2-6-4

Issuing Weather and Chaff Areas

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Controllers must issue pertinent information on observed/reported weather and chaff areas to potentially affected aircraft. Define the area of coverage in terms of:
1. Azimuth (by referring to the 12‐hour clock) and distance from the aircraft and/or
2. The general width of the area and the area of coverage in terms of fixes or distance and direction from fixes.
  Note
  
  Weather significant to the safety of aircraft includes conditions such as funnel cloud activity, lines of thunderstorms, embedded thunderstorms, large hail, wind shear, microbursts, moderate to extreme turbulence (including CAT), and light to severe icing.
  
  Reference
  
  AIM, Para 7-1-12, ATC Inflight Weather Avoidance Assistance.
  
  Phraseology
  
  WEATHER/CHAFF AREA BETWEEN (number) O'CLOCK AND (number) O'CLOCK (number) MILES, and/or (number) MILE BAND OF WEATHER/CHAFF FROM (fix or number of miles and direction from fix) TO (fix or number of miles and direction from fix).
Inform any tower for which you provide approach control services of observed precipitation on radar which is likely to affect their operations.
Use the term “weather” when describing satellite‐derived weather, e.g., Offshore Precipitation Capability (OPC), using the phraseology in subparagraph a above. Do not issue intensity based on satellite‐derived weather.
Use the term “precipitation” when describing radar-derived weather. Issue the precipitation intensity from the lowest descriptor (LIGHT) to the highest descriptor (EXTREME) when that information is available. Do not use the word “turbulence” in describing radar-derived weather.
1. LIGHT.
2. MODERATE.
3. HEAVY.
4. EXTREME.
  Note
  
  Light precipitation is not displayed in ERAM.
  
  Phraseology
  
  AREA OF (Intensity) PRECIPITATION BETWEEN (number) O'CLOCK AND (number) O'CLOCK, (number) MILES, MOVING (direction) AT (number) KNOTS, TOPS (altitude). AREA IS (number) MILES IN DIAMETER.
  Example
  1. “Area of heavy precipitation between ten o'clock and two o'clock, one five miles. Area is two five miles in diameter.”
  2. “Area of heavy to extreme precipitation between ten o'clock and two o'clock, one five miles. Area is two five miles in diameter.”
  Reference
  
  P/CG Term - Precipitation Radar Weather Descriptions.
TERMINAL: In STARS, correlate precipitation descriptors from subparagraph d as follows:
1. Level 1 = LIGHT
2. Level 2 = MODERATE
3. Levels 3 and 4 = HEAVY
4. Levels 5 and 6 = EXTREME
When precipitation intensity information is not available.
Phraseology

AREA OF PRECIPITATION BETWEEN (number) O'CLOCK AND (number) O'CLOCK, (number) MILES. MOVING (direction) AT (number) KNOTS, TOPS (altitude). AREA IS (number) MILES IN DIAMETER, INTENSITY UNKNOWN.

Example

“Area of precipitation between one o'clock and three o'clock, three five miles moving south at one five knots, tops flight level three three zero. Area is three zero miles in diameter, intensity unknown.”

Note

Phraseology using precipitation intensity descriptions is only applicable when the radar precipitation intensity information is determined by NWS radar equipment or NAS ground based digitized radar equipment with weather capabilities. This precipitation may not reach the surface.
EN ROUTE. When issuing precipitation intensity, use the following:
1. Describe the lowest displayable precipitation intensity as MODERATE.
2. Describe the highest displayable precipitation intensity as HEAVY to EXTREME.
  Phraseology
  
  AREA OF (Intensity) PRECIPITATION BETWEEN (number) O'CLOCK and (number) O'CLOCK, (number) MILES, MOVING (direction) AT (number) KNOTS, TOPS (altitude). If applicable, AREA IS (number) MILES IN DIAMETER.
  Example
  1. “Area of moderate precipitation between ten o'clock and one o'clock, three zero miles moving east at two zero knots, tops flight level three seven zero.
  2. “Area of moderate precipitation between ten o'clock and three o'clock, two zero miles. Area is two five miles in diameter.”
Controllers must ensure that the highest available level of precipitation intensity within their area of jurisdiction is displayed unless operational/equipment limitations exist.
When requested by the pilot, provide radar navigational guidance and/or approve deviations around weather or chaff areas. In areas of significantweather, plan ahead and be prepared to suggest, upon pilot request, the use of alternative routes/altitudes.
1. An approval for lateral deviation authorizes the pilot to maneuver left or right within the lateral limits specified in the clearance.
  Reference
  
  AIM, Para 7-1-12, ATC Inflight Weather Avoidance Assistance, Subpara b1(b).
2. When approving a weather deviation for an aircraft that had previously been issued a crossing altitude, including climb via or descend via clearances, issue an altitude to maintain and, if necessary, assign a speed along with the clearance to deviate. If you intend on clearing the aircraft to resume the procedure, advise the pilot.
  Phraseology
  
  DEVIATION (restrictions, if necessary) APPROVED, MAINTAIN (altitude), (if necessary) MAINTAIN (speed), (if applicable) EXPECT TO RESUME (SID/STAR, etc.) AT (NAVAID, fix/waypoint).
  
  Note
  
  After a climb via or descend via clearance has been issued, a vector/deviation off of a SID/STAR cancels all published altitude and speed restrictions on the procedure. The aircraft's Flight Management System (FMS) may be unable to process crossing altitude restrictions once the aircraft leaves the SID/STAR lateral path. Without an assigned altitude, the aircraft's FMS may revert to leveling off at the altitude set by the pilot, which may be the SID/STAR published top or bottom altitude.
  
  Reference
  
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-2-5, Route or Altitude Amendments.
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-6-1, Application.
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-6-2, Methods.
3. If a pilot enters your area of jurisdiction already deviating for weather, advise the pilot of any additional weather which may affect the route.
  Note
  
  When aircraft are deviating around weather and transitioning from sector to sector, unless previously coordinated, the receiving controller should not assume that the transferring controller has issued weather affecting the aircraft's route of flight.
4. If traffic and airspace (i.e., special use airspace boundaries, LOA constraints) permit, combine the approval for weather deviation with a clearance on course.
  Phraseology
  
  DEVIATION (restrictions if necessary) APPROVED, WHEN ABLE, PROCEED DIRECT (name of NAVAID/WAYPOINT/FIX)
  or
  DEVIATION (restrictions if necessary) APPROVED, WHEN ABLE, FLY HEADING (degrees), VECTOR TO JOIN (airway) AND ADVISE.
  Example
  1. “Deviation 20 degrees right approved, when able proceed direct O'Neill VORTAC and advise.” En Route: The corresponding fourth line entry is “D20R/ONL” or “D20R/F.”
  2. “Deviation 30 degrees left approved, when able fly heading zero niner zero, vector to join J324 and advise.” En Route: In this case the free text character limitation prevents use of fourth line coordination and verbal coordination is required.
5. If traffic or airspace prevents you from clearing the aircraft on course at the time of the approval for a weather deviation, instruct the pilot to advise when clear of weather.
  Phraseology
  
  DEVIATION (restrictions if necessary) APPROVED, ADVISE CLEAR OF WEATHER.
  
  Example
  
  “Deviation North of course approved, advise clear of weather.”
  En Route: In this case the corresponding fourth line entry is “DN,” and the receiving controller must provide a clearance to rejoin the route in accordance with paragraph 2-1-15 c.
When a deviation cannot be approved as requested because of traffic, take an alternate course of action that provides positive control for trafficresolution and satisfies the pilot's need to avoid weather.
Phraseology

UNABLE REQUESTED DEVIATION, FLY HEADING (heading), ADVISE CLEAR OF WEATHER
or
UNABLE REQUESTED DEVIATION, TURN (number of degrees) DEGREES (left or right) VECTOR FOR TRAFFIC, ADVISE CLEAR OF WEATHER,

Example

“Unable requested deviation, turn thirty degrees right vector for traffic, advise clear of weather.”
When forwarding weather deviation information, the transferring controller must clearly coordinate the nature of the route guidance service being provided. This coordination should include, but is not limited to: assigned headings, suggested headings, pilot-initiated deviations. Coordination can be accomplished by: verbal, automated, or predetermined procedures. Emphasis should be made between: controller assigned headings, suggested headings, or pilot initiated deviations.
Example

“(call sign) assigned heading three three zero for weather avoidance”
“(call sign) deviating west, pilot requested…”

Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-14, Coordinate Use Of Airspace.
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-5, Transferring Controller Handoff.
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-6, Receiving Controller Handoff.
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-9, Prearranged Coordination.
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-10, En Route Fourth Line Data Block Usage.
En Route Fourth Line Data Transfer
1. The inclusion of /(NAVAID) or /(waypoint), when preceded by the designated characters for weather deviations, indicates that a pilot has been authorized to deviate for weather and rejoin the route at the specified NAVAID or waypoint. The use of /F, following the designated weather deviation characters, indicates that a pilot has been authorized to deviate and rejoin the route of flight at the next NAVAID or waypoint in the flight plan.
  Reference
  
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-10, En Route Fourth Line Data Block Usage.
  
  Example
  
  “Deviation twenty degrees right approved, when able proceed direct O'Neill VORTAC and advise.” In this case, the corresponding fourth line entry is “D20R/ONL,” or “D20R/F” if O'Neill is the next NAVAID in the flight plan.
2. The absence of a NAVAID, waypoint, or /F in the fourth line indicates that:
  1. The pilot has been authorized to deviate for weather only, and the receiving controller must provide a clearance to rejoin the route in accordance with paragraph 2-1-15c.
    Example
    
    “Deviation twenty degrees right approved, advise clear of weather.”
  2. The free text character limitation prevents the use of fourth line coordination. Verbal coordination is required.
    Example
    
    “Deviation 30 degrees left approved, when able fly heading zero niner zero, vector to join J324 and advise.”
The supervisory traffic management coordinator-in-charge/operations supervisor/ controller‐in‐charge must verify the digitized radar weather information by the best means available (e.g., pilot reports, local tower personnel, etc.) if the weather data displayed by digitized radar is reported as questionable or erroneous. Errors in weather radar presentation must be reported to the technical operations technician and the air traffic supervisor must determine if the digitized radar derived weather data is to be displayed and a NOTAM distributed.
Note

Anomalous propagation (AP) is a natural occurrence affecting radar and does not in itself constitute a weather circuit failure.