Various types of reports & forecasts

Question 1

METAR

Answer 1

Stands for Aviation Routine Weather Report. It is a observation of current surface weather at a particular ground station reported in a standard international format. They are updated on a scheduled basis unless there has been a change in significant weather. A special METAR (SPECI) can be issued at any time between routine METAR reports.

Question 2

ATIS (Automatic terminal information service)

Answer 2

The continuous broadcast of recorded non­control information in selected terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and relieve frequency congestion by automating repetitive transmission of essential but routine information.

Question 3

ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System)

Answer 3

Weather reporting system which provides surface observations every minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports.

Question 4

AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System)

Answer 4

Automated weather reporting system consisting of various sensors, a processor, a computer­generated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data.

Question 5

HIWAS (Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service)

Answer 5

An en route FSS service providing continuously updated automated of hazardous weather within 150 nautical miles of selected VORs, available only in the conterminous 48 states.

Question 6

PIREP (Pilot report)

Answer 6

Report of meteorological phenomena encountered by aircraft.

Question 7

Surface analysis chart

Answer 7

A report that depicts an analysis of the current surface weather. Shows the areas of high and low pressure, fronts, temperatures, dewpoints, wind directions and speeds, local weather, and visual obstructions

Question 8

Radar summary chart

Answer 8

A weather product derived from the national radar network that graphically displays a summary of radar weather reports. Only heavy precipitation is shown. Fog and clouds with little droplets are not shown. Intensity is measured in dBZ (decibels of Z) and are depicted in color on the radar image.

Question 9

Weather depiction chart

Answer 9

Details surface conditions as derived from METAR and other surface observations.

Question 10

Prognostic chart

Answer 10

Are forecasts rather than reports. They are the only charts can give you a good overall view of the weather that is expected to occur. The low level significant weather prognostic is a four-panel chart that shows the general conditions that are forecast to occur from the surface to 24,000 feet MSL (the 400 millibar (hPa) pressure level at the valid time (VT) of the chart, the two left hand panels for 12 hours from the issuance time, and the two right hand panels for 24 hours from the issuance of time.

Question 11

Area forecast

Answer 11

Forecasts to help see en route weather picture. They are valid for 12 hours plus a six-hour outlook period. The outlook gives a generalized forecast.