IO540,
WX-Brief s used extensively in the US by pilots, as stated earllier its more than just a weather service despite the name. It provides a whole host of other information such as PIREPs, NOTAMS, any last minute airspace changes such as happened to me on my CPL test where the President decided to visit and we ended up going somewhere else - could have been an interesting interception!
They are of course useful for weather briefs as well as have access to all the info you want. Some of the bigger airports, such as McCarren Interntional, have terminals set up giving you access to weather services and satellite imagery which is very useful.
Julian.