NOTAM stands for "Notice to Airmen" (more precisely, "Notice to Air Missions"). A NOTAM is a notice distributed by aviation authorities to alert aircraft operators of potential hazards along a flight route or at an aerodrome. NOTAMs are time-limited and specific.

Examples of NOTAM-triggered hazards:

NOTAMs are published in the AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) and via AIP Supplements, and they are also available via online NOTAM search systems (e.g., eurocontrol.int NOTAM search). As a pilot, you are responsible for checking current NOTAMs for your planned route and destination before flight. The absence of a NOTAM does not mean the hazard is absent; it means no formal notice was issued.

SNOWTAM is a specific subset of NOTAMs pertaining to runway surface conditions, particularly snow, ice, and slush. A SNOWTAM provides detailed runway condition reports (RCR) in a standardized format. It includes information on friction coefficient, depth of snow, slush, and standing water, allowing pilots to assess whether their aircraft can safely use the runway.