Weather
Live weather radar
Live National Weather Service radar for the US. If you see storms near your route, that's what pilots and dispatchers are looking at too, and planning around.
The live radar map loads when it comes into view.
Light rain or snowModerateHeavy rainStorms, hail
Radar: NOAA / National Weather Service base reflectivity mosaic, via nowCOAST. Public-domain US government data, shown as published. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. SafelyAboard isn't affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA, the NWS or OpenStreetMap. For loops and more layers, open the official NWS radar ↗.
A calm note: airliners don't fly through thunderstorms. They go around them. FAA guidance tells pilots to avoid severe storms by at least 20 miles, and air traffic controllers help with weather information and reroutes.1 Airliners also carry their own weather radar, which US rules require on transport airplanes.2 Storms on the map can mean a delay or a longer route. They don't mean your flight will go through them.
What the colors mean for your flight
- Blues and greens: light to moderate rain or snow. Airliners take off and land in this every day. At most, expect a smooth-ish climb through cloud and maybe a slower taxi.
- Yellows and oranges: heavier rain. Usually still routine. Pilots may pick a slightly different path, and busy airports can slow arrivals a little.
- Reds and purples: thunderstorms and possible hail. This is what crews steer well clear of. It usually means waiting on the ground, holding, or a detour, not flying through it. FAA guidance notes radar shows rain and hail, not turbulence itself.1
- Snow and ice at the airport can mean de-icing before takeoff, a routine step that adds a few minutes and keeps the wings clean.
- Wondering about bumps? Check the turbulence outlook for your route in plain English, or see the official turbulence forecasts, and remember: seat belt on whenever you're seated.
Want more detail?
- FAA National Airspace System status: live airport delays, ground stops and weather programs.3
- aviationweather.gov: the NWS Aviation Weather Center's maps, forecasts and airport weather reports.
- radar.weather.gov: the full NWS radar with loops and individual radar sites.
Delayed by weather? Our delayed flight page explains your options, and calm breathing helps with the wait.
Sources
- FAA, Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 7, Section 1: Meteorology (thunderstorms)
- eCFR, 14 CFR 121.357, Airborne weather radar equipment requirements
- FAA, National Airspace System status
- National Weather Service, Disclaimer (use of NWS data and products)
- NOAA nowCOAST, weather radar map services
- OpenStreetMap Foundation, Tile Usage Policy
Checked October 25, 2026.