Operational Meteorology

Question 1

Where can you find the explained format for met reports?

Answer 1

AIP GEN 3.5

Question 2

How is time mentoined?

Answer 2

4 or 6 figure group in UTU / zulu time

Question 3

How is the time of report displayed?

Answer 3

4 figure group, hours and minutes. 0214z = 1214 EST

Question 4

How is the time of a forecast displayed?

Answer 4

two four-figure groups representing the beginning and the end of the forecast. The date and the hours, no minutes. e.g. 1002/1014 = from 0200z to 1400z on the 10th

Question 5

How is the time and duration of a TAF shown?

Answer 5

Time of origin also included.

010435z 0106/0212

This means the TAF was issued at 0435 UTC on the 1st and is valid from 0600 on the 1st until 1200 on the 2nd UTC i.e. 30hours validity period

Question 6

Wind

Answer 6

05025kt
23015kt

or 16015G30kt

Question 7

Visibility

Answer 7

0700 = 700m
6000 = 6000m
9999 = 10km or better

Refers to the visibility prevailing over 1/2 or more of the horizon

6000 1200NW = 6000m prevailing with 1200m only to the NW

Question 8

Weather and Cloud are separate

Answer 8

weather = rain, drizzle, showers, thunderstorms, smoke, fog, haze, sand, dust.

Cloud types are not mentioned in aerodrome forecasts other than TCU = towering clumulus and CB = cumulonimbis.
Area forecasts however may report other cloud types CU = cumulus. ST = stratus. SC = stratocumulus. NS = nimbostratus

Question 9

RE

Answer 9

= recent, when weather has been observed since the last report but is no longer present

Question 10

VC

Answer 10

= vicinity when it is between 8 and 16km of the aerodrome but not at the aerodrome

Question 11

Weather associated with clouds

Answer 11

CU will have showers of rain = SHRA or SH
ST will have intermittent or continuous rain or drizzle = RA or DZ
SC will most likely have drizzle = DZ
NS will have continuous or intermittent rain = RA
CB will have heavy showers and thunderstorms = +SH or TS

GR = hail
\+TS = heavy thunderstorms
\+RA = heavy rain (rain is continuous)
-SHRA = showers of light rain
PO = dust devils
FG = fog

Question 12

Cloud amounts in aerodrome forecasts

Answer 12

SKC = skies clear, no cloud
FEW = 1-2/8ths
SCT = 3-4 / 8ths
BKN = 5-7 / 8ths
OVC = 8/8ths unbroken continuous cloud

Question 13

Cloud amounts in area forecasts

Answer 13

ISOL, OCNL and FREQ

Question 14

Cloud heights

Answer 14

at aerodromes
FEW003 = 300ft
FEW 050 = 5000ft
BKN015 = 1500ft

in area forecasts:
BKN CUSC 2500/10000 = 5-7 / 8ths cumulus and stratocumulus with base at 2500 and tops at 10000 AMSL

Question 15

METAR

Answer 15

a routine report made by an observer at an aerodrome at fixed times. Usually on the hour or half hour.

METAR YBBN 050300Z 06010KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025 33/25 Q1009 RMK RF 02.0/004.0

33/25 = temp/dew point
RF 02.0/004.0 means 2ml rain in last 10mins and 4ml since 0900 local time

Question 16

TEMPO

Answer 16

significant variation from previous mean conditions. TEMPO means conditions are expected to last for 30mins or more but less than 60mins.
And that in the given period these variations are not expected to cover more than 1/2 the time period. i.e. they will occur sufficiently infrequently that the mean conditions remain those of the preceding forecast

Question 17

INTER

Answer 17

INTER is used when conditions are expected to change for periods of less than 30mins and are not expected to cover more than 1/2 of the indicated time period

Question 18

FM

Answer 18

FM is used when rapid changes are expected at a specific time . e.g. FM031000 = 10am on the 3rd

Question 19

BECMG

Answer 19

Only used in the TAF and when changes are expected to develop at a regular or irregular rate during the specified time period. e.g. BECMG 0310/0311 = changes from 1000 to 1100 on the 3rd.

In both FM and BECMG the new conditions will continue until the end of the TAF

Question 20

PROB

Answer 20

Used to indicate a 30% or 40% chance of occurance

Question 21

SPECI

Answer 21

Special Report - issued when the conditions at an aerodrome fluctuate about or are below certain criteria. The report itself is no different, it’s just a name change. It is likely that the report contains information of greater importance.