WeatherWise: Forecasting and Nowcasting Techniques for General Aviation Pilots

WeatherWise is an entertaining book focused on insuring US pilots have a better understanding of the dynamic forces that generate the various forms of weather they must cope with as an aviator. Written in a conversational style and using real world scenarios combined with seasonal knowledge, it introduces a technique known as Nowcasting - a simple way to validate a weather forecast by comparing it to the weather you're actually experiencing. WeatherWise helps you develop this skill set so you can quickly determine if a forecast has been blown. (And early-on, when the forecast is first coming unraveled, is the very best time to go to plan "B" rather than waiting until things have deteriorated to the point where your options are limited or non-existent.) WeatherWise teaches you how to predict when conditions are right for severe thunderstorms and Tornados and provides suggestions on how to deal with them. And it provides guidance on identifying those times when discretion is the better part of valor. It shows you how winter storms are made, what the ingredients are for severe convective weather, and how to spot weather dangers early in the process before they become life-threatening. Finally, WeatherWise reveals three sources of detailed information that supplement the FAA mandated Standard Weather Briefing (which is legally required, but woefully inadequate to help you really understand the atmospheric dynamics that are present or forecast to occur). These National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sources are free and also tailor made for aviator use. It's almost like having your own private aviation weather provider working to help you safely complete your flight. If you want a non-mathematical, entertaining approach to understanding the weather, coupled with real world tips on the common - and not so common - weather challenges a pilot faces, you should consider this book.