Aviation Glossary

HIWAS

Continuous recorded hazardous inflight weather forecasts broadcasted to airborne pilots over selected VOR outlets defined as an HIWAS BROADCAST AREA.

source: FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary

Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS): Service providing recorded weather forecasts broadcast to airborne pilots over selected VORs.

source: FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A)

Service providing recorded weather forecasts broadcast to airborne pilots over selected VORs.

source: FAA Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2)

Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS): Recorded weather forecasts broadcast to airborne pilots over selected VORs.

source: FAA Weight Shift Control Handbook (FAA-H-8083-5)

See Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service.

source: FAA Weight Shift Control Handbook (FAA-H-8083-5)

HIWAS is a national program for broadcasting hazardous weather information continuously over selected navigational aids (NAVAIDs). The broadcasts include advisories such as AIRMETs, SIGMETS, convective SIGMETs, and urgent PIREPs. These broadcasts are only a summary of the information, and pilots should contact an FSS/AFSS or En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) for detailed information.

The HIWAS broadcast area is defined as the area within 150 NM of HIWAS outlets.

HIWAS broadcasts are not interrupted or delayed except for emergency situations, when an aircraft requires immediate attention, or for reasonable use of the voice override capability on specific HIWAS outlets in order to use the limited Remote Communications Outlet (RCO) to maintain en route communications. The service is provided 24-hours a day. An announcement is made for no hazardous weather advisories.

Hazardous weather information is recorded if it is occurring within the HIWAS broadcast area. The broadcast includes the following elements:

A statement of introduction including the appropriate area(s) and a recording time.
A summary of Convective SIGMETs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, Urgent PIREPs, Aviation Watch Notification Messages, Center Weather Advisories, and any other weather such as isolated thunderstorms that are rapidly developing and increasing in intensity, or low ceilings and visibilities that are becoming widespread which are considered significant and are not included in a current hazardous weather advisory.
A request for PIREPs, if applicable.
A recommendation to contact AFSS/FSS/FLIGHT WATCH for additional details concerning hazardous weather.

Once the HIWAS broadcast is updated, an announcement will be made once on all communications/NAVAID frequencies except emergency, EFAS, and navigational frequencies already dedicated to continuous broadcast services. In the event a HIWAS broadcast area is out of service, an announcement is made on all communications/NAVAID frequencies except on emergency, EFAS, and navigational frequencies already dedicated to continuous broadcast services.

source: FAA/NOAA Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45G)