How To Nail Your Weather Briefing: A Practical Guide for UK Pilots
Nailing Your Weather Briefing: A Practical Guide for UK Pilots
For us pilots in the UK, weather is one of the most common reasons for cancelled flights or dodgy days in the air. Between Atlantic fronts, low cloud, and the classic British drizzle, getting your weather briefing spot on is crucial. So, here’s a down-to-earth guide on how to approach your pre-flight weather check like a pro.
Why Weather Briefings Matter
Even for a short local hop, knowing what’s brewing overhead can be the difference between a smooth flight and an unplanned diversion. A solid briefing gives you the confidence to fly safely or the smarts to scrub the trip.
Where UK Pilots Get Their Weather
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Met Office Aviation Briefing Service – A staple for most of us. TAFs, METARs, and useful charts.
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SkyDemon & ForeFlight – Great apps that pull everything into one spot, plus handy graphical forecasts.
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Windy.com – Excellent for visualising wind, rain, and cloud layers.
Breaking Down TAFs & METARs
METAR Example: EGCC 180750Z 24010KT 9999 BKN025 07/03 Q1015
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24010KT – Wind 240 degrees at 10 knots.
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9999 – Visibility 10km or more.
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BKN025 – Broken cloud at 2500ft.
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Q1015 – Pressure setting 1015 hPa.
TAF Example: EGCC 180500Z 1806/1912 25012KT 9999 SCT030
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Valid from 6am on the 18th until midday on the 19th.
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Scattered cloud at 3000ft, winds 250 at 12 knots.
What to Watch For in the UK
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Low Cloud and Fog: Common near coasts and valleys, especially in the morning.
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Frontal Systems: Typical UK flying headache—check synoptic charts.
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Wind Strength and Direction: Crosswinds are common on smaller airfields.
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Freezing Levels: Especially in winter, always check icing risks.
Making The Go/No-Go Call
If you're VFR only, cloud base and visibility are your key priorities. No shame in calling it off if it doesn't feel right. Remember, the weather is always worse than the forecast says it might be.
Final Word
A good weather briefing is like a good pre-flight check—it sets you up for success. Spend a few extra minutes getting clued up, and you’ll thank yourself in the air.
Fly safe, and if you’ve got any weather-check hacks, share them with the community!
