Connext Worldwide Weather: Track Weather Wherever

With hardware like Garmin's GSR 56, you can finally enjoy the safety-enhancing benefits of datalink weather when operating worldwide. Weather data is requested on demand using the GSR 56 satellite link. Weather data includes Meteorological Aviation Reports (METARs) that provide current temperature, dew point, precipitation, wind speed and more, as well as Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) that show predicted weather for up to 30 hours in advance. Throughout most of Europe, Canada, Australia, and the U.S., the GSR 56 can also receive high-resolution radar imagery, which displays in full color on the G1000 and G600/G500/G500H series of displays. Additional coverage is planned for satellite, radar and lightning data. Check back for updates. Subscription to Iridium satellite data service through Garmin is required. Monthly and per-use charges apply.

RADAR

RADAR echoes from sites across the US, Canada, Australia and Western Europe are combined into a single display. Post processing of the radar imagery is done to remove most false returns due to atmospheric anomalies and ground clutter while also color coding the precipitation based on the type expected at ground level. Rain colors range from light green to yellow and finally red for the most intense echoes. Snow is indicated by white and mixed precipitation is pink. In Canada, Australia, and Western Europe, radar returns from the lowest usable antenna angle are displayed. In the United States, the most intense radar echoes observed at any tilt of the radar are shown for any given location. Areas of weak or no radar coverage are colored purple.

Coverage maps show the maximum area data is provided for. Actual coverage may vary from one image to another. Click on map for larger view.

North America Radar

Europe Radar

Australian Radar

Satellite

Clouds are detected by the infrared radiation they emit. This allows the satellite to track clouds at night. Darker grey clouds tend to be warmer and therefore, lower in the atmosphere. Brighter shades of white indicate colder, taller cloud tops. Because low clouds and fog often have temperatures close to the surface air temperature, it can be difficult to determine the exact line between clear and cloudy skies.

Coverage map shows the maximum area data is provided for. Actual coverage may vary from one image to another.

Satellite Coverage

Lightning

Cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes are plotted on a grid. This data should not be interpreted as the exact location of a lightning strike. It is intended to show that lightning is in the general area represented on the display.

Lightning Coverage

METARs

Routine weather observations for aviation are called METARs. They provide information on temperature, dew point, visibility, cloud cover, ceiling height, precipitation, winds and air pressure. METARs are generally issued hourly. SPECIs or special reports are issued more frequently as conditions warrant. Most METARs are reported by automated observation equipment. Worldwide coverage.

TAFs

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) are generated for select airports by human forecasters. They usually include forecasts for visibility, ceilings and precipitation. Worldwide coverage.

PIREPs

Pilot Reports (PIREPs) include weather information observed by pilots in flight. Cloud cover, ambient temperature, wind velocity and direction, turbulence, icing, visibility, weather and other remarks may be included. Worldwide coverage.

SIGMETs

SIGMETs are advisories of significant meteorological information for aircraft. They may be issued for convection, icing, turbulence, IFR, mountain obscuration, volcanic ash and dust storms. Worldwide coverage.

AIRMETs

AIRMETs are advisories similar to SIGMETs but are for less severe conditions. Worldwide coverage.

Winds Aloft

Estimated speed and direction of winds based on computer model forecasts for various levels of the atmosphere. Worldwide coverage.