Well were moved into the 2008 year with many of the familiar sign and symptoms of winter. That cold Canadian air with those cold fronts sinking in from the artic which result in AIRMETS/ sometimes SIGMETS for turbulence, icing with low visibilities associated with that so often early morning fog. Yes, the weather brief is more important than ever before with weather changing constantly. Make sure you are not fooled into just looking at surface winds because you do not fly at the surface, but normally around 3000′ in training and between these local airports. There can be a tremendous difference between the surface and altitudes that you fly. Remember that a difference of just 25 kts. Between layers indicates wind sheer.

Have a safe flight, keep your scan alive outside the cockpit and PLEASE close that flight plan!

Paul