Plain English Meaning

A short weather report a pilot makes from the air, describing what the weather is actually doing where they are flying, so other pilots and forecasters know what to expect.

Full 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 distribution to other pilots and weather services. A Pirep typically includes location, time, altitude, sky conditions, visibility, temperature, wind, turbulence, icing, and any other significant weather observed.

Context Anchor

Pilots encounter during weather planning, while talking with or flight service, and when sharing conditions they find in flight.