Met Practical

Question 1

What is the criteria for an IFR outlook on a GFA?

Answer 1

Ceiling less then 1000agl and or vis less then 3sm

Question 2

700-400hPa charts are for what alt?

Answer 2

100-FL240

Question 3

When are SFF-400hPa N Atlantic charts issued?

Answer 3

Issued at approx 1410Z and 0235Z for valid times of 00Z and 12Z respectively

Question 4

What does “OCNL EMBD TCU” mean on a SIG Wx PROG chart?

Answer 4

TCU with coverage of 50-75% embedded in area of significant cloud

Question 5

The term “ISOL CB 240” represents?

Answer 5

Individual thunderstorms tops up to 240 with coverage less then 50% with scalloped border (ICAO), less then 25% on a GFA

Question 6

Fronts and px centres depicted on P SIG WX charts are representative of:

Answer 6

Their surface positions at the chart valid period

Question 7

The term “FRQ EMBD TCU” means?

Answer 7

Greater then 75% spatial coverage of TCU within other clouds

Question 8

Freezing levels are drawn at what intervals on 700-400hPa charts?

Answer 8

Every 5,000ASL

Question 9

WAFC SIG WX charts are issued when?

Answer 9

4 times a day, transmitted 16hrs before valid times of 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z

Question 10

White boxes with FL’s inside represent what on a WAFC SIG WX chart?

Answer 10

Level of the Trop

Question 11

Are “ISOL CBs” ever depicted on a WAFC SIG Wx 250-630 chart?

Answer 11

Yes, only when embedded in cloud within the standard scalloped border

Question 12

FSS and FIC broadcast and provide upon request what reports to pilots while en route?

Answer 12

SIGMETs and urgent PIREPS

Question 13

SIGMET rules for validity:

Answer 13

1. Valid upon receipt until it is updated or cancelled
2. Valid for 4 hrs and can be issued up to 4 hrs before valid time
3. For volcanic ash or tropical storms they are valid for 6hrs and can be issued up to 12 hrs prior to valid time

Question 14

GFA- time issued, valid times, applicable altitudes

Answer 14

1. Approx 30 min prior to coverage period
2. 00, 06, 12, 18Z. Valid until next GFA issued, can be amended by SIGMET, AIRMET
3. Up to 24,000, convective above

Question 15

TAF - time issued, valid times, applicable altitudes

Answer 15

1. Approx 30 mins before beginning of coverage period
2. Normally every 3-6hrs and valid for 12, 24, 30 hrs
3. Surface

Question 16

Surface Wx charts - time observed, time issued

Answer 16

1. 00, 06, 12, 18Z
2. 2 or 3 hrs after observation

Question 17

Jet streams on upper level charts - speeds and labels

Answer 17

On chart if core above 80. If core is above 120, the label will show the core height, and also the lower and higher heights where the core is 80kts.

Question 18

Severe squall lines are shown on upper level charts with what symbol?

Answer 18

V-V-V

Question 19

On the WAFC, The symbol || when depicted on a jet stream means what?

Answer 19

An increase or decrease in wind velocity of 20kts

Question 20

What measures ceiling in an AWOS observation?

Answer 20

A laser ceilometer at one point over the instrument

Question 21

Difference between intermittent and continuous precipitation on a GFA

Answer 21

Intermittent is a dashed line with diagonal lines throughout

Continuous is a solid line around with dots in the middle

Question 22

When are 700-400hPa charts issued?

Answer 22

They are prepared 4 times daily and issued approx 12hrs before the validity time displayed on the charts

Question 23

Upper lvl chart - PROGs are prepared for flight levels 240, 340, 390, and 450. What are the issue and validity times for these charts?

Answer 23

Predictions software is run 4 times per day forecasting winds and temperatures for various altitudes at specific times in the future. The software run time and chart validity time are indicated in the head of the chart

Question 24

A forecast area of turbulence implies a ___ probability of encountering turbulence somewhere within the depicted area.

Answer 24

50%

Question 25

At what times are the data runs completed for the 250hPa upper air analysis charts and when are the charts disseminated?

Answer 25

00Z, 12Z and they are issued approx 3 hrs after the observation

Question 26

1044 decametres is how many metres?

Answer 26

10,440m

Question 27

250hPa is what flight lvl?

Answer 27

FL340

Question 28

On a constant pressure upper air chart, contour lines represent?

Answer 28

The height of the pressure surface in decametres

Question 29

If the ___kt isotachs are spaced closer together than ___NM on the 250hPa upper air chart, you can expect sufficient horizontal shear for the occurrence of CAT

Answer 29

30, 90

Question 30

When considering upper-air contour charts, you should know that:

Answer 30

The wind blows parallel to the contour lines and the wind strength is proportional to its spacing.

Question 31

GFA symbols

/___ /____ /____

——————

==========

Answer 31

Trowal

Trough

Upper trough

Question 32

Orange dashed line outlining area on GFA means:

Answer 32

Obstruction to visibility (not associated with precip)

Question 33

Freezing levels on GFA’s are what intervals?

Answer 33

2500’ ASL

Question 34

Low level jets are included on GFAs when

Answer 34

Core is above 50kt (or 35-45 and significant turbulence/wind shear is associated)

Not usually depicted when core is above 6000’ unless over high terrain

Question 35

METAR codes

Shallow, patchy, snow grains, snow pellets

Answer 35

MI, BC, SG, GS

Question 36

850mb is what altitude?

Answer 36

5000’

Question 37

OCTAs for METARS

Answer 37

Clear - 0/8
Few - 1 or 2/8
SCT - 3-4/8
BKN - 5-7/8
OVC - 8/8