Plain English Meaning

The NWS is the U.S. government's official weather agency. It produces the forecasts and warnings that pilots use to plan and fly safely.

Full Definition

The National Weather Service is the U.S. government agency, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), responsible for issuing weather forecasts, warnings, and observations for the United States and its territories. For aviation, the NWS produces the official weather products pilots rely on, including METARs, TAFs, area forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and volcanic ash advisories.

Context Anchor

Seen in aviation weather briefings, FAA weather guidance, and discussions of hazards such as volcanic ash.