Brief response shape

skywatch brief outputs a single JSON object. Every field maps to an AIM section 7-1-5 slot.

Top-level fields

Field	Type	Description
`airport`	string \| null	ICAO identifier of the departure (or single) airport
`coordinates`	`[float, float]`	`[lat, lon]` of the airport or supplied coordinate
`wfo`	string	NWS Weather Forecast Office code responsible for the location
`fetched_at`	ISO8601 string	UTC timestamp when the brief was assembled
`departing_at`	ISO8601 string \| null	Supplied ETD, or null if not provided
`aim_section`	string	Always `"7-1-5"`
`note`	string \| null	Present for coordinate briefs; explains the nearest airport used
`destination`	string \| null	Present for route briefs; the `--to` airport ICAO ID
`adverse_conditions`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 1
`vfr_not_recommended`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 2
`synopsis`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 3 (currently unavailable)
`current_conditions`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 4
`enroute_forecast`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 5 (only populated for route briefs)
`destination_forecast`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 6
`winds_aloft`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 7
`notams`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 8 (currently unavailable)
`atc_delays`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 9 (currently unavailable)
`afd`	object	AIM 7-1-5 slot 10 — Area Forecast Discussion

Slot details

adverse_conditions

{
  "items": [...],
  "partial_failures": []
}

items is an array of hazard objects. Each item has a kind field (sigmet, airmet, pirep, convective_alert, storm_report, smoke) and source-specific fields.

vfr_not_recommended

{
  "vfr_not_recommended": false,
  "reason": null
}

vfr_not_recommended is true when the current METAR reports IFR or LIFR conditions. reason is a plain-English string when true (e.g., "ceiling 200 ft, vis 0.5 SM, IFR conditions reported").

synopsis

Currently unavailable:

{
  "available": false,
  "reason": "no synopsis source in skywatch — see afd slot"
}

current_conditions

{
  "metar": { ... },
  "pireps": [ ... ]
}

metar is a decoded METAR object with fields: station_id, raw, time, wind_direction_deg, wind_speed_kt, wind_gust_kt, visibility_sm, sky_conditions, temperature_c, dewpoint_c, altimeter_inhg, flight_category.

pireps is an array of informational PIREPs near the airport (not already in adverse_conditions).

enroute_forecast

For single-airport briefs:

{
  "available": false,
  "reason": "single-point brief; route input deferred from MVP"
}

For route briefs:

{
  "available": true,
  "corridor": {
    "from": "KCDW",
    "to": "KACY",
    "distance_nm": 52.3,
    "bearing_deg": 132,
    "waypoint_count": 4
  },
  "items": [...],
  "partial_failures": []
}

destination_forecast

{
  "taf": { ... },
  "note": null
}

taf contains the decoded TAF with station_id, raw, issue_time, and a groups array. Each group has from_time, to_time, wind_direction_deg, wind_speed_kt, wind_gust_kt, visibility_sm, sky_conditions, and weather.

note is non-null when the ETD falls outside the available TAF window.

winds_aloft

{
  "station_id": "JFK",
  "forecasts": [
    {
      "altitude_ft": 3000,
      "direction_deg": 270,
      "speed_kt": 15,
      "temperature_c": 8
    }
  ]
}

notams

Currently unavailable:

{
  "available": false,
  "reason": "NOTAMs not in skywatch yet — Sectional domain not yet built"
}

atc_delays

Currently unavailable:

{
  "available": false,
  "reason": "ATC delays not in skywatch yet — no source"
}

afd

{
  "wfo": "OKX",
  "issue_time": "2026-05-01T12:35:00Z",
  "text": "..."
}

text is the full raw AFD text from the NWS. The SYNOPSIS and SHORT TERM sections are most relevant for preflight planning.

Trimmed example

{
  "airport": "KCDW",
  "coordinates": [40.875, -74.282],
  "wfo": "OKX",
  "fetched_at": "2026-05-01T18:00:00Z",
  "departing_at": null,
  "aim_section": "7-1-5",
  "note": null,
  "adverse_conditions": {
    "items": [],
    "partial_failures": []
  },
  "vfr_not_recommended": {
    "vfr_not_recommended": false,
    "reason": null
  },
  "synopsis": {
    "available": false,
    "reason": "no synopsis source in skywatch — see afd slot"
  },
  "current_conditions": {
    "metar": {
      "station_id": "KCDW",
      "raw": "KCDW 011753Z 27012KT 10SM FEW060 22/10 A2992",
      "wind_direction_deg": 270,
      "wind_speed_kt": 12,
      "wind_gust_kt": null,
      "visibility_sm": 10.0,
      "flight_category": "VFR"
    },
    "pireps": []
  },
  "enroute_forecast": {
    "available": false,
    "reason": "single-point brief; route input deferred from MVP"
  },
  "destination_forecast": {
    "taf": { "station_id": "KCDW", "groups": [...] },
    "note": null
  },
  "winds_aloft": {
    "station_id": "JFK",
    "forecasts": [
      { "altitude_ft": 3000, "direction_deg": 270, "speed_kt": 14, "temperature_c": 10 }
    ]
  },
  "notams": {
    "available": false,
    "reason": "NOTAMs not in skywatch yet — Sectional domain not yet built"
  },
  "atc_delays": {
    "available": false,
    "reason": "ATC delays not in skywatch yet — no source"
  },
  "afd": {
    "wfo": "OKX",
    "issue_time": "2026-05-01T12:35:00Z",
    "text": "..."
  }
}