pilots end up using.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying weather-source discussions, especially where FAA material refers to research-based weather tools or aviation weather guidance.
Why Pilots Care
Its research improves the accuracy of weather forecasts and hazard predictions that pilots rely on for safe route planning and decision-making.
Intuition Check
Do not read NCAR as a weather report or a briefing source by itself. It is the research organization behind some weather science and tools that may support aviation weather information.
Example Sentence 1
The icing forecast tool the briefer referenced was developed through research at NCAR.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots benefit indirectly when NCAR studies lead to better icing and thunderstorm prediction tools.