Definition
A display system that shows air traffic controllers a picture of precipitation echoes captured by a distant weather radar site. The radar itself is located elsewhere, and its weather data is transmitted to the controller's facility so the controller can see areas of rain, snow, or thunderstorm activity along an aircraft's route.
Plain English
A screen at an air traffic control facility that shows weather picked up by a radar somewhere else, so controllers can see where the rain and storms are without having a weather radar of their own.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation acronym lists and equipment-status information when a weather radar display system is being identified or reported as available or unavailable.
Derivation
Remote means 'located at a distance' (from Latin remotus, 'moved away'). The radar is not at the controller's facility -- the weather picture is being sent in from somewhere else.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots access to real-time radar imagery for safer route planning and avoidance of hazardous weather.
Intuition Check
Remote does not mean the pilot controls it from a distance. Here, remote means the radar information comes from equipment located somewhere else.
Example Sentence 1
The controller used the RRWDS to point out a line of heavy precipitation about 20 miles ahead of the flight.
Example Sentence 2
RRWDS allowed the flight crew to view updated radar images without installing onboard weather radar equipment.