Definition
Observed weather information gathered at specific locations and times, distributed through aviation channels to inform pilots of current conditions. Common examples include surface aviation observations (METARs), pilot reports (PIREPs), and radar weather reports. Weather reports describe what the weather is doing now, as opposed to forecasts, which predict what it will do later.
Plain English
A record of what the weather is actually doing right now at a particular place, used by pilots to plan and fly safely.
Context Anchor
Used during preflight planning, before departure, and whenever a pilot checks current conditions along a route or at an airport.
Why Pilots Care
They directly affect go or no-go decisions, route selection, and the need for alternate airports.
Intuition Check
Do not treat weather reports as guesses about the future. In this context, a weather report describes observed or officially reported conditions; a forecast predicts what may happen later.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the pilot reviewed the latest weather reports for both the departure and destination airports to confirm conditions matched the forecast.
Example Sentence 2
Strong winds listed in the weather reports caused the instructor to postpone the cross-country flight.