NTSB: Crossfield Not Warned Of Adverse Weather

Danny Deger wrote:

Last I checked many controllers only have transponder indications with
no weather on their display at all.

Maybe you're thinking of a Class D contract tower?

Two years ago, I took a GREAT two-hour+ private tour of BDL TRACON and
tower. I spent an hour downstairs sitting with an approach controller,
and another in the tower cab, rotating among the jobs up there. The
tour took place on an IFR w/ thunderstorms and low-level wind shear
evening, from ~ 1800-2030 local.

The TRACON folks had a complete set of keys at each position that could
display, or not display, all kinds of different weather information,
overlaying on the individual controller's screen. They were also
actively soliciting PIREPS from nearly every approach and several
departures.

During a post tour debriefing with the duty-supervisor, were were led to
believe that the equipment we saw was FAA standard issue nationwide.

Since the radar paints were all computer generated, the BDL folks could
flip a few switches and actually work Boston or NY Metro approach /
departure traffic. In a training room, it was demonstrated how the
center of the screen could be moved to the center of whatever they
wanted to define as a "sector". They even moved the center to JFK,
zoomed it in, and we watched approaches to all the NY area airports,
with and without weather.

One thing I took away from the tour was the weather assistance available
for the asking. I was glad that the tour wasn't on a severe clear night!