What type of information does weather radar provide for pilots?

Weather radar is essential for pilots as it provides real-time information regarding precipitation and storm activity along their flight path. This capability allows pilots to detect clouds, rain, hail, and thunderstorms, which are crucial for making informed decisions during a flight. By utilizing weather radar, pilots can identify areas of severe weather and choose alternative routes to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

This dynamic nature of weather radar contrasts with other options that suggest static or less relevant data, such as historical weather patterns, which do not assist pilots in navigating current conditions, or simply temperature and wind speed readings, which provide limited context without accompanying information on precipitation. Predictions of future weather conditions also do not support immediate decision-making based on current flight conditions. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the immediate and actionable information that weather radar delivers in-flight.