The World Area Forecast System 2023

WAFS 2022 - now WAFS 2023

COVID-19 has had some impact on project planning - the WAFS upgrades are now scheduled to complete in 2023 rather than 2022 as originally planned.

The future of WAFS

Work is underway to determine the future of WAFS to make it ready for the next generation of aviation. With rapid advancement in data and technology, it is essential that development takes place to ensure the service continues to deliver meteorological information to the aviation community. These changes are largely driven by ICAO’s Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) and the Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBU) ensuring that the developments are structured and align to agreed operational objectives.

As World Area Forecast Centres (WAFCs), the UK Met Office and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working collaboratively to ensure that the next generation of WAFS data sets deliver accurate and improved meteorological data. As the aviation industry rapidly changes, these new and improved data sets will contribute towards limiting the environmental impact of air travel, cope with increased traffic and capacity demands and help air traffic management strategies to mitigate against and avoid hazardous weather conditions.      

Keep up-to-date

Between now and the end of the project, we want to keep you updated with developments about the new WAFS. As new information becomes available, this page will be updated with new documents which outline the aims and progress of the project. We also have our Aviation Services LinkedIn page where we post periodic updates about the WAFS upgrades and other service information. 

The following documents are currently available for you to download and view:

• The Next Generation WAFS Delivery System (2023)
• WAFS 2023 - timeline

 

Update winter 2021

Test SIGWX data sets in IWXXM format

In November 2023 the WAFS SIGWX forecasts will be modernised and produced in a new IWXXM format.  We have published some test IWXXM data sets and would like to invite users to try to visualise it.  Please follow the link HERE to access the data sets.

 

Probabilistic WAFS forecast consultation

The WAFCs have been developing the capability to produce probabilistic World Area Forecast System (WAFS) data sets, and are planning to introduce them in late 2027 to complement the existing data. 

In order to ensure that the forecasts we provide are useful, the WAFCs need to find out what probabilistic data sets would be useful to the aviation industry.

If you use turbulence, icing or cumulonimbus forecasts, please take a look at the documents below which give examples of the different ways in which probabilistic data could be provided.  You can provide feedback by clicking HERE to be taken to our feedback survey.   Alternatively, you can email the SADIS manager with any comments.

•        Probabilistic Icing

•        Probabilistic Turbulence

•        Probabilistic Cumulonimbus

 

Update winter 2020

The new icing, turbulence and cumulonimbus datasets at 0.25 degree horizontal resolution have now been released. These datasets will be available to users of the SADIS service. 

Turbulence datasets now in EDR

The new Turbulence datasets use the latest algorithms and will provide output in terms of Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), an aircraft-independent measure of  turnbulence. EDR was developed by the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in the United States. This measure will enable forecasters and flight planners to more accurately anticipate where to expect turbulence that may impact on flight safety.  

Icing datasets now show icing severity

The icing dataset algorithms have been updated and now include a categorical assessment of icing severity.

IWXMM format OPMET data

On 5 November 2020 IWXMM format OPMET data becomes mandatory in ICAO Annex 3. This new dataset is also now available through SADIS service.  Find out more about what data is available via SADIS.

Find out more about the new datasets

• Learn more about the WAFS Hazard datasets.
• Understand how to use the new WAFS Hazard datasets in this training presentation.

This is the first stage in the move to providing all WAFS elements at 0.25 degree horizontal resolution, and future changes will also bring additional vertical levels, timesteps and a new delivery system. 

An example of the difference between 0.25 degree and 1.25 degree resolution for Turbulence.

Find out more

For more information about WAFS 2023 contact [email protected] or [email protected]