What is a primary source of weather data for flight planning?

A primary source of weather data for flight planning is a weather briefing obtained through services like ForeFlight. This option is particularly valuable because it aggregates a broad spectrum of weather information, including forecasts, current conditions, radar data, and potential hazards. ForeFlight and similar platforms provide pilots with comprehensive and up-to-date weather briefs that are essential for assessing flight safety, planning routes, and making informed decisions.

While other sources such as Air Traffic Control, private weather services, and pilot reports offer important insights, they often do not provide the same level of integrated data necessary for thorough flight planning. For example, pilot reports offer firsthand accounts of weather experienced in the air which can complement a briefing but are not standalone sources for planning. Private weather services can be excellent, but they typically function as secondary rather than primary resources, while Air Traffic Control primarily focuses on traffic management rather than comprehensive weather information. Therefore, using a service like ForeFlight ensures pilots are relying on a robust and authoritative source for making critical flight decisions.