AWH 2-4

Chapter 2, Aviation Weather Service Program 2-4 2.2.2.1.8 Center Weather Service Unit (CWSU) Center Weather Service Units (CWSU) are units of NWS meteorologists under contract with the FAA that are stationed at, and support, the FAA’s air route traffic control center (ARTCC). CWSUs provide timely weather consultation, forecasts, and advice to managers within ARTCCs and to other supported FAA facilities. Special emphasis is given to those weather conditions that are hazardous to aviation or that could impede the flow of air traffic within the NAS. CWSU meteorologists issue the following products in support of their respective ARTCC: Center Weather Advisories (CWA) and Meteorological Impact Statements (MIS). 2.2.2.1.9 Weather Forecast Office (WFO) The NWS has 122 Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) across the United States and select territories. An NWS WFO is a multipurpose, local weather forecast center that produces, among its suite of services, aviation-related products. In support of aviation, WFOs issue Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) and Aviation Forecast Discussions (AFD), with some offices issuing Airport Weather Warnings (AWW), Soaring Forecasts, and Balloon Forecasts. The WFO also issues weather warnings such as tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. The Honolulu WFO is unique among NWS WFOs in that it provides multiple services beyond the typical WFO. WFO Honolulu is also designated as an MWO for ICAO. As a result of this unique designation, WFO Honolulu is the only WFO to issue the following text products: AIRMETs and SIGMETs. WFO Honolulu is co-located with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). The CPHC provides official NWS forecast of the movement and strength of tropical weather systems and issues the appropriate watches and warnings for the central Pacific, including the State of Hawaii. WFO Honolulu also issues a suite of marine products covering a large portion of the Pacific Ocean. In support of ICAO, the CPHC is also referred to as a TCAC. 2.3 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) The FAA, a part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), provides a safe, secure, and efficient airspace system for the promotion of U.S. aerospace safety. Per Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44720, Meteorological Services, the FAA establishes all requirements for aviation weather reports and forecasts. The FAA provides a wide range of services to the aviation community. The following sections provide a description of those FAA facilities that are involved with aviation weather and pilot services. 2.3.1 Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center (ATCSCC) The air traffic control systems command center (ATCSCC) has the mission of balancing air traffic demand with system capacity. This ensures maximum safety and efficiency for the NAS, while minimizing delays. The ATCSCC utilizes the Traffic Management System (TMS), aircraft situation displays, monitor alert, follow-on functions, and direct contact with ARTCC and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility Traffic Management Units (TMU) to manage flow on a national level. Because weather is the most common reason for air traffic delays and rerouting, NWS meteorologists support the ATCSCC. These meteorologists, called National Aviation Meteorologists, coordinate NWS operations in support of traffic flow management within the NAS.