How heavy rain showers are encoded in LAWRS column 9 using +SHRA for aviation weather reports.

Understanding LAWRS column 9: what does +SHRA tell the crew?

If you’ve ever scanned a pilot weather briefing and paused on column 9, you’re not alone. That little box hides a lot of situational truth. In Limited Aviation Weather Reporting System (LAWRS) shorthand, each symbol is a compact message for pilots and dispatchers. Take the case of heavy rain showers—the kind of precipitation that can threaten visibility, slick runways, and decision-making on approach and departure. The code you’ll often see is +SHRA. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and how to read it like a seasoned flier.

Let’s decode the code in plain language

• SHRA stands for rain showers. It’s not plain rain that falls steadily; showers imply sporadic, sometimes intense bursts of rain. That distinction matters for how you anticipate visibility changes and runway conditions.

• The plus sign (+) isn’t decorative. It signals a higher intensity or greater significance than a plain SHRA. In other words, the rainfall isn’t just present; it’s weighted toward the heavier end of the spectrum.

Put those two pieces together and you get +SHRA—the report that rain showers are occurring, and they’re notably intense. In a field where a few knots of wind or a smudge of fog can shift an approach, that extra detail is exactly what pilots want to know fast.

Why the plus sign matters on the flight deck

Consider this: weather data has to be quick, precise, and scannable. In a cockpit, pilots can’t linger over long paragraphs or guess about how hard the drizzle is falling. The plus sign is a visual cue to dial up the level of caution.

• Intensity informs performance planning. If showers are heavy, braking action can degrade, runway contamination can worsen, and the risk of hydroplaning increases. That means you might extend a landing distance estimate, tighten separation, or prepare for possible go-arounds.

• Showers imply variability. A shower isn’t a steady rain. It comes in bursts, which makes the weather feel “unpredictable” for a moment or two. Depending on wind, gusts, and surrounding terrain, that variability can create micro-winds or sudden changes in visibility.

• The code communicates quickly. In the LAWRS system, column 9 is one of those places where speed and clarity save time and reduce risk. A single symbol combo replaces a longer narrative and still tells the crew exactly what to expect.

Why not just use +RA or SHRA alone?

You might wonder why not simply mark heavy rain as +RA or just SHRA. The answer is about precision and redundancy in communication.

• +RA would show heavy rain, but it doesn’t specify that the rain is occurring in showers. A shower pattern has different operational implications than continuous rain. It can lead to sudden changes in visibility and runway wetting in uneven patches.

• SHRA without a plus sign tells you there are showers, but not necessarily that they’re heavy. A flight crew wants to know if conditions are intensifying; the plus sign adds that important layer of urgency.

• The combination of both elements—showers and intensity—lets the crew gauge risk with a single line of sight. That’s why +SHRA is the go-to for heavy showers in column 9.

A few practical implications for flight crews

Now, let’s make this concrete. When a captain or dispatcher sees +SHRA in column 9, what actions might follow?

• Reassess landing and takeoff performance. Heavy showers can reduce braking action and increase stopping distance. Expect to review the landing distance available (LDA) and the available runway length in use.

• Anticipate visibility fluctuations. Showers can move across the runway with gusts and varying intensity. Pilots may brace for temporary visibility drops and exercise extra caution during flare and touchdown.

• Plan for runway conditions. Runway surface may become slick in patches. If control surfaces and tires are taxed by changing drainage patterns, a cautious approach or a slight delay could be prudent.

• Coordinate with air traffic control. With heavier precipitation, approach sequences might be adjusted to maintain safe separation and spacing. Clear communication helps everyone stay ahead of changing conditions.

Connecting the dots with real-world flying

Let me explain with a quick scenario. Imagine you’re lining up for a short-field landing on a rain-soaked strip. If column 9 shows +SHRA, you know two things at a glance: rain is currently falling, and it’s strong enough to matter for your braking and visibility. That tells you to factor in a longer rollout, a higher approach speed margin, and perhaps a go-around-ready mindset if the rain intensifies or visibility worsens. It’s not about fear; it’s about using the signal you’ve got to stay ahead of the curve.

A few related codes worth knowing (without turning this into a glossary)

• SHRA vs +SHRA: The base shows showers; the plus sign flags intensity.

• RA (no shower tag) signals rain, potentially steadier in nature, which has its own set of operational implications.

• If you ever see TS in combination with rain, that’s a heads-up for thunderstorms with rain—an entirely different ballgame in terms of unpredictability and safety procedures.

• Weather is rarely isolated. Column 9 often sits alongside wind, visibility, cloud, and temperature in the broader METAR-like structure LAWRS uses. Together, they form a complete weather snapshot for a given airfield.

How to remember this without memorizing a dry manual

A simple memory trick helps: think of column 9 as the weather’s punchline. SHRA is rain showers; the plus is the emphasis. So +SHRA is “heavier rain showers.” If you’re ever uncertain, picture a rainstorm that starts and stops more abruptly than a steady drizzle—the kind that makes puddles pop up along the runway edge and cut visibility in bursts. That mental image aligns with the code you’d see: a quick, sharp signal that this rain isn’t mild—it’s meaningful.

A gentle digression into the human side of weather reporting

Weather data isn’t just a set of symbols. It’s a human-powered alert system. Meteorologists observe, interpret, and compress conditions into codes for fast comprehension. Pilots, in turn, translate those codes into flight plans and risk assessments. The chain relies on trust, accuracy, and timely delivery. Tiny misreads can ripple through decisions, so codes like +SHRA are carefully crafted to minimize ambiguity. That shared language keeps people safe, and it keeps flights moving smoothly even when the sky isn’t cooperative.

A few tips to sharpen your intuition

• Visualize the pattern. When you see +SHRA, imagine bursts of rain hitting the runway at irregular intervals. Think about how those bursts affect visibility and braking at different distances.

• Tie the code to your checklists. In a cockpit, cross-check column 9 with the latest runway state, the gusts, and the observed trends. If the showers are intensifying, you might shift to more conservative approach parameters.

• Practice, not memorize. The goal isn’t to memorize every possible code, but to recognize that certain markers signal particular risks. Frequent exposure to real-world examples makes the patterns feel intuitive over time.

• Stay curious about context. Weather codes sit in a larger system—how the airfield handles precipitation, how the tower manages traffic, how the crew communicates. Understanding that web of interactions makes the code even more useful.

A quick recap you can carry into the next briefing

• In LAWRS column 9, +SHRA means heavy rain showers.

• The plus sign flags intensity; SHRA signals showers of rain.

• This combination provides rapid, actionable insight for planning landings, approaches, and departures.

• Different from plain SHRA or +RA, the plus and shower pairing adds precision about both form (showers) and strength (intensity).

If you’re trying to build fluency with LAWRS codes, you’re not alone. The system is designed to distill weather into fast, actionable signals so crews can make timely, safe decisions. The +SHRA code is a perfect example: a small symbol that carries a clear message about risk, immediate planning needs, and the steps needed to keep a flight on a safe track.

As you listen to the wind, watch the clouds, and read the weather page, you’ll start to notice these little cues everywhere. The more you observe, the more natural it becomes to read the sky’s language—even when the sky is busy with heavy rain showers.