What is the typical forecast period for a CWA?

• A. Up to 1 hour
• B. Within the next 2 hours
• C. Between 2 to 4 hours
• D. More than 6 hours

Answer: (B)

Center Weather Advisories are issued to warn pilots of weather that could affect flight operations in the near term, specifically within a short, actionable window. The typical forecast period is the next two hours from the time of issuance, which keeps pilots’ situational awareness current as conditions can change quickly en route. This brief window is why CWAs are not used for longer-range forecasts like four hours or more; those longer ranges are handled by other products. If conditions persist or change beyond two hours, updated advisories or other weather products are issued to reflect the evolving situation.