Aviation weather cameras cover much of Canada, Alaska, and Colorado. (Image: FAA)
Long-awaited FAA aviation weather cameras could soon be up and running in Hawaii. In November, the agency began engineering surveys required for the installation of the first 10 of 23 planned camera systems there.
Hawaii’s mountainous terrain, rapidly-changing weather conditions, and vexing microclimates often render traditional weather forecasts and reporting of little value. The deficiencies have long been cited as factors in aviation accidents there involving inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and the resulting loss of control, as well as controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). The NTSB and the state’s helitour industry have long called for a weather camera system similar to those already installed in Alaska and Colorado.