Weather Flashcards
Name some sources where you can obtain aviation weather.
1-800-WX-BRIEF
Any Flight Service Station (FSS) found in Airport Facilities Directory
National Weather Service, www.nws.noaa.gov
Aviation Weather, adds.aviationweather.gov
ForeFlight
Flight Watch on 122.0 MHz
ASOS
What types of briefings are available from a FSS? When would you use each?
Standard - A full briefing
Outlook - When departure is six or more hours away
Abbreviated - To update a previous briefing
What information is contained in a standard briefing?
Adverse conditions Weather synopsis Severe weather warnings, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Convective SIGMETs, and ATC weather advisories Freezing levels Current weather En-route forecast Destination terminal forecast Winds aloft NOTAMs
What are the parts of a METAR/SPECI report?
- Type - METAR or SPECI
- Station Identifier given in four-letter code
- Date and Time of the report - Day followed by Zulu time
- Modifier - If report is automated, AUTO
- Wind - Direction and Speed
- Visibility in statute miles
- Weather and obstructions to visibility
- Sky Conditions
- Temperature and Dew Point
- Altimeter setting
- Remarks
Identify these weather symbols:
- TS
- +TS
- RA
- SH
- DZ
- FZRA
- FZDZ
- GR
- PL
- SN
- SNSH
- SP
- SG
- IC
- TS - Thunderstorm
- +TS - Severe Thunderstorm
- RA - Rain
- SH - Rain Shower
- DZ - Drizzle
- FZRA - Freezing Rain
- FZDZ - Freezing Drizzle
- GR - Hail
- PL - Ice Pellets
- SN - Snow
- SNSH - Snow Showers
- SP - Snow Pellets
- SG - Snow Grains
- IC - Ice Crystals
Identify these obstruction to vision symbols:
- DS
- SS
- BLSN
- BLPY
- DZ
- FG
- BR
- HZ
- VA
- SG
- DS - Dust storm
- SS - Sand storm
- BLSN - Blowing snow
- BLPY - Blowing spray
- DZ - Drizzle
- FG - Fog
- BR - Mist
- HZ - Haze
- VA - Volcanic ash
- SG - Snow grains
What is an AIRMET, SIGMET, and Convective SIGMET?
AIRMET: Aeronautical Meteorological Information - “occurring or may occur along an air route that may affect aircraft safety.”
SIGMET: Significant Meteorological Advisory Alert - SIGMETs effect the safety of all aircraft.
Convective SIGMET: Thunderstorms.
Typically, how long is a SIGMET valid?
Four hours.
Typically, how long is an AIRMET valid?
Six hours.
Typically, how long is a Convective SIGMET valid?
Two hours.
What are the types of AIRMETs?
AIRMET Sierra: Mountain obscuration. Ceilings are less than 1000′ and 3 over a wide area.
AIRMET Tango: Turbulence. Light to moderate turbulence or sustained surface winds of 30 knots.
AIRMET Zulu: Icing. Moderate icing and freezing levels.
What is a METAR?
Aviation Routine Weather Report. Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format.
What is a TAF?
A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified period (usually 24 hours). TAFs use the same weather code found in METAR weather reports. It covers a 5 statute mile radius surrounding an airport.
