Definition
A report of actual weather conditions encountered by an aircraft in flight, transmitted by the pilot to a ground facility (such as Flight Service or ATC) for relay to other pilots and weather services. It typically includes location, time, altitude, sky cover, visibility, temperature, wind, turbulence, icing, and any other significant conditions observed.
Plain English
A short note from a pilot in the air telling everyone on the ground -- and other pilots -- what the weather is actually like up there right now.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter Pilot Weather Reports in weather briefings, in-flight updates, and communications with air traffic or flight service when current conditions matter.
Why Pilots Care
Gives other pilots advance warning of actual conditions that may differ from forecasts, improving safety in changing weather.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a Pilot Weather Report is a forecast. It is a report of weather a pilot actually observed from an aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
After hitting unexpected moderate turbulence at 8,000 feet, she gave a Pilot Weather Report to Flight Watch so following traffic would know.
Example Sentence 2
Flight Service uses incoming Pilot Weather Reports to brief other pilots planning the same route.