A Quick Introduction to Your National Weather Service Office

Note:  This was my first article for the General Aviation Council of Hawaii newsletter.  It was first published in Summer 2011. –JB

Map of the WFO Honolulu aviation area of responsibility. Aviation forecasts include SIGMETs, AIRMETs, TAFs, and ROFORs.

Map of the WFO Honolulu aviation area of responsibility. Aviation forecasts include SIGMETs, AIRMETs, TAFs, and ROFORs.

Located on the UH-Manoa campus, the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Honolulu provides aviation forecasts and warnings for over 8 million square miles of the central and western Pacific. The office has 39 employees, including meteorologists, technicians, and support staff. There are at least four meteorologists on duty 24 hours a day, with one person dedicated to aviation forecasts.

WFO Honolulu is one of three Meteorological Watch Offices (MWOs) in the United States, along with the Aviation Weather Center in Kansas City, MO, and the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit in Anchorage, AK. MWOs are designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization to maintain a continuous watch over weather conditions that affect flight operations, and to issue necessary warnings and forecasts for the aviation community.

As a forecast office and MWO, WFO Honolulu is responsible for the following aviation products:

  • SIGMETs for the Oakland Oceanic FIR south of 30°N and west of 140°W
  • AIRMETs for the Main Hawaiian Islands (out to 40 nm from shore)
  • Area Forecasts for the Main Hawaiian Islands (out to 40 nm from shore)
  • TAFs for the following 9 airports in Hawaii, plus Midway (MDY) and Pago Pago, AS (PPG)
    • LIH, JRF, HNL, MKK, LNY, JHM, OGG, KOA, ITO
  • Route Forecasts from SFO/SBA to HNL for low-level flights
  • Forecast Discussions for the Main Hawaiian Islands describing the meteorological thinking behind the forecast
  • Winds/Temperatures Aloft (automated from computer model data)

If you have question about any of these forecast products, you can call the office at 808-973-5286. (Just remember that while we can answer your questions, we can’t provide flight briefings.)

This has been just a brief overview of what we do at WFO Honolulu. In addition, I would like to encourage you to provide feedback to us. The PIREPs we receive in real time are extremely helpful to our aviation forecasters. In addition, we always welcome constructive comments and suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to contact me either through the phone number above, or the email address below.

John Bravender
Aviation Program Manager
National Weather Service Honolulu