Back around 1973 I was allowed to visit the Minneapolis Center and also later the KMSP tower. I think I asked at that time if any controller screens showed any kind of weather info, particularly during TRWs, to allow them to vector aircraft around dangerous areas. I am a tech and aware of radar principles icluding that they generally require precip to render a return.I seem to recall that the ARTTS III (?) system in place did not show any storm info. I am curious if that still is generally true today, including shared tower radar for approach and departure.Just trivia but someone here might be able to answer. Thanks.

Controller equipment has come a long way since 1973. The new ARTS IIIE in use at most major terminals can show weather up to six different levels.The DSR equipment is use at Centers also has significant wx capability that is controller selectable.Larry C90

We were allowed to vector ac around wx with the old broadband radar. That stuff's long been taken out, early 80s I think. We lived with the "new generation" wx radar for many years. It amounted to lines (some short, some long) with "H"s denoting 'heavy' wx. Far from accurate. Really not good stuff.Within the past 6mos ZME (likely all Centers by now) have gotten an improved wx radar. It is multi-color and offhand I'd have to say it's an improvement over the past, but I still see aircraft when deviating turn directly into what I show could be a level 5. Obviously they're not. Consequently, we're still not permitted to issue specific vectors. A matter of liability I'm sure. However, we are allowed and expected to keep pilots informed of what we see, and SUGGEST headings :). Doug

I've never understood why the FAA hasn't cut a deal with the local TV stations all over the country. They clearly have very accurate doppler, right down to seeing the eye of tornadoes. Then again, if the TV stations can afford them, why can't the FAA (especially after spending over $6 billion and only now starting to improve things)? I don't remember all the stuff in the new systems Larry's talking about, but doesn't it have the coolest overlay, real weather display from doppler tied into the system? Sounds like it does. Let's hope it's better.

Perhaps mode-S transponders can be made to receive regional radar data back to aircraft in some manner during times of concern so pilts with aircraft so equipped can get an idea of long range diversion tactics. The on-board radar display can perhaps visually interpret that data when selected so let us say a line of trws can be seen. For those without on-board radar perhaps a display can still be installed so intelligent alternate decisions can be made.While local storm electrical interference might affect the data stream, the fact that it need not have a high real-time resolution (for regional data) would allow repeated data transfers between update periods so what packets are missed could be recovered. Think of it as an on-board fax machine.On board radar is great for short range determination but perhaps what I am describing would at least present an information accessory for weather presentation suitable perhaps in the future for smaller aircraft. METARS represent data at each place but a drawing or image presents a nice periodic summary.By the way, I do work at a TV station. Our (now auxilliary) doppler radar is a pedestal based adaptation of an airborne Collins radio-transmitter mounted to a seven foot dish. Our new radar sits in a hundred foot tower in a southern suburb (not too far from KMSP and the MSP center) in a kind of geodisic dome of thin material which gives the system greater effective gain and sensitivity for a reasonable amount of pulse power. Very efficient.In this market, some stations here compete on their radar presentation as an integral part of weather.

Just got an idea. Apparently, if I am correct, you can get some kind of regional weather export data out of FS. If not, you could retrieve export data from Active Sky WXRe for the current METAR. I won't ask you guys for a gauge, but perhaps an ATC advisory notice of a nearby trw condition could be developed. But perhaps that is a version 4 possibility. What drama that would add.