PlREP (Pilot Weather Report)

A PIREP (Pilot Weather Report) is an in-flight observation of meteorological conditions made by a pilot and transmitted to ATC or FIC for relay to other pilots and meteorologists. PIREPs are the most current real-time source of weather information along a route, filling in gaps between weather observation stations.

PIREP Format

Standard PIREP: UA (urgent) or UUA (urgent), /OV (location), /TM (time), /FL (altitude), /TP (aircraft type), /SK (sky conditions), /WX (weather), /TA (temperature), /WV (wind), /TB (turbulence), /IC (icing), /RM (remarks). Example: “UA /OV YTZ /TM 1430 /FL 070 /TP C172 /SK BKN 040 /WX -RA /TA 04 /WV 270/15 /TB LGT /RM smooth below 5000.”

Urgency of PIREPs

File a PIREP whenever you encounter: turbulence (light or greater), icing (trace or greater), visibility reduction, unusually high or low wind, or any other condition a pilot would want to know about. Airmen at all levels benefit from PIREPs, and providing them is part of the collective safety culture of aviation.

How to File

Contact FIC or ATC on any frequency and say you have a PIREP to file. The controller or specialist will record it and disseminate it. You can also file via 1-866-WXBRIEF by phone.

Related Terms

See also: FIC, Icing, Clear Air Turbulence.