Definition
The practice of altering a flight path to remain clear of hazardous weather, typically by requesting heading, altitude, or routing changes from air traffic control. Pilots use onboard radar, datalink weather, controller advisories, and visual observation to identify areas of thunderstorms, turbulence, icing, or heavy precipitation, and then deviate around them.
Plain English
Steering around bad weather instead of flying through it, usually by asking ATC for a different heading or route.
Context Anchor
In the TRACON environment, a pilot may receive weather information or suggested headings from approach control to help stay clear of bad weather near busy terminal areas.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps the aircraft away from turbulence, icing, lightning, and loss of control.
Grounding Statement
If a storm is between the airplane and the airport, weather avoidance is the practical act of going around it instead of continuing straight through it.
Intuition Check
Weather avoidance does not mean avoiding every cloud or every area of rain. It means staying clear of weather that could make the flight unsafe or unsuitable for that aircraft and situation.
Example Sentence 1
Cleveland Center, Cessna Three-Four-Alpha requests twenty degrees right for weather avoidance.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot requested a deviation east for weather avoidance during the arrival.