Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28B (Color Print)

NEW! Released in April 2026, this is the 3rd edition of the FAA Aviation Weather Handbook. Suffix "B" was added to make it the Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28B.Printed in Color.This handbook cancels and supersedes FAA-H-8083-28A (2024), Aviation Weather Handbook, and contains several changes and updates.The Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28B consolidates the weather information from the following advisory circulars (AC) into one source document. By doing this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) intends to streamline access to the FAA’s weather documentation for users of the National Airspace System (NAS). The following AC's are now canceled:AC 00-6, Aviation WeatherAC 00-24, ThunderstormsAC 00-30, Clear Air Turbulence AvoidanceAC 00-45, Aviation Weather ServicesAC 00-54, Pilot Windshear GuideAC 00-57, Hazardous Mountain WindsThis handbook describes the United States (U.S.) aviation weather program, products, and services. It also documents weather theory and its application to aviation. The objective of this handbook is to help the pilot and operator understand the basics of weather, aviation weather hazards, and aviation weather products.The information included is not prescriptive. Furthermore, the guidance and recommendations in this handbook are not legally binding in their own right and will not be relied upon by the FAA as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative penalty. Conformity with the guidance and recommendations is solely voluntary and nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.The handbook is a consolidated source of weather information and, in some cases, best practices to assistwith providing safety for flight. The visualization of the products discussed in this handbook has evolved over the past decade with the use of internet websites. The use of static black and white depictions of aviation forecasts is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Today’s websites provide the products in color and offer options to select and overlay multiple pieces of weather information.Today’s aviation weather websites, including those of the National Weather Service (NWS), continue to improve the content and visualization of products. Unfortunately, it is not practical to update this handbook with every change to a weather product.Examples of weather products in this handbook represent one way of how they can be visualized on a user’s viewing device (e.g., computer, tablet, mobile phone, or cockpit display). The examples shown in this handbook are from NWS websites.This handbook is broken into three parts:Part 1: Overview of the United States Aviation Weather Service Program and Information. Part 2: Weather Theory and Aviation Hazards. Part 3: Technical Details Relating to Weather Products and Aviation Weather Tools. Read more