The GFA Tool: Graphical Forecasts for Aviation
The Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)tool is the Aviation Weather Center's interactive map of current and forecast weather across the continental U.S. — clouds and ceilings, visibility and precipitation, turbulence, and icing. This guide explains what each layer shows and how to read the time steps, so you can use it confidently for a preflight briefing and on your FAA written test.
Open the live GFA tool (aviationweather.gov) →What the GFA is (and what it replaced)
The GFA is a suite of web-based graphics that display observations, analyses, and short-range forecasts of aviation weather. In 2017 it replaced the textual Area Forecast (FA) for the lower 48 states — the FA remains in use for Alaska, Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Instead of decoding a block of coded text, you read an area-wide picture and scrub a time slider to watch the weather evolve.
The tool spans roughly 14 hours of past data to 18 hours of forecast, in selectable time steps, and overlays METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, and AIRMET/SIGMET areas on the same map so you can cross-check.
The three forecast domains
1 · Aviation Cloud & Weather
Ceilings and cloud cover, surface visibility, precipitation type and intensity, and surface features (fronts, pressure centers). Ceilings and visibility are what drive your VFR / MVFR / IFR / LIFR flight-category picture, so this is usually the first layer to check for a go/no-go read.
2 · Turbulence
Forecast turbulence at low and high levels, aligned with AIRMET Tango. Use it to anticipate where a bumpy ride — or a smoother altitude — is likely along your route.
3 · Icing
Forecast icing and freezing levels, aligned with AIRMET Zulu. Critical any time you might climb or cruise near the freezing level in visible moisture.
How to read it, step by step
- Pick the domain (Clouds & Weather, Turbulence, or Icing) for the question you're answering.
- Set the time step with the slider to your planned departure and en-route times — the map redraws for that valid time.
- Read the shaded areas and symbols against the legend: ceilings/visibility bands, precip, turbulence and icing regions and their altitudes.
- Cross-check the overlays — hover METARs/TAFs/PIREPs and AIRMET/SIGMET boundaries to confirm the graphical picture against point observations.
- Combine with the rest of your briefing — winds/temps aloft, NOTAMs, and a standard briefing — before you decide.
For information and study only — not a substitute for an official preflight weather briefing.
Go deeper (free study articles)
Related tools: METAR & TAF Decoder · all free tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the GFA tool?
The Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) tool is a set of interactive weather maps from the NOAA/FAA Aviation Weather Center. It shows current observations and forecasts of clouds, weather, visibility, winds, turbulence, and icing across the continental U.S., and it replaced the old textual Area Forecast (FA) for the lower 48 in 2017.
What does the GFA replace?
For the continental United States, the GFA replaced the textual Area Forecast (FA). The FA is still issued for Alaska, Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. The GFA presents the same kind of area-wide picture in graphical form instead of coded text.
How far out does the GFA forecast?
The GFA covers roughly 14 hours in the past (observations and recent analyses) out to 18 hours in the future, in selectable time steps. You scrub the time slider to see how ceilings, weather, turbulence, and icing are expected to evolve along your route.
Can I use the GFA for official flight planning?
The GFA is one product in a complete weather briefing, not a standalone flight-planning authority. Combine it with METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, AIRMETs/SIGMETs, winds and temperatures aloft, and NOTAMs, and get a standard briefing (e.g., via Leidos Flight Service / 1800wxbrief.com) before you fly.
What are the three GFA domains?
The GFA is organized into three forecast domains: (1) Aviation Cloud & Weather (ceilings, cloud cover, visibility, precipitation, and surface features), (2) Turbulence (low- and high-level, tied to AIRMET Tango), and (3) Icing (freezing levels and forecast icing, tied to AIRMET Zulu).
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