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Aviation > Weather > Flashcards

Weather Flashcards

1
Q

What is the standard temperature (in °F and °C) and pressure at sea level?

A

59°F, 15°C, 29.92” Hg.

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2
Q

What is every physical process of weather accompanied by, or the result of?

A

Heat exchange.

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3
Q

What causes variations in altimeter settings between weather reporting points?

A

Uneven heating of the earth’s surface.

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4
Q

What causes differences in direction between winds aloft and on the ground?

A

Friction between the wind and the surface.

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5
Q

What is a front?

A

The boundary between two different air masses.

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6
Q

What weather phenomenon will always occur when flying across a front?

A

A change in the wind direction.

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7
Q

What is one of the most easily recognized discontinuities across a front?

A

A change in temperature.

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8
Q

How many families of clouds are there? How are they classified?

A
  1. According to their height range.
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9
Q

What does the suffix “-nimbus” mean when naming clouds?

A

It means a rain cloud.

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10
Q

How is moisture added to unsaturated air?

A

By evaporation and sublimation.

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11
Q

What will always happen when water vapor condenses?

A

Clouds, fog, or dew will be formed.

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12
Q

If the temperature/dewpoint spread is small and decreasing, and the temperature is 62°F, what will happen?

A

Low clouds or fog are likely to develop.

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13
Q

How can you calculate the altitude of the base of cumulus clouds?

A

Divide the temperature/dewpoint spread by 4.4, and multiply by 1000.

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14
Q

How can you determine the stability of the atmosphere?

A

Compare the actual lapse rate with the standard lapse rate.

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15
Q

What is the standard lapse rate?

A

3.5°F per 1,000 feet.

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16
Q

What will moist, stable air flowing upslope produce?

A

Stratus clouds.

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17
Q

What characterizes stable air?

A

Stratiform clouds, steady vs. showery precipitation, smooth air (little or no turbulence), and poor surface visibility.

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18
Q

What does warming from below do to an air mass?

A

It decreases its stability, because it develops thermals.

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19
Q

What causes the development of thermals?

A

Heating from below.

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20
Q

What characterizes unstable air?

A

Turbulence and good surface visibility (because the rising air carries away pollution and haze in the lower atmosphere).

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21
Q

If clouds form in a moist, unstable air mass, what kind will they be?

A

Cumuliform clouds and showery precipitation.

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22
Q

What happens when an unstable air mass is forced upward?

A

It produces clouds with considerable vertical development and associated convective turbulence.

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23
Q

What indicates convective turbulence?

A

Towering cumulus clouds.

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24
Q

What is one in-flight condition necessary for structural icing to form?

A

Visible moisture.

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25
Q

When is the highest accumulation rate of aircraft structural ice most likely?

A

In freezing rain.

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26
Q

What are ice pellets at the surface evidence of?

A

A temperature inversion with freezing rain at a higher altitude.

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27
Q

What causes frost?

A

The temperature of the collecting surface being at or below the dewpoint of the adjacent air and the dewpoint being below freezing.

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28
Q

When does a temperature inversion occur? What is the result?

A

When the air above is warmer than the air below.

An increase in temperature as altitude is increased, and a stable layer of air.

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29
Q

When can you expect a wind shear zone in a temperature inversion?

A

When the windspeed at 2,000 to 4,000 feet above the surface is at least 25 knots.

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30
Q

What most frequently produces a ground or surface-based temperature inversion?

A

Terrestrial radiation on a clear, still night. If it’s cloudless, the heat won’t be trapped. Heat radiating off the surface cools down the ground; which cools the air next to the ground, causing radiation or ground fog to form.

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31
Q

Where is radiation fog most likely to develop?

A

In warm, moist air over low, flatland areas on clear, calm nights.

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32
Q

When is advection fog most likely to form?

A

When an air mass moves inland from the coast in winter.

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33
Q

What creates upslope fog?

A

Air cooling as it is forced to rise up a slope.

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34
Q

What two types of fog depend on wind in order to exist?

A

Advection fog and upslope fog.

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35
Q

Why is steam fog especially dangerous?

A

Low level turbulence can occur, and icing can become hazardous.

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36
Q

Which clouds have the greatest turbulence?

A

Cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds.

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37
Q

Which hazardous atmospheric phenomenon near thunderstorms should be expected on landing approach?

A

Wind shear turbulence.

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38
Q

Which weather phenomenon is always associated with a thunderstorm?

A

Lightning.

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39
Q

What are squall line thunderstorms?

A

A nonfrontal, narrow band of active thunderstorms that often develop ahead of a cold front. They are very hazardous to aircraft.

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40
Q

What conditions are necessary for the formation of cumulonimbus clouds?

A

A lifting force, unstable air, and moist air.

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41
Q

What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?

A
  1. CUMULUS - continuous updrafts.
  2. MATURE - precipitation beginning to fall. Greatest intensity.
  3. DISSIPATING - predominantly downdrafts.
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42
Q

What’s an AIRMET?

A

A warning of weather conditions particularly hazardous to small single-engine aircraft. However, they are for all pilots.

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43
Q

What’s a SIGMET?

A

Significant. A warning of weather conditions hazardous to all aircraft.

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44
Q

Which reports tell you about freezing levels and moderate icing?

A

AIRMETs.

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45
Q

Which reports warn you of severe icing not associated with thunderstorms?

A

SIGMETs.

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46
Q

Where would you find information on freezing levels and areas of probable icing aloft?

A

Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories.

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47
Q

What does a convective SIGMET contain?

A

A warning of tornadoes, embedded thunderstorms, and hail 3/4 inch or greater in diameter.

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48
Q

What are embedded thunderstorms?

A

Thunderstorms that are obscured by massive cloud layers and cannot be seen.

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49
Q

Where does wind shear occur?

A

At all altitudes, in all directions.

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50
Q

Where can hazardous wind shear be expected?

A

In areas of low-level temperature inversion, frontal zones, and clear air turbulence.

51
Q

What is a standing lenticular cloud?

A

A stationary, almond or lens-shaped cloud that indicates the crest of a standing wave. It may contain winds of 50 knots or more.

52
Q

How can you anticipate possible mountain wave turbulence?

A

When winds of 40 knots or greater blow across a mountain ridge, and the air is stable.

53
Q

What is ceiling?

A

The height above the earth’s surface of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena reported as either broken or overcast (provided it is not called thin or partial).

54
Q

What are surface observations?

A

METAR and SPECI weather reports.

55
Q

In surface observations, or the winds true or magnetic?

A

True.

56
Q

Decode this:

SPECI KMDW 121856Z 32005KT 1 1/2SM RA OVC007 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35

A

…

57
Q

What are TAFs? When are they issued? How long are they usually valid for?

A

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts. Issued four times a day. Generally valid for 24 hours (30 hours at airports that serve long-range aircraft).

58
Q

What is the only cloud type forecast in TAFs?

A

Cumulonimbus.

59
Q

Decode some TAFs.

A

…

60
Q

Decode some winds and temperature aloft forecasts.

A

…

61
Q

How is windspeed less than 5 knots (light and variable) encoded in a winds and temperatures aloft forecast?

A

9900.

62
Q

Decode an area forecast.

A

…

63
Q

Decode a weather prediction chart.

A

…

64
Q

Decode a low level prognostic chart.

A

…

65
Q

What does a low level prognostic chart depict?

A

Areas to avoid (freezing levels and turbulence).

66
Q

What is a weather depiction chart used for?

A

To determine general weather conditions on which to base flight planning.

67
Q

What does a winds and temperatures aloft forecast show?

A
  • Wind direction relative to true north.
  • Wind speed in knots.
  • Temperature in °C.
68
Q

What is an aviation area forecast for?

A

To determine general forecast weather conditions over several states.

69
Q

Decode a pilot report.

A

…

70
Q

What do radar weather reports depict?

A

Location of precipitation, along with type, intensity, and cell movement.

71
Q

Decode a radar summary chart.

A

…

72
Q

What do radar summary charts show?

A

Lines and cells of hazardous thunderstorms, which are not shown on other weather charts.

73
Q

How are echo tops shown on radar summary charts?

A

In hundreds of feet MSL, with a 3-digit number above the line.

74
Q

How are precipitation intensity levels shown on radar summary charts?

A

By contour lines.

  • Level one shows light to moderate.
  • Level two shows heavy to very heavy.
  • Level three shows intense to extreme.
75
Q

What do arrows and feathers on a radar summary chart indicate?

A

Radar return direction and speed of movement.

76
Q

How are severe weather watch areas depicted on a radar summary chart?

A

They are enclosed by heavy dashed lines forming a rectangle.

77
Q

On a radar summary chart, what kind of weather are Severe Weather Watch Areas issued for?

A

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

78
Q

When you telephone a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information, what should you tell them?

A
  • That you are a pilot.
  • Tail number or pilot’s name.
  • VFR or IFR.
  • Intended route and destination.
  • Type of aircraft.
79
Q

When should you request a standard briefing?

A

When you want the complete weather briefing for the planned flight or, when departing within the hour, if no preliminary weather information has been received.

80
Q

When should you request an abbreviated briefing?

A

When you want to update a previous weather briefing, or to supplement mass disseminated data.

81
Q

When should you request an outlook briefing?

A

When information is requested 6 or more hours in advanced of the proposed departure time.

82
Q

How can you obtain enroute weather advisories?

A

From an FSS on 122.0 MHz, below FL180.

83
Q

What is EFAS?

A

Enroute Flight Advisory Service; also called “Flight Watch”. It provides actual weather and thunderstorm information along your route. It can be contacted by calling Flight Watch on 122.0 MHz.

84
Q

What’s a TWEB?

A

Transcribed weather broadcast. It gives a recorded weather briefing for specific routes of flight, including winds aloft and route forecasts.

85
Q

How can you monitor a TWEB?

A

Tune your VHF receiver to an appropriate VOR frequency, or tune your ADF receiver to an appropriate NDB frequency.

86
Q

What does the absence of sky condition and visibility on an ATIS mean?

A

The ceiling is at least 5,000 feet, and the visibility is 5 miles or more.

87
Q

What is dew point?

A

The temperature to which air must be cooled to become saturated.

88
Q

If relative humidity is 100%, will you get clouds, fog or dew?

A

Not necessarily. The water can sublimate.

89
Q

What is lapse rate?

A

The decrease of temperature with altitude.

90
Q

What is unstable air?

A

Air that gets colder with altitude more quickly than standard.

91
Q

How does steam fog form?

A

When arctic cold air from the land moves over the relatively warmer ocean.

92
Q

What are Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories?

A

A collective term for AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and convective SIGMETs.

93
Q

What’s the difference between a METAR and a SPECI?

A

A metar is a routine weather report. A SPECI is a special weather report.

94
Q

In a surface observation, what does BR stand for?

A

Mist (think “baby rain”).

95
Q

In a surface observation, how do you analyze the cloud layer heights?

A

Add two zeroes to the given number.

96
Q

For the following SPECI, what do the remarks mean?

SPECI KMDW 121856Z 32005KT 1 1/2SM RA OVC007 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35.

A

SPECI report for KMDW. Report was issued on the 12th of the month, at 18:56 ZULU. Wind is from 320 true, at 5 knots. Visibility is 1 1/2 statute miles. Rain. Overcast cloud layer at 700 feet AGL. Temperature is 17°C, dewpoint is 16°C. Altimeter setting is 29.80. The rain began at 1835 ZULU.

97
Q

What is the only cloud type that is forecast in a TAF?

A

Cumulonimbus, as “CB”.

98
Q

In a TAF, what does BECMG mean?

A

“Becoming” – a gradual change.

99
Q

In a TAF, what does SKC mean?

A

Clear sky.

100
Q

In a TAF, what does TEMPO mean?

A

Temporarily.

101
Q

If your destination does not have a terminal forecast, what would you use?

A

An area forecast.

102
Q

How large of an area does the “VFR clouds and weather” section of an area forecast cover?

A

Greater than 3,000 square miles.

103
Q

If asked “What is the valid time for the forecast” for an area forecast, to what time are they referring?

A

The VFR clouds and weather forecast, not the synopsis.

104
Q

What do weather depiction charts show?

A

Areas of IFR, marginal VFR, and VFR weather conditions.

105
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what is VFR weather?

A

Ceilings greater than 3,000 feet, and visibility greater than 5 miles.

106
Q

What can you determine from the station circles on a weather depiction chart?

A

The amount of shading inside each circle represents the cloud coverage. A solid circle is overcast. Add two zeroes to the accompanying number to determine the height of the clouds.

107
Q

How are visibilities shown on a weather depiction chart?

A

The are given to the left of the station circle, unless they are greater than 5 miles.

108
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what do two dashes between the visibility distance and the station circle mean?

A

That the restriction to visibility is fog.

109
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what do two solid circles mean, between the visibility distance and the station circle?

A

That the restriction to visibility is rain.

110
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what does a solid circle with a triangle under it mean, between the visibility distance and the station circle?

A

That the restriction to visibility is rain showers.

111
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what is a front with triangular symbols?

A

Cold front. It’s moving in the direction that the triangles are pointing.

112
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what is a front with half-circles?

A

Warm front.

113
Q

On a weather depiction chart, what is a front with triangles on one side, and half-circles on the other?

A

A stationary front.

114
Q

What are low-level prognostic charts for?

A

They are forecast charts.

The top two are significant weather forecast charts; they show forecast areas of IFR and marginal VFR weather, plus turbulence and freezing levels.

The bottom two are surface prognostic charts; they show forecast positions of pressure systems plus fronts and precipitation.

The two left-hand charts are 12-hour forecasts, and the two right-hand charts are 24-hour forecasts.

115
Q

How is turbulence shown on a significant weather forecast chart?

A

The symbol for moderate turbulence is a little mountain peak. If it has an inverted V on it, it means severe turbulence.

Under the turbulence symbol is a number indicating the top of the turbulence. Add two zeroes to it. Then, a slash, and the bottom altitude of the turbulence. If no number, then the turbulence goes down to the surface.

116
Q

How do you find the freezing level on a significant weather forecast chart?

A

Add two zeroes to the number accompanying the freezing level lines.

117
Q

Decode these weather symbols: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Weather_symbolsNEW2.png .

A

…

118
Q

In a PIREP, are the cloud bases and tops in MSL or AGL?

A

MSL.

119
Q

What do radar summary charts show that other charts do not?

A

Lines and cells of hazardous thunderstorms.

120
Q

On a radar summary chart, what does a heavy dashed line forming a rectangular box mean?

A

Severe weather watch area.

121
Q

How do you know when a TWEB is available?

A

On a chart, look for a white T in a circle, inside an identification box.

122
Q

What’s HIWAS?

A

Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory Service.

Continuous broadcast of hazardous weather information: developing thunderstorms, turbulence, and IFR conditions.

123
Q

How do you know which stations have HIWAS?

A

An “H” in a circle in an NAVAID box, in the upper right-hand corner.

Aviation (19 decks)

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