An Overview of the Enterprise Integrated Aviation Weather System – Regional Rapid-Refresh Modeling Platform

The Enterprise Integrated Aviation Weather System (eIAWS™), en-Route Service Function uses the Regional Rapid-Refresh (eIAWS-R3R) modeling framework as a state-of-the-art solution aimed at improving strategic air traffic management (ATM) decision-making with more accurate 2 to 9 hours weather forecasting. eIAWS-R3R uses the Nonhydrostatic Multiscale Model on the B-grid (NMMB) as its mesoscale modeling core, which provides sub-hourly high resolution (e.g. 3km) forecasts for regional airspace covering both airport terminals, and regional flight routes. While the system is designed for aviation industry weather purposes especially for regions outside the U.S., our initial model testing is conducted using U.S. data and model domain. Severe and winter weather events account for most of the weather-related flight delays or cancellations in the National Airspace System (NAS), which is a major concern for the FAA, airlines, and airports for regular operations. eIAWS™ is designed to further integrate relevant weather forecast modules to cover the entire operational decision-making tempo-spatial scales of the civil aviation industry.  It strives to simplify ATM decision-making weather information needs through more tailored products. Early testing and implementation results have validated the potential benefits for ATM planning of re-routings, miles-in-trail, ground stops, cancellations and further coordination among civil aviation operational stakeholders.