A while ago I had the following exchange with Kansas City Center as I first checked in.
Me: “Kansas City Center, Conquest 425 Delta Delta, at 5000 feet, looking at the weather ahead.”
Center: “425 Delta Delta climb and maintain 15,000. Salina altimeter 29.90.”
Me: “15,000, 29.90. Request current heading for 15 miles for weather. 425 Delta Delta.”
Center: “425 Delta Delta, roger, I’m showing weather from present position to just short of your destination.”
Long pause.
Center: “425 Delta Delta, so your plan is to fly up there through all that weather?”
Me: (wondering what Center was looking at that I’m not seeing) “Affirmative. 425 Delta Delta.”
Center: (in a hearty, good luck wishing tone) “Oookayyyy!”
I had a smooth ride all the way home. Go figure.
Steve Meissner
Hospers, IA
Many times, ATC will see the weather differently using ground based radar, then someone who is flying with airborne radar..
Or an eyeball.