Definition
The collection of weather data a pilot reviews before a flight to evaluate conditions along the planned route, at the destination, and at alternates. It typically includes current observations, forecasts, winds and temperatures aloft, hazardous weather advisories (AIRMETs, SIGMETs, convective SIGMETs), PIREPs, NOTAMs related to weather, and any reports relevant to departure, en route, and arrival airports.
Plain English
It's the weather picture you build before you fly — what the weather is doing now and what it's expected to do, everywhere you plan to go.
Context Anchor
Used when contacting Flight Service, checking an aviation weather source, or preparing for a go/no-go decision before a flight.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the pilot to identify and avoid hazardous weather before takeoff, supporting safe go/no-go decisions.
Grounding Statement
Before the airplane moves, the pilot builds a weather picture of the whole flight, not just the sky overhead.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as only the weather at the airport right now. In aviation, preflight weather information includes what is happening now and what is expected along the route and at the destination.
Example Sentence 1
Before launching, she called Flight Service for preflight weather information and learned a line of thunderstorms was forecast to cross her route by mid-afternoon.
Example Sentence 2
Reviewing preflight weather information revealed possible icing, so the flight was postponed.