Managing the Storm

A look at recent developments using Doppler weather radar to improve safety and reduce delays in the US aviation system when impacted by thunderstorms.

Aviation operations during thunderstorms are significantly improved by timely warnings of hazardous low-altitude wind shear and rapidly updating storm information to support air traffic management. In Managing the Storm, James Evans, John Cho, and Elizabeth Ducot recount the development of systems for real-time use by non-meteorologist aviation decision-makers.

The book discusses improvements made to the quality of Doppler weather radar products together with advances in image-processing techniques, technology transfer, and the assessment of operational benefits. Close collaboration between researchers and operational decision-makers via real-time prototypes was a critical element of system development.

These ground-based systems have been used operationally for over 20 years at 79 major airports and all enroute facilities in the US. No major US fatal airline accidents due to low-altitude wind shear occurred during that period due to the combination of the systems discussed in the book, improved pilot training, and airborne wind-shear warning systems. Summer aviation delays due to weather have been significantly reduced with estimated passenger and airline benefits of over several hundred million dollars per year. An additional benefit has been improved productivity of the air traffic control staff (e.g., reduced workload).

The book also discusses the status of similar developments in countries other than the US as well as advanced technologies (e.g., lidars and AI) that are in development.