What does AIRMET stand for?

AIRMET stands for "AIRMET means advisory for in-flight weather conditions." This designation is specific to the aviation community and is used to alert pilots and other aviation personnel to potentially hazardous weather conditions that could affect the safety of flight operations, particularly for smaller aircraft. AIRMETs provide information about a range of weather phenomena, including turbulence, icing, and low visibility, which are essential for pilots to consider during flight planning and in-flight decision-making.

The emphasis on the advisory aspect highlights that AIRMETs are not regulatory but rather advisory in nature, providing valuable information to help ensure safe flying conditions. Understanding AIRMETs is crucial for aviation safety, particularly because these advisories cater to a subset of weather phenomena that may not reach the criteria for the more severe SIGMETs, which are issued for significant weather events likely to impact larger aircraft.