What is the Weather and Radar Processor (WARP) used for in aviation weather systems?

• A. It provides real-time, accurate, predictive, and integrated weather information in the NAS.
• B. It forecasts weather using satellites for flight planning.
• C. It records weather data for analysis after flights.
• D. It transmits weather alerts directly to pilots’ handheld devices.

Answer: (A)

WARP is all about delivering a real-time, integrated weather picture for the National Airspace System. It takes radar data and other meteorological inputs, processes them, and provides current storm locations, intensities, and movement, plus short-term predictions of where weather will go next. This enables pilots and air traffic controllers to see what’s happening now and what to expect in the near term, supporting safe routing and flight planning within the NAS. The other options describe activities outside this real-time, integrated processing role—such as forecasting from satellite data, recording data after flights, or sending alerts to handheld devices.