Meteorological Information

Question 1

What are World Area Forecast Centres (WAFC)?

Answer 1

• Based in London and Washington
• Provide upper air gridded forecasts
• Issue significant weather charts every 6-9 hours

Question 2

What are meteorological offices?

Answer 2

• Met offices located all over the world
• Issue TAF every 3 or 6 hours, valid for 6 to 30 hours
• Issue low level area forecast every 6 hours if required - GAMET

Question 3

What are meteorological stations?

Answer 3

• Aerodrome based
• Issue routine METAR and MET reports
• Issue SPECI (interim METAR due to significant change)
• Issue TREND/LANDING FORECAST valid 2 hours
• Issue SNOWTAM - valid up to 8 hours
• Issue AERODROME WARNING (ADW) - conditions effecting aircraft and vehicles on the ground

Question 4

What are meteorological watch offices?

Answer 4

• Issue SIGMET - upper level valid 4 hours, 6 hours if volcanic or TRS
• Issue AIRMET - low level valid 4 hours
• Issue ASHTAM - volcanic activity and ash clouds valid 24 hours

Question 5

When is a SIGMET issued?

Answer 5

• Thunderstorms
• Tropical cyclone 34kt+ wind
• Severe turbulence
• Severe icing
• Severe mountain waves
• Heavy sand or dust storms
• Volcanic ash and radioactive cloud

Question 6

What are VOLMET?

Answer 6

• Weather reports and forecasts in flight
• HF radio for long distance, VHF more locally
• VHF broadcast on continuous loop
• HF published schedule with 5 min allocated to each station

Question 7

What North does weather reporting use?

Answer 7

True north unless ATIS

Question 8

When would a pilot report weather?

Answer 8

• Wind shear
• Volcanic activity
• Moderate to severe turbulence
• Moderate to severe icing
• Moderate to severe mountain waves
• TS (with or without GR)
• Heavy dust/sand storm