Chapter 3 - Weather Flashcards
What are the three types of weather briefs available from 1-800-WX-BRIEF?
- Standard
- Abbreviated
- Outlook
What are three characteristics of STABLE air?
- Stratiform clouds
- Fair to poor visibility
- Continuous precipitation
What are three characteristics of UNSTABLE air?
- Cumulous clouds
- Good visibility
- Showery precipitation
What is caused by heat radiating from the ground at night heating the lower layer of air?
Radiation fog
What is caused by warm, moist air moving over a colder surface, causing its temperature to drop?
Advection fog
What is caused by moist air flowing up a slope, and cooling as it rises with the terrain?
Upslope fog
What is caused by rain falling on a hot surface?
Percipitation induced/ steam fog
What is the FAA definition of a low cloud?
6500 feet and below
What does the suffix “nimbus” mean in relation to clouds?
Rain (ex. cumulonimbus, nimostratus)
What is the FAA definition of a middle cloud?
6500 feet to 23000 feet
What is the FAA definition of a high cloud?
Greater than 23000 feet
Is a standing lenticular cloud (almond shaped) indicative of stable or unstable air?
Very unstable
Given the following METAR, what is the visibilty?
KINK 121845Z 11012G18KT 15SM SKC 25/17 A3000
15 Statute Miles
Given the following METAR, what is the wind direction and speed?
KINK 121845Z 11012G18KT 15SM SKC 25/17 A3000
Wind coming from 110 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots
Given the following METAR, what is the cloud formation?
KINK 121845Z 11012G18KT 15SM SKC 25/17 A3000
SKC = Skies clear
Given the following METAR, what is the cloud formation?
KBOI 121854Z 13004KT 30SM SCT150 17/6 A3015
SCT150 = Scattered clouds at 15000 feet
Given the following METAR, what precipitation is present?
KLAX 121852Z 25004KT 6SM BR SCT007 SCT250 16/15 A2991
BR = Baby Rain (Mist)
Given the following METAR, what is the cloud level?
KLAX 121852Z 25004KT 6SM BR SCT007 SCT250 16/15 A2991
SCT007 = Scattered clouds at 700 feet & SCT250 = Scattered clouds at 25000 feet
What does SPECI designate at the beginning of a METAR?
Special METAR, released outside of the normal 55 minute schedule. Indicates significant change from scheduled METAR
Given the following METAR, what is the precipitation present?
SPECI KMDW 121856Z 320005KT 1 1/2SM RA 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35
RA = Rain
Given the following METAR, what is the visibility?
SPECI KMDW 121856Z 320005KT 1 1/2SM RA 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35
1 1/2SM = 1.5 Statute Miles
Given the following METAR, what is the meaning of the Remarks section?
SPECI KMDW 121856Z 320005KT 1 1/2SM RA 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35
RMK RAB35 = Rain began 35 minutes past the hour
Given the following METAR, what is the visibility, and what special information is given about it?
SPECI KJFK 121853Z 18004KT 1/2SM FG R04/2200 OVC005 20/18 A3006
1/2SM = 0.5 Statute miles; FG = Fog; R04/2200 = On runway #04, visibility is 2200 feet
What is the definition of a ceiling, as it pertains to weather & clouds?
The lowest broken (BKN) or overcast (OVC) layer. (Not scattered and few)
Are the wind directions in a METAR or TAF given in relation to true north or magnetic north?
True north. (Rule of thumb: if you READ it, it’s TRUE; if you HEAR it, it’s MAGNETIC)
When will clouds or fog form?
When water vapor condenses.
What kind of air would you expect over a barren area on a hot, humid day?
Unstable air, including thunderstorms, low-level wind shear, temperature inversions, poor conditions to fly in.
What is the significance of “CB in the below METAR sky cover section?
KFAR 301953Z 36006KT 10SM SCT030CB 27/11 A3021
Cumulonimbus clouds
What kind of air would you expect over a barren area on a hot day?
Unstable air.
What situation is most conducive to the formation of radiation fog?
a. The movement of cold air over much warmer water.
b. Moist, tropical air moving over cold, offshore water.
c. Warm, moist air over low, flatland areas on clear, calm nights.
Warm, moist air over low, flatland areas on clear, calm nights.
What is a characteristic of stable air?
a. Cumulus clouds
b. Unlimited visibility
c. Stratiform clouds
Stratiform clouds
What are characteristics of unstable air?
- Turbulence and good surface visibility.
- Nimbostratus clouds and good surface visibility.
- Turbulence and poor surface visibility.
Turbulence and good surface visibility.
Under what condition does frost form?
- When advection fog is present
- When the surface temperature is below the dew point in any temperature
- When the surface temperature is below the dew point in freezing temperature
When the surface temperature is below the dew point in freezing temperature
To get a complete weather overview for the planned flight, the Remote Pilot in Command should obtain a:
- An outlook briefing
- An abbreviated briefing
- A standard briefing
Standard briefing
A stable air mass is most likely to have which characteristic?
- Showery precipitation.
- Turbulent air.
- Poor surface visibility.
Poor surface visibility
Given the following METAR, what are the current conditions for Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW)?
SPECI KMDW 121856Z 320005KT 1 1/2SM OVC007 RA 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35
1. Sky 7000 feet overcast, visibility 1-1/2SM, heavy rain
2. Sky 700 feet overcast, visibility 11, occasionally 2SM, with rain
3. Sky 700 feet overcast, visibility 1-1/2SM, rain
Sky 700 feet overcast, visibility 1-1/2SM, rain
In which situation is advection fog most likely to form?
- A warm, moist air mass on the windward side of mountains.
- An air mass moving inland from the coast in winter.
- A light breeze blowing colder air out to sea.
An air mass moving inland from the coast in winter.
The suffix “nimbus”, used in naming clouds, means
- a rain cloud.
- a cloud with extensive vertical development.
- a middle cloud containing ice pellets.
A rain cloud
What is the weather at the Fargo airport?
KFAR 301953Z 36006KT 10SM CLR 27/11 A3021
- Winds from the north at 60 knots and clear
- Winds from the south at 6 knots and clear
- Winds from the north at 6 knots and clear
Winds from the north at 6 knots and clear
Given the following METAR, the wind direction and velocity at KJFK is from:
SPECI KJFK 121853Z 18004KT 1/2SM FG R04/2200 OVC005 20/18 A3006
1. 040° true at 18 knots
2. 180° true at 4 knots
3. 180° magnetic at 4 knots
180° true at 4 knots. (Rule of thumb: if you READ it, it’s TRUE; if you HEAR it, it’s MAGNETIC)
Clouds are divided into four families according to their
- composition.
- outward shape.
- height range.
Height range
A stable air mass is most likely to have which characteristic?
- Turbulent air
- Showery precipitation
- Poor surface visibility
Poor surface visibility
You have received an outlook briefing from flight service through 1800wxbrief.com. The briefing indicates you can expect a low-level temperature inversion with high relative humidity. What weather conditions would you expect?
- Turbulent air, poor visibility, fog, low stratus type clouds, and showery precipitation.
- Light wind shear, poor visibility, haze, and light rain.
- Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds.
Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds.
What are characteristics of a moist, unstable air mass?
- Cumuliform clouds and showery precipitation.
- Poor visibility and smooth air.
- Stratiform clouds and showery precipitation.
Cumuliform clouds and showery precipitation.
An almond or lens-shaped cloud which appears stationary, but which may contain winds of 50 knots or more, is referred to as
- an inactive frontal cloud.
- a funnel cloud.
- a lenticular cloud.
a lenticular cloud.
What are characteristics of a moist, unstable air mass?
- Haze and smoke
- Poor visibility and smooth air
- Turbulence and showery precipitation
Turbulence and showery precipitation
