PlaneWX queries three independent weather models at multiple points along your route, builds consensus with confidence scoring, and corroborates with real-world pilot reports and government advisories — giving you altitude-specific icing and turbulence intelligence that no other tool provides to general aviation pilots.
Pilots today rely on two sources that were never designed for route-specific, altitude-specific decision-making.
PlaneWX’s approach: Instead of relying on broad products or sparse reports, we query three independent numerical weather models at multiple points along your specific route — then corroborate the model output with real-world observations.
Two from NOAA, one from Europe. Each has different strengths — and comparing them gives us confidence scoring that no single model can provide.
NOAA’s highest-resolution hourly model — the gold standard for short-range icing and turbulence forecasts.
3 km
Every hour
0–18 hours
Terrain effects, cloud layers, convection
NOAA’s primary global model — the backbone of most weather predictions worldwide.
~13 km
4× daily
0–16 days
Big-picture trends, jet stream, extended range
Widely regarded as the world’s most accurate global forecast model.
~9 km
4× daily
0–10 days
Overall accuracy, moisture, jet stream dynamics
No single model is always right. By comparing three independent models, PlaneWX determines how much to trust the forecast. When all three agree, you can fly with high confidence. When they disagree, that disagreement is itself valuable intelligence — it tells you the atmosphere is uncertain and conditions could go either way.
HIGH Confidence
Unanimous
All three models agree. Trust the forecast.
MODERATE Confidence
Majority
Most models agree, one differs. Likely correct, but uncertainty exists.
LOW Confidence
Split
Models disagree. The atmosphere is uncertain. Plan conservatively.
PlaneWX doesn’t show you a colored polygon on a map. We sample your exact route.
3–7
Sample points along your route
8
Pressure levels at each point (925–200 hPa)
~120
Data points per flight (300 NM typical)
At each sample point, all three models provide temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, cloud cover, and freezing level. PlaneWX computes icing probability, severity, turbulence severity, wind shear, and Richardson number — then builds consensus across models.
Icing requires two ingredients simultaneously: subfreezing temperatures (0°C to -20°C) and visible moisture (relative humidity ≥ 80%). PlaneWX checks both at each of 8 altitude levels along your route, from each of three models.
0°C to -10°C: Maximum icing risk — supercooled water droplets most common
-10°C to -20°C: Decreasing risk — mixed phase (some ice crystals, some liquid)
Below -20°C: Glaciated — ice crystals predominate, minimal airframe icing
Safety-First Consensus
For icing, PlaneWX uses worst-case across models. If any model predicts moderate icing at your cruise altitude, the consensus reflects moderate icing — even if the other two models show light. Missing icing has severe consequences; we err on the side of caution.
PlaneWX derives Clear Air Turbulence from two fundamental atmospheric quantities computed at every altitude level from each model’s wind and temperature fields.
The change in wind speed between two altitude levels (kt/1000ft). When wind speed changes rapidly with altitude — near jet streams, fronts, or inversions — the resulting shear generates turbulence.
≥12
Light
≥20
Moderate
≥30
Severe
kt/1000ft — calibrated for bulk-layer model resolution
The stability gate. Ri measures the balance between thermal stability (which suppresses turbulence) and wind shear (which generates it). Think of it as the door — it must be open for turbulence to occur.
Unlike icing (where we use worst-case), turbulence consensus uses the median across models. Wind field differences can cause one model to see moderate shear where others see none — using the maximum would produce too many false alarms.
Model Analysis
PIREPs & G-AIRMETs
Together, model analysis and observation data cover the full spectrum of turbulence types.
Model predictions are powerful, but they’re forecasts — not observations. PlaneWX fuses model output with PIREPs, AIRMETs, G-AIRMETs, and SIGMETs to produce a single, coherent assessment.
This corroboration loop is unique to PlaneWX. Traditional tools show model overlays, G-AIRMETs, and PIREPs as separate layers. PlaneWX synthesizes them into a single, coherent assessment with transparent confidence — so you know not just what to expect, but how much to trust it.
Most weather apps present conclusions without evidence. PlaneWX shows you everything.
Temperature, RH, wind, shear, Ri at every sample point and altitude — per model
See each model’s individual assessment. Disagree with the consensus? The data is there.
Tap “Sources” on any briefing section to see exactly which products contributed
PlaneWX vs. what pilots have today
| Capability | PlaneWX | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-model comparison | 3 independent models | Single product |
| Confidence scoring | Unanimous / Majority / Split | Not available |
| Route-specific sampling | 3–7 points along YOUR route | Broad geographic areas |
| Altitude-specific assessment | 8 pressure levels per point | Altitude range only |
| Cloud layer boundaries | RH-derived at each sample point | Not provided |
| Ice type prediction | Clear / rime / mixed | Not provided |
| SLD / warm nose detection | Temperature profile scanning | SLD AIRMETs only |
| Total icing exposure | Climb / cruise / descent minutes | Not calculated |
| Turbulence physics | Wind shear + Richardson number | Not available to pilots |
| PIREP / AIRMET corroboration | Fused with model output | Displayed separately |
| Personal minimums | Soft + hard limits per aircraft | Generic severity |
| Raw data access | Full transparency | Conclusions only |
The same icing conditions produce very different WX Scores for different pilots — and that’s by design. PlaneWX applies your personal minimums and aircraft capabilities to every analysis.
The severity you’re comfortable with. Exceeding this enters the caution zone with graduated deductions.
Your absolute maximum. Exceeding this is unfavorable — WX Score drops to 0%. Non-FIKI aircraft are always unfavorable for any icing.
Start a free trial and create a briefing for your next flight. You’ll see multi-model icing and turbulence analysis, confidence scoring, and full data transparency — all tailored to your aircraft and minimums.