Currently the Meteorological Service of Canada is developing a prototype nowcasting system to help provide decision makers (e.g. airport authorities, airline dispatch, ground de-icing crews, pilots) with real-time, accurate, and up-to-date weather information to help alleviate these problems and to increase safety. The system is currently called the Airport Vicinity Icing and Snow Advisor (AVISA). This system uses numerical model data, pilot reports, ground sensor data (precipitation, ceiling, visibility, winds, temperatures) as well as remote sensing information (satellite imagery, radar, and radiometer data) to provide the necessary nowcasts out to approximately 6 hours.

AVISA was initially tested during the Alliance Icing Research Study II (AIRS-2) at Mirabel Airport, Quebec during the winter of 2003-2004. Its main output was the diagnosis and short-term forecast of supercooled liquid water above the site. It will deployed in the vicinity of Toronto Pearson Airport during the winter of 2005-2006 in association with C3VP. Ground measurements will be taken at the CARE facility. Although the present focus of AVISA is winter weather hazards, a future goal is to widen its capabilities to be an all-season, year-round hub forecasting system.