Alaska Aviation Weather Links

Alaska Aviation Weather Unit

The National Weather Service unit responsible for forecasting and disseminating aviation weather data for all of Alaska and coastal waters. This site includes text and graphical forecasts, text and graphical observations, graphical access to textual pilot reports by area (very useful) and a host of others weather products. Look on the Graphical Products page for links to photos of many airports and air strips, together with associated weather, climate, runway and facility data.

NWS Alaska Region

Access to mainly public forecasts and observations, as well as climate data and specialized forecasts and reports (such as fire, ice and river forecasts.

Nav Canada

The private air traffic control and flight service provider for Canada provides access to Canadian forecasts and reports. Unfortunately, Environment Canada only makes many of their products available in a graphical format that is difficult to read and interpret.

National Radar

Access to nearly-live NEXRAD radar sites throughout the country. Limited coverage of Alaska is available, but wothwhile for flights in the central interior, south-central and Gulf coast.

CWSU Anchorage Alaska

The Center Weather Service Unit provides weather to Anchorage Center, mainly for use by IFR aircraft within the Anchorage FIR. Since it is located at the center, not the NWS office in Anchorage, the perspective is occasionally different, and may reflect the fact that ATC is in close touch with aircraft currently in flight, and need up-to-the-minute information and forecasting.

NWS Anchorage Forecast Office

My favorite portal for flight preparation in south-central Alaska, with access to public and aviation weather information.

Alaska Weather Cams

Due to the remote nature of many parts of the state, the FAA has begun installing cameras at sites of interest, which can be viewed in near-real time. Not too useful during hours of darkness, but handy for checking pass conditions before takeoff. FSS has access to this site, so you can ask for their interpretation of the images in flight.

NOAA Photo Library

Not specific to Alaska, this site contains photographs of common and unusual weather phenomena, among other things. Really a great pictorial introduction to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


	The following is a listing of links to Alaska Aviation Weather Resources that I have found to be useful. If you are aware of others, please let me know so I can include them here. Alaska Aviation Weather Unit The National Weather Service unit responsible for forecasting and disseminating aviation weather data for all of Alaska and coastal waters. This site includes text and graphical forecasts, text and graphical observations, graphical access to textual pilot reports by area (very useful) and a host of others weather products. Look on the Graphical Products page for links to photos of many airports and air strips, together with associated weather, climate, runway and facility data. NWS Alaska Region Access to mainly public forecasts and observations, as well as climate data and specialized forecasts and reports (such as fire, ice and river forecasts. Nav Canada The private air traffic control and flight service provider for Canada provides access to Canadian forecasts and reports. Unfortunately, Environment Canada only makes many of their products available in a graphical format that is difficult to read and interpret. National Radar Access to nearly-live NEXRAD radar sites throughout the country. Limited coverage of Alaska is available, but wothwhile for flights in the central interior, south-central and Gulf coast. CWSU Anchorage Alaska The Center Weather Service Unit provides weather to Anchorage Center, mainly for use by IFR aircraft within the Anchorage FIR. Since it is located at the center, not the NWS office in Anchorage, the perspective is occasionally different, and may reflect the fact that ATC is in close touch with aircraft currently in flight, and need up-to-the-minute information and forecasting. NWS Anchorage Forecast Office My favorite portal for flight preparation in south-central Alaska, with access to public and aviation weather information. Alaska Weather Cams Due to the remote nature of many parts of the state, the FAA has begun installing cameras at sites of interest, which can be viewed in near-real time. Not too useful during hours of darkness, but handy for checking pass conditions before takeoff. FSS has access to this site, so you can ask for their interpretation of the images in flight. NOAA Photo Library Not specific to Alaska, this site contains photographs of common and unusual weather phenomena, among other things. Really a great pictorial introduction to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. None of these sites disseminate "official" aviation weather, so use them with caution (especially check valid times of reports and forecasts). It is best to use them for an overview prior to calling FSS for an "official" weather briefing, or to supplement a DUATS briefing. Also, they can be useful for obtaining forecasts beyond the normal outlook window for aviation forecasts.