With nearly 30 years of experience
in transforming weather information into innovative products
and decision support tools for the aviation industry, you'll
notice the WSI difference and unparalleled expertise in every
WSI aviation weather product you use in flight.
Learn more about WSI's radar and lighting,
aviation weather and
airspace conditions
available via the WSI InFlight service by clicking on the links
below. |
WSI NOWrad® 2Km Radar
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WSI InFlight NOWrad radar images are update devery 5 minutes
and show “composite” (as opposed to “base”)
reflectivity which is defined as the maximum reflectivity
detected through the entire vertical column of the atmosphere
at the time of the observation.
Each WSI NOWrad image is mosaicked in the horizontal by combining
reflectivity data from all NEXRAD radar sites available at
the time of the update. This procedure is accomplished using
WSI proprietary computer algorithms which accurately depict
the maximum reflectivity levels of the combined radar data,
and also detect and eliminate most false echoes. NOWrad images
are then subjected to a final, manual inspection by specially
trained meteorologists with the objective of removing any
false echoes not detected by the computerized procedures.
This process produces radar imagery that is highly accurate
and virtually free of false echoes enabling pilots to plan
more efficient routes around storms. |
WSI radar summary
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WSI’s Radar Summary provides information on cell heights,
speed and direction of cell movement, and the presence of hail
(HAIL), mesocyclones (MESO), Tornado Vortex Signatures (TVS),
and hook echoes (HOOK) .Indicators are updated every 5 minutes
and are derived directly from National Weather Service NEXRAD
storm attribute tables. WSI’s Radar Summary in the cockpit
enables pilots to visualize the 3D aspects of storms to avoid
them vertically or deviate around them. |
WSI precipitation type
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Precipitation type (i.e. frozen, liquid, or mixed) is indicated
on WSI InFlight NOWrad radar images by selected color shadings.
Frozen or mixed precipitation is indicated by shades of pink and
blue. Updated every 5 minutes, this information indicates the
type of precipitation occurring at the surface and is an estimate
based on surface observations available at the time of the update.
With WSI’s Precipitation Type, pilots can visualize and
avoid the most hazardous mixed conditions at the surface. |
WSI dynamic radar coverage mask
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The WSI InFlight system utilizes a dynamic “mask”
on all radar images to show areas of radar coverage / non-coverage.
Updated every 5minutes, a grey shading indicates lack of radar
coverage below 10,000’ MSL. Factors affecting coverage are
range limitations of the radar due to the curvature of the earth
(i.e. off coastal areas, northern Canada, and Mexico), high terrain
blocking the radar beam in mountainous areas, and the fact that
individual radar sites are occasionally taken out of service for
routine maintenance. Pilots should be aware of and always exercise
caution in areas where no coverage is indicated. |
WSI lightning
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WSI InFlight provides access to a unique set of lightning data.
WSI displays USPLN lightning data that provides extended coverage
throughout North America and hundreds of miles off shore. The
data is updated every 5 minutes and strokes are aged in 5 minute
increments out to 15 minutes. With WSI lightning data, pilots
can visualize and avoid the most active convective weather areas.
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Learn more about WSI
aviation
weather and
airspace conditions
available in the cockpit.
