Chapter 22 Flashcards
What are WMOs?
World Meteorologicla Centres monitor the collection of weather data.
They were set up to do this for the ICAO to make sure everyone is being
What are WAFCs?
World Area Forecast Centres produce SIGWX and Upper-Air charts. There are 2 - Washington and London
The one in London is the Met Office
What are MOs?
Meteorological Offcies produce TAFs (Termianl Area Forecasts). TAFs are forecasts, they report on what the weather looks like it is going to do, not what it is doing
What do MSs do?
Meteorological Stations produce METARs (Met Aerodrome Reports) and ATIS. These give real time reports of the weather in the area
How long is a TAF valid for?
Anything up to 36 hours
How long is a METAR valid for?
1 hour
What are MWOs?
Meteorological Watch Offices produce SIGMETs and AIRMETs
What are VAAC?
Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres monitor volcanicn action, and monitor the air for dust and ash in plooms
What are TCACs?
Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centres monitor for tropical storms. They lock a satellite onto a storm and monitor and track its progress, and release a report. This is combined with a SIGMET from an MWO
What do Information Centres/WAFCs Produce? And how often?
They produce upper-air gridded forecasts, and they produce signifcant weather (SIGWX) charts every 6-9 horus, reporting on :
- Wind, temperature and humidity
- Tropopause height and temperature
- Areas of significant weather (CB (thunderstorms), Icing, Turbulence etc.)
Who makes SIGWX for Low Levels?
For below FL100 or FL150 in mountainous areas, they are produced by the Meteorological Offices
What do Meteorological Offices (MOs) do?
They produce TAFs every 3-6 hours and they issue a Low Level Forecast every 6 hours if required (as a GAMET either as text or a chart)
How long are TAFs Valid For?
6-30 hours depending on the country
What are Meteorological Stations?
They are usually airport based centres who provide a METAR every 30 mins and MET reports. They also, depending on circumstances:
- Issue a SPECI
- Issue a trend/landing forecast whcih is valid for 2 hours
- Issue a SNOWTAM, warning of snow, slush and ice, which is valid for up to 8 hours
- Issue Aerodrome Warning (ADW) for condtitions affecting aircraft, facilities and vehicles on the ground
What do MWOs Produce?
- SIGMET - upper level reports, valid for 4-6 hours
- AIRMET - low level reports for up to FL100 (FL150 in mountains) and are valid for 4 hours
- ASHTAM - warnings of volcanic activity and ash, valid for 24 hours
What are Gridded Forecast Products?
They are world area forcests, using numerical predictions on a 3D grid, with horizontal (lat and long) and vertical (height and pressure) data
Horizontal is Latitude and Longitude, mapping out the area not taking in
What are Volcanic Advisories?
VVA reports are reports that can be in both graphical and text form. Red shows where ash currently is and green shows where it is heading
What are Tropical Cyclone Advisories?
Reports where a cyclone is tracked on a map. It shows where it currently is and where it is heading
What is an ASHTAM?
Provides informaiton on the status of volcanos when there is or expected activity. It is rated on a traffic light system, with ash clouds at FL250 or predicted to reach above FL250
What is a SIGMET?
A warning of dangerous meteorological conditions produced by a MWO (Exeter for UK) and issued by a Meteorological Station
An MS is usually at an aerodrome
What do SIGMETs Report on?
- Thunderstorms (TS) - Obscured (OBSC), Embedded (EMBD) and Frequent (FRQ)
- Tropical Cyclone (winds +34ktd above cyclone)
- Severe Turbulence
- Severe Icing
- Severe Mountain Waves
- Heavy Sand and Dust Storms
- Volcanic and Radioactive Clouds
TSs can be Isolated (<50%), Occasoinal (50-75%) or Frequent (>75%)
How does a SIGMET Report get Reported?
A pilot passes information about weather on to ATC, who then relays it to a MWO. If needed, it can be passed to a WAFC, then the MWO will issue and supply ATC with a SIGMET
What is a METAR?
A report of the current conditions at a specific time. They are issued hourly, but can be more frequent, and can be automated.
What is a SPECI?
A report the same as a METAR, however, it is only issued when there is a significant change in weather between reports.
What is a VOLMET?
It is an in flight weather report on HF or VHF radio. It can provide a TAF, SIGMET and METAR
Where are HF VOLMETS used and what do they do?
They are a report that runs to a shedule, with 5 minute time slots for each aerodrome. It runs every half hour and is predominantely in Oceania, so Austraila and New Zealand
How does a VHF VOLMET run?
In a loop
What is ATIS?
Automatic Terminal Information Service. It’s a plain langauge take off and landing report prepared by ATC at a controlled aerodrome. It is issued whenever there is a weather condition change, and is given the next letter in the alphabet.
What is a PIREP Pilot Report?
Whenver experiencing a change in weather condition, a pilot must report it to ATS, even if another pilot has reported it. It includes:
- Wind Shear
- Volcanic activity
- Morderate to severe turbulence
- Moderatre to severe icing
- Moderate to severe mountain waves
- Thunderstorms
- Heavy dust/sand storms
