Travelrific® Travel Journal

Meet the Weather Experts

July 19, 2010 8:00 am

By Linda Tancs

Weather is an unavoidable variable when it comes to travel. Ever wonder about the folks who provide aviation weather services? Although their role has come sharply into focus recently as a result of the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland’s volcano, there is actually an international volcanic ash program to provide worldwide warnings and advisories to aviation interests regarding volcanic ash hazards. Comprising Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, these experts provide ash movement and dispersion guidance to Meteorological Watch Offices and neighboring advisory centers. These centers are located in London, Toulouse, Washington, D.C., Montreal, Tokyo, Darwin, Wellington, Buenos Aires and Anchorage. Though the area of the Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center is one of the smallest areas, it covers air routes over some of the most active volcanic areas in the world. So the next time you see a weather expert, give ’em a smile. After all, they’ve got your best interests at heart.