Plain English Meaning

A recorded phone message, run by Flight Service, that gives a quick overview of the weather for an area or route. You call a number, listen to the recording, and get a general picture before talking to a briefer.

Full Definition

A continuous, automated telephone recording provided by Flight Service that gives pilots a pre-recorded summary of area or route weather, and sometimes other aeronautical information, for a specific geographic area. TIBS is intended as a preliminary or supplemental source of information and does not replace a standard weather briefing from a Flight Service specialist.

Context Anchor

Seen in older FAA weather-source discussions and preflight planning material, especially when describing ways pilots could get weather information by telephone.