If the observed weather differs from the current observation at a controlled airport, what should you do?

If the observed weather differs from the current observation at a controlled airport, what should you do?

• A. Contact ATC and request an updated observation
• B. Ignore the difference
• C. Notify the crew only after arrival
• D. File a weather discrepancy report before departure

Answer: (A)

When weather seen in person at a controlled field doesn’t match the current official observation, you must obtain the latest weather information from ATC. The flight team relies on real-time data (METAR/ATIS-equivalents) for safe takeoff, approach, and landing decisions, so if you notice a difference, asking ATC for an updated observation keeps you working with current conditions and helps you adjust planned actions accordingly. Ignoring the discrepancy would mean basing decisions on potentially outdated data, and waiting to notify others only after arrival won’t help with in-flight safety. Filing a weather discrepancy report before departure is not the immediate action needed to operate safely; the priority is to get a fresh observation from ATC.

When weather seen in person at a controlled field doesn’t match the current official observation, you must obtain the latest weather information from ATC. The flight team relies on real-time data (METAR/ATIS-equivalents) for safe takeoff, approach, and landing decisions, so if you notice a difference, asking ATC for an updated observation keeps you working with current conditions and helps you adjust planned actions accordingly. Ignoring the discrepancy would mean basing decisions on potentially outdated data, and waiting to notify others only after arrival won’t help with in-flight safety. Filing a weather discrepancy report before departure is not the immediate action needed to operate safely; the priority is to get a fresh observation from ATC.