Aviation Weather
CLI tool for aviation weather data from NOAA Aviation Weather Center. No API key required.
Quick Start
# Current conditions
avwx metar KHSV
# Forecast
avwx taf KJFK
# Full briefing
avwx brief KHSV,KMDQCommands
METAR (Current Conditions)
avwx metar KHSV # Single station
avwx metar KHSV,KBHM,KMSL # Multiple stations
avwx metar KHSV --hours 3 # Last 3 hours
avwx metar KHSV --raw # Raw METAR text
avwx metar KHSV --json # JSON outputOutput includes: flight category (VFR/MVFR/IFR/LIFR), wind, visibility, clouds, temperature, altimeter.
TAF (Forecast)
avwx taf KJFK # Terminal forecast
avwx taf KHSV,KBHM # Multiple stations
avwx taf KJFK --raw # Raw TAF textShows forecast periods with wind, visibility, and cloud conditions.
PIREP (Pilot Reports)
avwx pirep # Recent PIREPs
avwx pirep --hours 4 # Last 4 hours
avwx pirep --limit 50 # More resultsIncludes turbulence, icing, and weather observations from pilots.
SIGMET/AIRMET
avwx sigmet # All active
avwx sigmet --hazard TURB # Turbulence only
avwx sigmet --hazard ICE # Icing only
avwx sigmet --hazard CONVECTIVE # ThunderstormsFull Briefing
avwx brief KHSV # Complete weather briefing
avwx brief KHSV,KMDQ,KBHM # Multi-airport briefingCombines METAR, TAF, and active SIGMETs in one report.
Flight Categories
| Category | Ceiling | Visibility | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| VFR | >3000ft | >5 SM | Green |
| MVFR | 1000-3000ft | 3-5 SM | Blue |
| IFR | 500-1000ft | 1-3 SM | Red |
| LIFR | <500ft | <1 SM | Magenta |
Common ICAO Codes
Use 4-letter ICAO codes (not FAA LIDs):
- US airports: Add K prefix (HSV → KHSV, LAX → KLAX)
- Alaska: PA prefix (PANC = Anchorage)
- Hawaii: PH prefix (PHNL = Honolulu)
- International: varies (EGLL = London Heathrow, LFPG = Paris CDG)
Data Source
All data from NOAA Aviation Weather Center (aviationweather.gov). Updated every minute for METARs, every 6 hours for TAFs.
Installation
No dependencies required (uses Python stdlib only).
chmod +x scripts/avwx.py
# Optional: symlink to PATH
ln -s $(pwd)/scripts/avwx.py /usr/local/bin/avwx