GoogleEarth is a quite useful tool in initial flight planning. While it offers basic weather information like IR satellite and radar imagery in the "Weather" layer, actual aviation weather data is missing.

:: Download

Open this KML file in GoogleEarth to display METARs, TAFs, and PIREPs. You might also be interested in my temporary flight restriction (TFR) display for GoogleEarth

:: METARs

The symbol is according to the reported cloud cover:

	Clear below 12000 ft. This is usually an automated report, and there might be clouds above 12000 ft. This symbol is also used for the CAVOK (Ceiling and visibility OK) status
	Sky clear
	Few clouds
	Scattered clouds
	Broken clouds
	Overcast sky
	Sky obscured. This symbol is used when vertical visibility is reported but no cloud information
	Missing cloud information in report

The color of the symbol is according to the flight category:

LIFR	Low Instrument Flight Rules:	ceiling below 500 feet AGL	and/or	visibility less than 1 mile
IFR	Instrument Flight Rules:	ceiling 500 to below 1,000 feet AGL	and/or	visibility 1 mile to less than 3 miles
MVFR	Marginal Visual Flight Rules:	ceiling 1,000 to 3,000 feet AGL	and/or	visibility 3 to 5 miles
VFR	Visual Flight Rules:	ceiling greater than 3,000 feet AGL	and	visibility greater than 5 miles

:: TAFs

Click the symbol for the full Terminal Area Forecast text. Help on decoding the TAF format

:: PIREPs

Note that by default PIREP display is disabled. Simply click the checkbox for it in the "Places" area of GoogleEarth.

Click the symbol for the full pilot report text. Help on decoding the PIREP format

:: Updates

The data is requested every time you change the viewing area directly from the US National Weather Service, specifically the Experimental Aviation Digital Data Service. This data is slightly less reliable than the official released weather data, and service might be unavailable at times.

Even though this data can be helpful in flight planning, do NOT rely on the displayed data to be accurate!
Neither the original database information is fully reliable, nor this visualization is free of programming errors.
ALWAYS get official weather information from a briefer or other certified data sources before a flight.

To say it clearly, I'd really hate it, if anyone gets hurt from using the little script I wrote. In Legalese this reads like this:
The software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement. In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising from, out of or in connection with the software or the use or other dealings in the software.

For further information contact: Lutz Latta (llatta at 2ld.de)

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<Last update: 27 May 2011>