It’s easy to think a quick glance at the METAR is enough, especially if you’re flying out of Akron–Canton (KCAK) on a clear morning. But weather briefings are about more than just conditions at departure and destination.
Picture a Cirrus SR22 departing KCAK for a business trip to Detroit. The METAR shows clear skies at both airports. Perfect, right? Except, halfway across Lake Erie, a line of convective activity is building. Without checking radar, prog charts, and NOTAMs, the pilot may be forced into an unplanned diversion.
A full briefing means more than the “green dots” on your EFB. Review TAFs for trends, look at winds aloft for fuel planning, and check for AIRMETs or SIGMETs along your route. Pay attention to PIREPs from other pilots in your area—they often tell the real story.
At KCAK, it’s common to see lake-effect weather sneak in, even when the field is reporting VFR. A little extra planning helps avoid surprises in flight.
Don’t just check the weather, understand the weather. The air doesn’t care what the METAR says when storms are building on your route.