Notamify's SNOWTAM Decoder: Making Winter Operations Crystal Clear

Winter is coming, and with it comes one of aviation's biggest challenges: understanding runway conditions. For pilots and dispatchers worldwide, this means dealing with SNOWTAMs - those crucial notices about snow, ice, and slush that can make or break your flight planning. But let's be honest - decoding these messages has always been a headache, especially since the major format change in 2021.

The Evolution of SNOWTAMs

Back in November 2021, the aviation world underwent a significant change in how we report winter runway conditions. This wasn't just a simple format update - it represented a complete overhaul of the regulatory framework. The old system, governed by ICAO Annex 15 and the AIS Manual (Doc 8126), relied heavily on local friction measurement methods, leading to inconsistent reporting practices across different regions.

The new Global Reporting Format (GRF) brought everything under a more comprehensive framework. It's now governed by PANS-AIM (Doc 10066) and PANS-Aerodromes (Doc 9981), with additional guidance from Circular 355 on runway condition assessment. For European operators, EASA introduced specific variations with additional condition codes to better match regional needs. This new structure ensures that whether you're landing in Oslo or Tokyo, you're working with standardized contamination type definitions and a universal Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM).

Before this update, SNOWTAMs primarily focused on friction measurements and surface conditions. You'd see messages like C)06C F)2/2/2 H)5/5/5 N)2, where F) told you about snow depth, H) gave friction measurements, and N) provided specific details about runway sections. These reports were valid for 24 hours, which sometimes meant working with outdated information.

The new Global Reporting Format (GRF) changed everything. Instead of relying on friction measurements, which could vary between airports and equipment, we now use standardized Runway Condition Codes (RWYCC). A typical modern SNOWTAM might look like C)09L D)5/5/4 E)100/100/100 F)NR/03/03 G)WET/WET SNOW/COMPACTED SNOW. The D) section gives you those crucial condition codes, while E) shows coverage percentages, and G) describes exactly what's on the runway. These reports are now valid for just 8 hours, ensuring more frequent updates and better safety.

This change was a huge step forward for aviation safety. Instead of different airports using various ways to measure and report conditions, we now have a standardized global system. The new format gives pilots and operators a clearer picture of runway conditions and helps them make better decisions about winter operations.

The Challenge of Multiple Standards

But here's where it gets tricky. While the new format is technically the global standard, the real world is messier. Some regions still use the old format, either due to local regulations or operational preferences. And then there's the United States, which often uses its own non-standard format, describing conditions in plain English rather than coded format.

This is exactly why we developed Notamify's SNOWTAM decoder. Our system understands all these variations - whether it's a modern GRF report from Europe, an old-style SNOWTAM from Asia, or a plain-text condition report from the United States. Let's look at some real examples to see how this works in practice.

Real-World Examples: Seeing is Believing

Let's look at how Notamify handles different SNOWTAM formats from around the world.

Example 1: Legacy Format from Moscow (UUEE)

At Sheremetyevo Airport, where winter operations are a daily reality, you might see this:

SWUU2846 UUEE 11281527
(SNOWTAM 2846
A)UUEE B)11281527
C)06C F)2/2/2 H)5/5/5 N)2
C)06R F)2/2/2 H)5/5/5 N)2
R)2 S)11282300
T)STANDS AND APRONS: WET SNOW 10 PER CENT.)

Our system recognizes this as the pre-2021 format and automatically translates it into clear, visual information. You'll see both runways 06L and 06R displayed with their respective snow coverage and friction measurements, all presented in an intuitive layout that makes decision-making easier.

See the SNOWTAM here.

Example 2: Non-Standard U.S. Format at Northeast Wyoming (GCC)

Here's where Notamify really shines. Look at this U.S. style report:

Issuing Airport: (GCC) Northeast Wyoming Rgnl
NOTAM Number: 11/161
Effective Time Frame Beginning: Thursday, November 28, 2024 1242 (UTC)
Ending: Friday, November 29, 2024 1242 (UTC)
Affected Areas: Runway: 34 Condition: 10 PCT 1/8IN DRY SN

While this format is completely different from the ICAO standards, our AI understands the natural language description and presents it in the same clear, visual format as other SNOWTAMs. You'll see exactly where that 10% coverage of 1/8-inch dry snow is on Runway 34, along with its potential impact on your operations.

See the SNOWTAM here.

The Technology Behind the Magic

We're using both standard-based extraction and AI-structured output extractions. For standardized SNOWTAMs following ICAO formats (both pre and post-2021), our system employs precise pattern matching and format-specific parsers. This ensures accurate extraction of data like runway codes, condition measurements, and validity periods.

But the real magic happens with non-standard formats. Our AI model can understand natural language descriptions and convert them into structured data.

Looking Forward

Winter operations are challenging enough without having to wrestle with complex SNOWTAM formats. Whether you're a pilot planning your next flight, a dispatcher managing multiple operations, or an airport operator monitoring your runways, Notamify's SNOWTAM decoder gives you the clarity you need to make informed decisions quickly.

Ready to experience clearer winter operations? Try Notamify's SNOWTAM decoder today and see how it transforms complex winter condition reports into clear, actionable information.

Join Our Beta Program

Our SNOWTAM decoder is currently in preview mode, and we're actively seeking feedback from aviation professionals to make it even better. As a beta tester, you'll get:

Early access to new features
Direct influence on product development
6 months of Notamify Pro for free
Priority support for your feedback and suggestions

Your real-world experience with SNOWTAMs is invaluable to us. Help us shape the future of winter operations management by joining our beta program today.

Want to integrate our SNOWTAM decoder into your systems? Check out our API documentation or contact our team to discuss your needs.