Non-Graphic Weather Flashcards by Bryn Chase

Define prevailing visibility

Greatest distance at which objects can be seen and identified through at least half the horizon circle, which need not be continuous.

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Where is Runway Visual Range (RVR) measured from?

RVR is measured from touchdown point of the runway.

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When is RVR reported?

When visibility is less than 1 SM and/or visibility is 6,000 FT or less

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What does the acronym CAVOK stand for and what does the term mean?

Ceiling and Visibility OK
- Visibility is 10 KM or more
-No clouds below 5,000 FT
-There are no cumulonimbus clouds
-No specific weather phenomena

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What does ALQDS mean?

All quadrants

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How are significant weather changes in a METAR disseminated?

A SPECI (non-routine aviation report) is issued

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What is calm wind on a METAR?

less than 3 KTS

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What is calm wind on a TAF?

3 KTS or less

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Define Gust

a variation in wind speed of at least 10 KTS

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What is VC and what is it applied to?

VC= Vicinity
Between 5 and 10 SM of the point of observation

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Define BL?

Blowing.

Shall be used when dust, sand, snow is raised by the wind to a height of 6 FT or more

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Define DR

Drifting

Shall be used when dust, sand, snow is raised by the wind to a height of less than 6 FT

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Define Precipitation

Any form of water particles, whether solid or liquid, that fall from the atmosphere and reach the ground

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When is a SPECI issued?

When there is a significant change of weather, which could mean that conditions are either deteriorating or improving

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AUTO identifies a METAR as _____

An automated report, no human intervention/augmentation

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The wind on a METAR is referenced to _____ north

True north

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How is 30005MPS read on a METAR?

Wind three zero zero at five meters per second

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Decode M1/4 SM visibility

Visibility less than 1/4 statute mile

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Decode 9999 visibility

Visibility greater than 10 KM

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Decode the following R04/P6000FT

Runway zero four visual range more than 6,000 FT

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Decode the following R02C/0800U

Runway zero two center visual range 800 meters trending up

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FG is used to indicate fog restricing visibility to less than _____.

5/8 SM (can also be seen/written as 1/2SM)

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BR is used to indicate mist restricting visibility from _____ to _____ and is never coded with a descriptor.

5/8 SM to 6 SM

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Decode VV000

Vertical visibility less than one hundred feet

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Define ceiling

1. Height above Earth's surface where the lowest cloud base or obscuring phenomena aloft is classified as broken or overcast. 2. Vertical visibility into a surface-based total obscuration

Phenomena within _____ SM of the station will be reported as at the station.

5 SM

Phenomena beyond _____ will be reported as distant, _____.

10 SM, DSNT

Decode the following: Tornado B13 DSNT NE

Tornado began 13 min past the hour to the distant northeast

Decode the following: PK WND 28045/1955

Peak wind, 280º at 45 knots, occurred at 1955Z

Define wind shift

A change in wind direction of 45º or more in less than 15 minutes with sustained winds of 10 KTS or more

What is IMC?

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Ceiling < 1000' and/or Visibility < 3 SM

What is the difference between FG and BR?

Mist restricts visibility to between 1/2 and 6 SM, Fog restricts visibility to less than 1/2 SM

What contractions are used for the frequency of lightning?

OCNL - occasional, FRQ - frequent, CONS - continuous

Define VIRGA

Precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates before reaching the ground. Common in the western part of the US.

What is a CBMAM cloud?

Cumulonimbus mammatus. -Results from violent up-and-downdrafts --Indicates possible severe or greater turbulence -Often spotted in advance of tornadic activity

Decode APRNT ROTOR CLD S

Apparent rotor cloud to the south -Indicates mountain wave activity, expect turbulence

Decode SNINCR 2/10

Snow increasing rapidly, snow depth increased 2" in past hr. 10" snow on ground.

What are the four intensities of turbulence?

Light, moderate, severe, extreme

What are the four intensities/severities of icing?

Trace, light, moderate, severe

How often are TAFs scheduled and how long are they valid?

Four times daily, valid for either 24 or 30 hours

What is a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)?

A TAF is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified period.

What is 00000KT on a TAF?

Calm wind, 3 knots or less

How is a significant, permanent change in existing conditions during the valid period indicated in a TAF?

By forecast change groups FM (FroM) and BECMG (BECoMinG)

What does a Convective SIGMET (WST) imply?

Severe or greater turbulence, severe icing and low level wind shear

What is a SIGMET?

An in-flight aviation weather advisory that advises of non-convective weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft -Severe icing -Severe or greater turbulence not associated with thunderstorms -Widespread dust and sand storms -Volcanic ash

What is an AIRMET?

An advisory of significant weather phenomena at intensities lower than those which trigger SIGMETs

What is an AIRMET SIERRA?

A bulletin for IFR and mountain obscurations

What is an AIRMET TANGO?

A bulletin for moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, and non-convective low-level wind shear

What is an AIRMET ZULU?

A bulletin for moderate icing and freezing level heights

How often are winds and temperature aloft forecasts (FB) made?

Four times daily

What information is ommitted from a FB?

1. Winds within 1,500' of station elevation 2. Temperatures in the 3,000 FT level or any level within 2,500 FT of station elevation.

When the forecast speed is less than 5 knots on a FB, the coded group is 9900 and read as _____.

Winds light and variable

To legally depart under IFR _____.

The reported weather at the departure airport is at or above the takeoff minimums.

How is Q1013 read?

QNH one zero one three

To legally dispatch under IFR to the the destination _____.

The indicated weather at the destination airport at the ETA must be at or above landing minimums

To legally file an airport as an alternate airport for the destination _____.

The indicated weather at the alternate airport at the ETA must be at or above alternate minimums.

Indicated weather includes what?

Reports, forecasts, or a combination of the two

In the U.S. TAFs are scheduled ____.

Four times daily

What does AMD NOT SKED mean?

Observations are limited during certain hours

Winds are reference to _____ north

True

_____ clouds are the only cloud type forecast in TAFs.

Cumulonimbus

Decode WS020/25040KT

Wind shear 2,000' above the surface, wind 250 at 40KT

Decode TX08/14Z TNM01/02Z

Maximum temperature 8℃ at 1400Z, Minimum temperature -1℃ at 0200Z

A significant permanent change in existing conditions in the TAF is indicated by the change groups _____ or _____.

FM (rapid) or BECMG (gradual)

Decode this information from a winds and temperatures aloft forecast (FB): 859955

Winds 350º at 199 knots or greater, temperature -55℃

Decode this information from an FB: 9900

Winds light and variable (less than 5 knots)

Decode M03/M03. What is the spread?

Temperature -3℃, dew point -3℃. The spread is 0℃

Decode SLP101

10.1 ___10.1 Sea level pressure 1010.1 mb

In the remarks section of a TAF, what does P0000 signify?

Less than one-hundredth of an inch of precipitation in the last hour

Center Weather Servicie Unit products are issued by the CWSU meteorologists located in the _____.

ARTCCs (Air Route Traffic Control Centers)

A _____ is a sudden increase in wind speed of at least 16 kt, lasting at least one minute

Squall

3 lightning occurences

- Occasional - Frequent - Continuous

Light turbulence is also known as _____

Light chop

Turbulence can be described as _____, _____, _____, and _____

Light, moderate, servere, extreme

Decode WST

Convective Sigmet

What area(s) are covered in a WST?

The contiguous 48

How often are WST's issued?

Hourly, valid for 2 hours. Has a 2-6 hour outlook included

How are WST's numbered?

Sequentially 01-99

What are the 3 regions for WSTs?

West, Central, and East

How long are Sigmet (WS) forecast periods?

4 hours

How long are Airmet (WA) forecast periods?

6 hours

Meteorological Impact Statement

Brief nontechnical discussion of meteorological events causing or expecting to cause a distruption

How often are FBs issued?

4 times daily