Definition
NWSR is a data category label used in FAA and aviation weather data feeds that refers to weather products issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), with NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar, abbreviated NXRD) imagery filtered out. It identifies the subset of NWS-sourced weather information — such as text forecasts, advisories, and surface observations — delivered without the separate NEXRAD radar mosaic data stream.
Plain English
A label for a bundle of weather information from the National Weather Service that leaves out the radar pictures. The radar data is sent separately, so this category covers everything else the NWS provides.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA acronym, abbreviation, and NOTAM contraction lists when weather-related information is described in shortened form.
Derivation
NWSR combines NWS (National Weather Service, the U.S. government agency that issues civilian weather products) with R, indicating it is a data feed or report category. NXRD is the contraction for NEXRAD, the national network of Doppler weather radars. The label exists because radar imagery is heavy data and is usually handled as its own stream, so the rest of the NWS weather is grouped under a separate name.
Why Pilots Care
When selecting weather products in an EFB or briefing system, knowing that NWSR excludes radar tells you that you also need to pull NEXRAD or another radar product separately to get a complete picture before flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read NWSR as “all National Weather Service weather.” In this FAA use, NEXRAD radar weather is specifically left out.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot subscribed to the NWSR feed for text forecasts and advisories, and added a separate NEXRAD product to get radar coverage along the route.
Example Sentence 2
Check NWSR updates before departure to review current conditions.