DTN’s Flight Hazard Data is also available as a contoured polygon shape file and in GeoJSON.
There are several flight hazard layers that will be provided as part of the flight planning data set. These layers may (and usually will) update at different intervals or frequencies than the environmental data. They are updated and delivered as they are issued. Each layer will be two dimensional, and valid only for a single flight level. The flight hazard parameters and flight levels are summarized below:
Level – Pressure level (hPa)
FL – Flight Level (100’s of feet AMSL unless otherwise noted)
Turb – Turbulence (edr)
Ice – Icing Severity (categorical)
HIWC – High Ice Water Content
VA – Volcanic Ash (categorical)
Tstorm – Thunderstorm coverage (categorical) implied for all levels
Ozone – Limiting concentrations of Ozone (ppm)
Note: The Eddy dissipation Rate Turbulence (EDR) will have an update on Flight Levels in March 2022. FL’s 080, 120, 160, 200, 220, 260 and 280 will be added to provide better forecast during Climb and Descend.
| Level | FL | Turb | Ice | HIWC | VA | Tstorm | Ozone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Entire Atmosphere |
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
|
980 |
010 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
900 |
030 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
850 |
050 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
800 |
080 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
700 |
100 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
650 |
120 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
600 |
140 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
550 |
160 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
500 |
180 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
475 |
200 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
425 |
220 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
400 |
240 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
375 |
260 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
350 |
270 |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
325 |
280 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
300 |
300 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
275 |
320 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
260 |
330 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
250 |
340 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
230 |
350 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
225 |
360 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
215 |
370 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
210 |
380 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
200 |
390 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
190 |
400 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
180 |
410 |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
160 |
430 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
150 |
450 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
530 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Turbulence
These polygons shape files identify worldwide forecast areas of possible atmospheric turbulence and turbulence severity in three hour increments for the next 36 hours Turbulence forecast shape files are updated every hour.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
|
Units |
Eddy Dissipation Rate (edr) |
|
Contour Interval |
0.10 edr |
|
Forecast Interval |
NAM from 01 through 18 hours |
|
Update frequency |
NAM – Hourly |
|
Levels |
There is one shape file for each Flight Level in the table above, plus one shape file showing the highest (maximum) value in all flight levels, for each forecast interval. |
Shapefile Name: fh_(fm)G(I)TB(fh)(md)(mh).shp
Where :
(fm) = Forecast model (NX – NAM Hourly from 01 to 18hrs and WP – Global from 03 to 36hrs updates every 3 hours)
(I) = Flight level code (1 character, see code listing below)
(fh) = Forecast hour code (2 digits) NX – hourly from 01-18, WP – 3 Hours from 03-36)
(md) = model run day (GMT – 2 digits)
(mh) = model run hour (GMT – 2 digits)
NOTE: if you require shapefiles with a lower polygon count, DTN can offer those files to you with the prefix ‘fg_’ instead of ‘fh_’
| Level Codes (I) (FL in 100’s of feet) |
|
|---|---|
|
0 (zero) |
FL200 |
|
6 |
FL320 |
|
7 |
FL370 |
|
8 |
FL430 |
|
9 |
FL410 |
|
B |
FL010 |
|
C |
FL160 |
|
D |
FL050 |
|
E |
FL100 |
|
F |
FL180 |
|
G |
FL240 |
|
H |
FL300 |
|
I |
FL340 |
|
J |
FL390 |
|
K |
FL450 |
|
L |
FL530 |
|
M |
FL360 |
|
N |
FL380 |
|
O |
FL400 |
|
P |
FL030 |
|
Q |
FL220 |
|
R |
FL080 |
|
S |
FL120 |
|
T |
FL350 |
|
U |
FL140 |
|
V |
FL330 |
|
W |
FL260 |
|
X |
FL270 |
|
Y |
FL280 |
Fields. Features in this product have the following attributes:
| Name | Type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PolygonNum |
Number (3) |
n/a |
Polygon identification number |
|
ValidTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Forecast valid time (GMT) |
|
ModelTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Model run time (GMT) |
|
TotalPts |
Number (4) |
n/a |
Total number of polygon vertices |
|
Latitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
Longitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
TurbValue |
Number (6) |
Edr |
Eddy Dissipation Rate (edr) value between 0-1 |
|
FlightLevel |
Number (6) |
Ft |
Altitude |
Icing
These polygons shape files identify worldwide forecast areas of possible icing in 1 to 3 hour increments for the next 18 to 36 hours. Icing forecast shape files are updated every 1 to 6 hours.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
|
Units |
Categorical Light, Moderate and Severe |
|
Contour Interval |
|
|
Forecast Interval |
US : 1 Hour through 18 hours |
|
Update frequency |
US : Hourly |
|
Levels |
There is one shape file for each Flight Level in the table below for each aircraft group (Small, Medium, Large), plus one shape file showing the highest (maximum) value in all flight levels, for each forecast interval and each aircraft group. |
Shapefile Name: fh_(fm)G(I)I(at)(fh)(md)(mh).shp
Where :
(fm) = Forecast model (NX – NAM Hourly from 01 to 18hrs and WP – Global from 06 to 36hrs updates every 6 hours)
(I) = Flight level code (1 character, see code listing below)
(at) = Aircraft type (1 character) S = Small, I – Medium, L = Large, H = Helicopter
(fh) = Forecast hour code (2 digits) NX – hourly from 01-18, WP – 3 Hours from 06-36)
(md) = model run day (GMT – 2 digits)
(mh) = model run hour (GMT – 2 digits; 00, 06, 12, OR 18)
Level Codes (I):
B= FL010
P= FL030
D= FL050
R= FL080 – heli only
E= FL100
U= FL140
F= FL180
G= FL240
X= FL270
Z= All Levels Max Icing
Fields. Features in this product have the following attributes:
| Name | Type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PolygonNum |
Number (3) |
n/a |
Polygon identification number |
|
ValidTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Forecast valid time (GMT) |
|
ModelTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Model run time (GMT) |
|
TotalPts |
Number (4) |
n/a |
Total number of polygon vertices |
|
Latitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
Longitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
IcingCat |
Number (6) |
0 = None |
Category |
|
FlightLevel |
Number (6) |
Feet |
Flight level of icing area |
|
Top |
Number(6) |
Feet |
Top of the Icing area (only in All Levels) |
|
Base |
Number(6) |
Feet |
Base of Icing area (only in All Levels) |
Volcanic Ash
These polygons shape files identify worldwide forecast areas of ash plumes from active volcanoes, as issued by the ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC). The volcanic ash forecasts are issued in six hour increments for the next 24 hours, and are updated every hour.
Shapefile Name: VAAA??yymmddhh
Fields. Features in this product have the following attributes:
| Name | Type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
RecordID |
Number (10) |
n/a |
Record identifier |
|
TotalPoint |
Number (10) |
n/a |
Number of vertices used to create area |
|
StationID |
String (9) |
n/a |
VAAC station identifer |
|
ValidTime |
String (20) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Valid date and time of volcanic ash area |
|
IssueTime |
String (20) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Date and time advisory issued by VAAC |
|
VAAC |
String (25) |
n/a |
Name of Volcanic Ash Advisory Center that issued advisory |
|
VolcanoNam |
String (50) |
n/a |
Name of volcano producing area of ash |
|
VolcanoNum |
String (10) |
n/a |
Identifier of volcano producing area of ash |
|
PolygonNum |
Number (10) |
n/a |
Unique identifer of area (for DTN use) |
|
PointNum |
Number (3) |
n/a |
One of vertices used to create area |
|
Latitude |
Number (18) |
decimal degrees |
Latitude of PointNum |
|
Longitude |
Number (18) |
decimal degrees |
Longitude of PointNum |
|
VolcanoLat |
Number (18) |
decimal degrees |
Latitude of volcano |
|
VolcanoLon |
Number (18) |
decimal degrees |
Longitude of volcano |
|
AreaName |
String (50) |
n/a |
General location of volcano |
|
SummitElev |
Number (9) |
meters |
Elevation of volcano’s peak |
|
AdvisoryNu |
String (15) |
n/a |
VAAC advisory number |
|
InfoSource |
String (150) |
n/a |
Source used to issue resulting advisory |
|
AviationCo |
String (15) |
n/a |
Color code of area for aviation charts |
|
IsObserved |
Number (3) |
n/a |
Determines whether advisory is for observed (1) or predicted (0) ash area |
|
BottomElev |
Number (10) |
ft MSL |
Lowest elevation of ash observed or expected in area (0 is surface) |
|
TopElev |
Number (10) |
ft MSL |
Highest elevation of ash observed or expected in area (0 is unknown) |
|
Remark1 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Miscellaneous remarks |
|
Remark2 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Miscellaneous remarks |
|
Remark3 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Miscellaneous remarks |
|
MoveDirect |
String (15) |
degrees |
Direction of area movement, if known |
|
MoveSpeed |
Number (10) |
kts |
Speed of area movement, if known |
|
Region |
Number (10) |
n/a |
Region identifer, if known |
|
SubRegion |
Number (10) |
n/a |
Sub-region identifer, if known |
|
ErptDet1 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet2 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet3 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet4 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet5 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet6 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet7 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet8 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet9 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet10 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet11 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet12 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet13 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet14 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet15 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet16 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet17 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet18 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet19 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
|
ErptDet20 |
String (220) |
n/a |
Text from VAAC bulletin |
Thunderstorms
These polygons shape files identify worldwide forecast areas of possible convective activity in 1 to 3 hour increments for the next 18 to 36 hours Thunderstorm forecast shape files are updated every 1 to 6 hours.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
|
Units |
Vertical Velocity in Meters/Second |
|
Contour Interval |
Contoured every 5 m/s |
|
Forecast Interval |
US : 1 Hour out to 18 hours |
|
Update frequency |
US : Hourly |
|
Levels |
There is a single shape file for all levels that will contain the Max Vertical velocity updraft as well as the Storm TOPs. |
Shapefile Name: fh_(fm)GZB4(fh)(md)(mh).shp
Where :
(fm) = Forecast model (NX – NAM Hourly from 01 to 18hrs and WP – Global from 06 to 36hrs updates every 3 hours)
(fh) = Forecast hour code (2 digits) NX – hourly from 01-18, WP – 3 Hours from 06-36)
(md) = model run day (GMT – 2 digits)
(mh) = model run hour (GMT – 2 digits)
Fields. Features in this product have the following attributes:
| Name | Type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PolygonNum |
Number (3) |
n/a |
Polygon identification number |
|
ValidTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Forecast valid time (GMT) |
|
ModelTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Model run time (GMT) |
|
TotalPts |
Number (4) |
n/a |
Total number of polygon vertices |
|
Latitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
Longitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
VertVlvt |
Number (3) |
n/a |
Maximum Vertical velocity |
|
Top |
Number (3) |
100’s Feet |
Top of storm |
Ozone Forecast
These polygons shape files identify worldwide forecast areas of possible Ozone concentrations that could affect flights for some customers.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
|
Units |
Ozone Category 1 or 2 |
|
Contour Interval |
1 |
|
Forecast Interval |
06, 12, 18 and 24 hour |
|
Update frequency |
Every 6 hours |
Shapefile Name: WPGZOL(fh)(md)(mh).shp
Where :
(fh) = Forecast Hour (00 – Current, 06 , 12, 18, 24)
(md) = model run day (UTC – 2 digits)
(mh) = model run hour (UTC – 2 digits)
Fields. Features in this product have the following attributes:
| Name | Type | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PolygonNum |
Number (3) |
n/a |
Polygon identification number |
|
ValidTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Forecast valid time (GMT) |
|
ModelTime |
String (19) |
mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss |
Model run time (GMT) |
|
TotalPts |
Number (4) |
n/a |
Total number of polygon vertices |
|
Latitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
Longitude |
Number (14) |
decimal degrees |
Recommended location of contour label |
|
OzoneCat |
Number (1) |
1-2 |
Category of ozone concentrations |
Ozone Category Values are defined as follows:
1 = Ozone concentrations between 0.10-0.25ppm exist above FLxxx where xxx is between 270 and 300
2 = Ozone concentrations of 0.25ppm exist above FL270