Definition
Weather information observed by a pilot in flight and reported to air traffic control or a flight service station, typically describing conditions such as turbulence, icing, cloud tops and bases, visibility, wind, or thunderstorm activity. These reports are transmitted as PIREPs (Pilot Reports) and shared with other pilots and forecasters as real-time observations from the actual flight environment.
Plain English
Weather conditions that a pilot saw or felt while flying, then radioed in so others know what's actually happening up there.
Context Anchor
You may hear or provide pilot reported weather when talking with air traffic control or flight service, especially during changing weather, instrument flying, or before an approach.
Why Pilots Care
Supplies real-time, in-flight observations of turbulence, icing, or visibility that ground stations may not detect.
Grounding Statement
Pilot reported weather is a real-world report from someone who is actually in or near the weather, not just a forecast.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as any casual comment a pilot makes about the weather. In this context, it means a pilot’s weather observation passed into the aviation information system for operational use.
Example Sentence 1
Center passed along pilot reported weather of moderate turbulence at 8,000 feet about 30 miles ahead, so we requested a climb to 10,000.
Example Sentence 2
ATC passed along pilot reported weather showing moderate turbulence at flight level 080.