Forecasts and Advisories Flashcards
TAF?
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast? (3 points)
- Expected meteorological conditions
- specified time period
- Within 5 SM of an airport
SIGMET?
Significant Meteorological Information
Significant Meteorological Information (2 points)
- Weather advisory
2. Concerning weather significant to the safety of all aircraft.
Convective SIGMET?
- Weather advisory
2. Concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft.
convective weather?
- Circular weather motion
- When warmer air or liquid rises
- While cooler air drops down
AIRMET?
Airman’s Meteorological Information
Airman’s Meteorological Information? (3 points)
- About weather
- Operational interest to aircraft
- Potentially hazardous to aircraft with limited capabilities
CWA?
Center Weather Advisory
Center Weather Advisory? (5 points)
- Unscheduled
- for ATC use
- to alert pilots
- of existing or anticipated adverse weather
- in the next two hours
MIS?
Meteorological Impact Statement
Meteorological Impact Statement? (5 points)
- Summarizes weather
- potential impact on
- air traffic flow control
- and flight operations
- center’s area of responsibility
FB? (not an acronym)
Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast
Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast?
- computer generated forecast
- wind direction, speed, and temperature
- selected times, altitudes, and locations
What other weather advisory is a TAF formatted similarly to?
A METAR
How many times per day is a TAF issued?
4 times per day
At what times are TAFs issued?
- 0000 (midnight)
- 0600
- 1200
- 1800
If needed, will Amendments be issued for TAFs?
yes
For how long is a TAF valid at most airports?
24 hours
For how long is a TAF valid at airports with significant international traffic?
30 hours
What 6 things does a TAF include (in order)?
- Time period
- Wind
- Visibility
- Significant weather
- Cloud and vertical obscurations
- Non-convective low-level wind shear
FM?
From
“From (FM)” on a TAF meaning?
rapid change to new conditions
TEMPO on TAF?
Temporary Conditions
“Temporary Conditions (TEMPO)” on a TAF meaning?
- temporary change to prevailing conditions
2. lists elements forecast to change
PROB30?
- 30% chance (low probability) of
- a thunderstorm
- or precipitation
PROB40?
- 40% chance (low probability) of
- a thunderstorm
- or precipitation
What does a PROB30/40 entry contain?
- PROB30 (or 40)
- Valid time
- Conditions
Decode PROB30 1022/1103 1SM TS
- 30% chance
- of a thunderstorm
- within 1 statute mile of the airport
- day 10, 2200 hours - day 11, 0300 hours
What are In-flight advisories used for?
alerting pilots/controllers of hazardous weather
What height measurements do in-flight advisories use?
MSL
Are SIGMETs scheduled?
No
For how long are SIGMETs normally valid?
4 hours
For how long are SIGMETs concerning volcanic ash and tropical cyclones valid?
6 hours
How often are SIGMETs reissued?
As long as conditions continue
How large an area are SIGMETs issued for?
- 3000 square miles or
2. Area of significant operational impact
What 5 types of conditions are SIGMETs issued for?
- Thunderstorms
- Severe turbulence
- Severe icing
- Widespread dust/sand storms
- Volcanic Ash
How often are convective SIGMETs issued?
Hourly
For how long are convective SIGMETs valid?
2 hours
What types of weather or Convective SIGMETs issued for? (4 points)
- Severe Thunderstorms
- Wind 50KT or greater
- Hail 3/4in in diameter or greater
- Tornadoes
How long a “line” are Convective SIGMETs issued for? And what percentage of thunderstorms must it contain?
- 60NM long
2. 40% containing thunderstorms
How wide an area is a Convective SIGMET issued for?
3,000 square miles
In order to issue a Convective SIGMET, severe/Embedded thunderstorms expected for ___ min or more.
30
Are AIRMET advisories scheduled?
Yes
AIRMETs are issued for ____ severe weather than SIGMETs
Less
How long are AIRMETs valid for?
Up to 6 hours
What are the 3 designators of an AIRMET?
- Sierra
- Tango
- Zulu
What are AIRMET Sierras issued for?
- IFR weather and
2. extensive mountain obscuration
What are AIRMET Tangos issued for?
- Moderate turbulence,
- surface wind less than 30 knots
- LLWS potential
LLWS?
Low-level wind shear
What are AIRMET Zulus issued for?
- moderate icing
2. moderate freezing levels
In what circumstances is a CWA issued for a thunderstorm(s)? (4 points)
If the thunderstorm is
- Severe
- Embedded
- A line of storms
- An area of storms
What are embedded thunderstorms?
huge, synoptic-scale precipitation area includes a few scattered thunderstorms
synoptic-scale precipitation?
Precipitation with major storm systems that extends across areas as large as several Midwestern states.
In what circumstances is a CWA issued for icing?
- If the icing is:
- Moderate
- Severe
What 2 types of precipitation might generate a CWA?
- Heavy
2. Freezing
What IFR ceiling and visibility conditions might generate a CWA?
Ceiling less than 500’ AGL and/or
Visibility less than 1 SM
What surface wind speed might generate a CWA?
30 KT
Can LLWS generate a CWA?
Yes
Can a dust/sand storm generate a CWA?
Yes
Can volcanic ash generate a CWA?
yes
TMU?
Traffic Management Unit
What two organizations use MISs
- ARTCC
2. TMU
Are MISs scheduled?
no
What time period can MISs be issued for?
Up to 2 days
Do pilots use MISs?
No
Are CWAs scheduled?
No
How long are CWAs valid?
Up to 2 hours
At what times are FBs issued?
- 0000
- 0600
- 1200
- 1800
What are the 3 possible times that FBs can be valid until?
- 7
- 9
- 12
