3D Map Guide
Learn how to use the 3D visualization to explore aviation weather at different altitudes.
The 3D map is experimental and may have performance limitations on some devices. We are actively improving this feature.
Overview
The 3D map provides a unique perspective on aviation weather by visualizing data in three dimensions. Unlike the traditional 2D map, the 3D view shows altitude as a physical dimension, making it easier to understand where weather hazards exist in the vertical column of air.
This is particularly useful for understanding turbulence and weather advisories, which often have specific altitude ranges. You can see at a glance whether a hazard affects your planned flight level or if it is above or below your route.
Getting Started
When you first open the 3D map, you will see aviation weather data rendered in three dimensions. Here is how to navigate:
Right-click and drag (or two-finger drag on mobile) to rotate and tilt the map. This lets you view the data from any angle.
Left-click and drag (or single-finger drag) to move around the map and focus on different regions.
Scroll wheel or pinch gestures to zoom. Zooming in reveals more detail in specific areas.
3D Layers
The 3D map displays the same weather data as the 2D map, but rendered with altitude information. Each layer type appears differently in 3D:
PIREPs (Pilot Reports)
Pilot reports are rendered as 3D points at their reported altitude. The vertical position shows exactly where the pilot encountered conditions. Colors indicate severity - blue for smooth, yellow for light, orange for moderate, red for severe turbulence.
G-AIRMETs
Graphical advisories appear as 3D volumes showing both the horizontal coverage and altitude range. You can see the base and top of each advisory, making it easy to determine if it affects your planned altitude.
Domestic SIGMETs
Significant weather advisories are displayed as 3D polygons extruded to show their altitude coverage. The vertical extent helps you visualize which flight levels are affected.
CWAs (Center Weather Advisories)
Center Weather Advisories appear as 3D volumes with their altitude range clearly visible. These short-term advisories show developing conditions at specific altitudes.
Use the layer toggles in the control panel to show or hide each data type. This helps reduce visual clutter when focusing on specific weather phenomena.
Altitude Filter
Filter by Altitude Range
Show only data within your flight levels
The altitude filter lets you focus on weather that affects your planned altitude. Use the min and max sliders to set your range, or use the quick presets:
Focus on conditions affecting general aviation and regional flights.
View conditions in the flight levels used by commercial jets.
See the complete picture from ground level to maximum altitude.
Data outside your selected range will be hidden, making it easier to focus on relevant conditions.
Vertical Scale (Exaggeration)
Altitude Exaggeration
Make altitude differences more visible
Because the Earth is so much wider than the atmosphere is tall, altitude differences would be nearly invisible at true scale. The vertical exaggeration control stretches the altitude dimension to make vertical differences visible.
Camera Controls
Camera Presets
Quickly switch between viewing angles
The camera presets provide quick access to common viewing angles. Click any preset button to instantly switch to that view:
Traditional 2D view from directly above. Useful for seeing the full geographic coverage of advisories without altitude distortion.
A 45° angle view that balances geographic context with altitude visibility. This is the default view.
A more dramatic 60° view with a slight bearing rotation. Good for presentations or getting a dramatic sense of altitude layers.
An 80° nearly horizontal view that emphasizes altitude differences. Useful for seeing the vertical stratification of weather.
Reset Camera: Click the reset button to return to the default tilted view centered on the US.
Turbulence Filter
Turbulence Only Mode
Focus on turbulence-related data
The Turbulence Only filter is enabled by default and shows only turbulence-related PIREPs and advisories. This removes icing, IFR conditions, and other weather types from the display.
Disable this filter if you want to see all weather types, including icing, mountain obscuration, and IFR conditions.
Tips for Using 3D View
- Set your altitude range first: Before analyzing the map, filter to your planned flight levels. This removes irrelevant data and focuses on what matters for your route.
- Use the tilted view: The default 45° tilted view provides the best balance of geographic context and altitude visibility.
- Increase exaggeration for subtle differences: If weather appears at similar altitudes, increase the vertical scale to better distinguish the layers.
- Toggle layers to reduce clutter: If the view is too busy, turn off some layers to focus on specific data types.
- PIREPs show actual conditions: The 3D position of pilot reports shows exactly where conditions were encountered. Advisory volumes show forecast areas.
- Performance tip: On slower devices, reduce the number of visible layers or zoom out to improve rendering performance.