Definition
A pilot weather report (PIREP) classified as urgent because it describes hazardous conditions that pose an immediate threat to flight safety. Urgent PIREPs (UUA) are reserved for specific phenomena: tornadoes, funnel clouds, waterspouts, severe or extreme turbulence, severe icing, hail, low-level wind shear, volcanic ash, or any other weather hazard considered critical. Air traffic facilities are required to relay urgent PIREPs to other pilots and to the National Weather Service without delay.
Plain English
A pilot's report about weather bad enough to be a real danger right now -- things like severe turbulence, severe icing, tornadoes, or wind shear. These reports are passed on immediately so other pilots can avoid the hazard.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation weather briefings, in-flight weather updates, and FAA weather source discussions when pilot-reported hazardous conditions are being passed along quickly.
Derivation
Urgent' comes from the Latin 'urgere,' meaning to press or push. The label signals that the report cannot wait -- it must be pushed out to other pilots and forecasters immediately.
Why Pilots Care
They provide immediate awareness of flight-threatening conditions so pilots can adjust routes or altitudes to maintain safety.
Intuition Check
Do not read “urgent” as just “interesting” or “worth noting.” Here it means the report contains weather information that should be shared quickly because it may affect safety.
Example Sentence 1
While picking up the ATIS, the crew heard an urgent pilot weather report of severe turbulence at FL280 along their planned route and requested a lower altitude.
Example Sentence 2
Before takeoff the pilot reviewed the latest urgent pilot weather reports to confirm the route remained clear of turbulence.