B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
Enroute to EWR we studied the radar picture on WSI. It showed a long north-south line of weather west of EWR over PA; running north and south. We queried Dispatch about the weather and they saw no problems getting through it to EWR. There was no indication from ATC of any holdups getting through the weather (we asked). Our original arrival was the FQM into EWR. At one point ATC gave us direct HNK and the SHAFF arrival; then the next controller immediately vectored us and said the FQM arrival is just fine for weather; and he doesn't know why we were given the SHAFF. This reinforced our belief that getting through the weather near HAYED would be no problem. Then; west of FQM; ATC suddenly starts to give LGA inbound aircraft holding patterns at FQM and vicinity. The onboard weather radar indicated heavy rain (green and yellow) near HAYED; but it looked easily navigable. Then; about 20 nm from FQM we were given a hold out of the blue with an EFC (Expect Further Clearance) 1 hour away at FL260.After about 10 minutes; ATC said we could resume the FQM arrival if we 'could make it.' ATC then cleared us to HAYED direct. After spinning in the hold; we only had a radar paint of HAYED for half the time. It looked like green and yellow; and that we could navigate around and avoid the yellow. As we got closer and could adjust the radar more (now that we were going direct to HAYED) we saw that the yellow was getting thicker and that there was some red forming; along with magenta. We asked to deviate left off course and that was approved; but only for 5 miles left. Somewhere along the line I overheard ATC tell somebody that the weather was moving north at 70 knots. Sure enough; our 5 miles was not going to be enough and we needed more because this weather was moving and building fast. We asked for slightly more left for the next 15 miles then we could turn toward RACKI on the arrival. ATC blatantly refused. We were starting to feel boxed in. He immediately said no more left turns and gave us a right 180 degree turn. We started to comply but then realized that the arc of the turn while at 250 knots would take us into the very weather we were trying to avoid. We told him unable; and now we would just have to continue straight and make small left/right turns and penetrate the precipitation. ATC was not happy; and was strangely quiet; not responding to our multiple calls and attempts at a solution. We were forced to pick through the narrow band of weather. Luckily it was only about 15 miles wide; but we did experience heavy rain and moderate turbulence at 13000 feet. After popping out of the other side of the weather it was a normal arrival for runway 22L at EWR.In hindsight; I think the ATC controller was overwhelmed; or maybe didn't realize the weather was closing in so fast. I also suspect a shift change because he appeared to have 'checked out.' We were 30 miles in trail so traffic was no issue. We had to refuse his 180 degree turn because it would have actually placed us in the weather. The safest course of action at that point was straight ahead to RACKI. When he refused our request to come further left to avoid weather; we were then boxed in. My choices were to continue left anyway against his wishes; or take his 180 degree vector to the right. I tried to comply by turning right but that was taking us into weather. Now that I'm not in the heat of the battle; I should have just declared an emergency. ATC totally surprised me with his lack of help. He cooperated up until the point where it was really critical; and then withdrew his cooperation. We knew there was no traffic in the vicinity because the TCAS was clear and we were stacked in 30 mile trail of one another. Usually in a weather situation like this; ATC is very helpful. Tonight; it was very strange. Other aircraft were having difficulty getting what they needed as well.In summary; we did what we needed to do in order to stay safe. That meant not complying exactly with the heading that ATC wanted.
We were told to hold over PENNS intersection on the STAR into EWR. We were told as published but we miss interpreted and thought we were told left turns in the hold. The published hold is right turns. We read back left turns and no corrections were made. After initiating a left turn in the hold ATC questioned us and told us he wanted right turns. At this point we were given vectors for the hold until eventually told to resume the arrival.
Pilot reported making a track deviation; contrary to ATC clearance; due to rapidly developing weather on the arrival into EWR.