[SteveC]

I've mentioned before that relying on ATC for weather avoidance is not a great idea. The equipment that they have is still hit or miss on how well (if at all) they display weather. The good news is that they are getting upgraded as we speak. The bad news is that not everyone has the good stuff yet.

Perfect example yesterday of the different capabilities. I was flying single engine (no weather capabilities on-board), traveling through a cold front from north to south. The pre-flight briefing and radar indicated no nasty stuff on my route of flight, with the possibility for some light rain. Possibility of thunderboomers farther east along the cold front, though.

I get to the general area of the cold front and go IMC. I get a call from the approach controller a few miles down the road, saying she is showing some light precip about 8 miles ahead of me, and asks if I would like a vector around it or just fly on through. Well, never one to turn down help, I ask for the vector. "Turn right 15 degrees and call Chicago Center on 1xx.xx". I make the turn and give center a call.

Center answers back, and says "...let me know when you're done deviating and back on course". Oh boy, I can see how this is going to go. "Center, I was on a vector from Approach around some light weather. I'm currently IMC." Center responds "My equipment doesn't give any good weather info. Let me know when you go back on course."

So, there I am on a vector around weather with no way to know when I'm past it. Luckily I knew from pre-flight, and from the Approach controller, that there was probably not anything nasty out there.

Result? Asked for different altitudes until I got between layers, then proceeded back on course when it looked good (i.e. not *dark*) on-course. Could have given Flight Watch a call, too, if needed.

Just another reminder not to assume that ATC can (or will, for that matter) steer you around bad weather. Some have the capability to see it, and some are willing to give you a hand. But don't bet your life on it.