Graphical Area Forecast (GFA) Breaking the Text Barrier in the New Millennium

In April 2000, Environment Canada introduced a graphical area forecast (GFA) service, replacing the antiquated alphanumeric area forecast bulletins (FAs) that have been used, with little change, since the 1940s. Domestic and international aviation users now have access to a new graphical representation of aviation weather parameters over Canadian airspace, making it easier to get an understanding for the weather affecting their plans.

Forecasters at several aviation weather centres across Canada (Kelowna, Edmonton, Toronto, and Gander) use a software program (Edigraf) to prepare graphical depictions of the weather over their area of responsibility, including clouds and weather, icing and turbulence, and freezing level information. These regional depictions are combined by forecasters in Montréal into a large national depiction, from which seven separate "domains" are automatically carved. The final charts are sent across communication networks, are stored on a web site for easy access by aviation users, and are FAXed to other users.

This is a first in the world, and it has been warmly received by the aviation community. It has been an interesting process to overcome the challenges posed by getting forecasters to work graphically, to coordinate across multiple weather centres, and working with the users to fine-tune the product.