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Weather Information Flashcards

1
Q

Most Wx occurs in what region of the atmosphere ?

A

Troposphere (up to 36,000 ft)

59F to -70F

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2
Q

What are standard temps and pressure at sea level ?

A

15C and 29.92 Hg

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3
Q

What are ISO Bars ?

A

areas of equal or constant barometric pressure

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4
Q

If ISO Bars close together on surface or pressure chart….

A

stronger pressure gradient

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5
Q

What does dew point mean ?

A

Temperature at which a column of air must be cooled to attain saturation.

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6
Q

When Temp and Dew point are close together (5 degrees F) what Wx is likely ?

A

Clouds, dew, or fog.

Ideal for Carb Icing

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7
Q

What factor determines the type and vertical extent of the clouds ?

A

Stability of the the atmosphere

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8
Q

Explain the difference between stable atmosphere and unstable atmosphere

A

depends on ability to resist vertical motion.
Stable atmosphere resists vertical motion.
Dampens out disturbances

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9
Q

How can you determine stability of atmosphere ?

A

When temperature decreases uniformly, approaching 3 degrees per 1000 ft, you have unstable air.

If temperature remains unchanged or decreases slightly, air tends to be stable.

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10
Q

What are the effects of stable and unstable air on clouds, turbulence, precipitation and visibility ?

A

Clouds Stratiform Cumuliform
Turb Smooth Heavy
Precip Steady Showery
Visibility Poor Good

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11
Q

What are characteristics of air flow around Low and High Pressure systems in Northern Hemisphere ?

A

Low: Inward, upward, counter-clockwise
High: Outward, downward, clockwise

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12
Q

What Wx can be expected flying towards a Low Pressure system ? A High Pressure system ?

A

Low pressure is characterized by rising air, conducive to clouds, precip, and bad Wx.

High pressure is characterized by descending air, favors good weather.

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13
Q

Describe different types of Fronts ?

A

Cold Front: Cold dense air replaces warm air

Occluded Front: Fast moving cold front catches up with Slow moving warm front

Warm Front: Boundary area when warm air mass contacts and flow over colder air mass

Stationary Front: Relatively Equal air masses boundary is stationary

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14
Q

What are general characteristics of Wx operating near a Cold Front ?

A 
As Front passes, 
Cumulus, cumulonimbus, 
heavy rain
lightning
thunder
hail
tornadoes 
Temp/Dewpoint equal
rapid pressure drops
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15
Q

What are general characteristics of Wx operating near a Warm Front ?

A 
as front passes 
stratiform
clouds
drizzle
low ceilings
poor viz
variable winds
rise in temperature
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16
Q

What is a Trough ?

A

elongated area of relatively LOW pressure

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17
Q

What is a Ridge ?

A

elongated area of relatively HIGH Pressure

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18
Q

What is primary means of obtaining Wx ?

A

1-800-WX-Brief (24Hrs) FSS Briefer

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19
Q

What are examples of other sources of Wx ?

A

Foreflight, avaiationweather.gov, DUATS (Lockheed)

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20
Q

Does the Wx provided by 3rd party satisfy 91.103 requirements ?

A

It might not. May have different Quality Control. Would check with FAA Flight service specialist

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21
Q

What types of Wx briefings are available from FSS briefer ?

A

Standard (Request for Full report)
Abbreviated (request for supplemental)
Outlook (6+ hours or more)
Inflight (122.2)

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22
Q

What info should Wx preflight include ?

A 
Adverse conditions
VFR not recommended
Synopsis
Current Conditions
Enroute Forecast 
Destination Forecast
Winds Aloft
Notices to Airmen
ATC Delay
Info on Special use Airspace
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23
Q

What is FIS-B ?

A

ground based Wx broadcast via ADS-B 978 MHz UAT

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24
Q

Can FIS-B be used to navigate TS ?

A

No, delayed info

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25
What is HIWAS ?
``` inflight Wx on NAVAIDS for SIGMETS, Convective SIGMETS, CWAs, AIRMETS, URGENT Pireps. ```
26
What is ATIS ?
broadcast of repetitive info regarding aerodrome, terminal information service. (ATIS)
27
What's included in ATIS broadcast ?
``` time of latest Wx ceiling viz obstructions to viz, temperature dew point wind (magnetic) velocity altimeter runway/approach in use ```
28
While enroute, how to obtain Wx info
``` FSS on 122.2 XM FIS-B ATIS HIWAS ATC workload permitting ```
29
What is a METAR ?
hourly routine Wx report
30
Describe types of Wx reporting.
Manual AWOS (Automated Weather Observation_ ASOS (Automated Surface Observation)
31
What are PiReps ?
conditions from pilots in the air. Two Types: UA - Standard UUA -Urgent
32
What are TAFs ?
Expected Wx issued 4 times a day.
33
What is Area Forecast (FA) ?
6 CONUS area forecasts issued 3 times a day. | Plans to discontinue and replace with GFA
34
What are graphically area forecasts (GFA) ?
aviationweather.gov to provide complete picture. 14 hrs in past to 15 hrs in future
35
What are the types of Wx advisories ?
SIGMET Convective Sigment Airmet CWA
36
Convective SIGMET ?
Issued for Severe TS 1) due to Surface winds > 50 its 2) Hail > 3/4 inches 3) TS affecting 40% or more of area at least 3000 sq miles 4) Tornadoes 5) Embedded TS 6) Line of TS 7)Imply severe or greater turbulence, severe icing, LLWS
37
How long is a convective SIGMET valid ?
2 hrs
38
When (time) are convective SIGMET issued ?
55 min past the hour.
39
SIGMET ?
Severe or extreme Turbulence NOT associated with TS widespread Dust/Sand storms Volcanic ash
40
What time are convective SIGMETS issued ?
unscheduled, as needed. Valid for 4 hrs. | Ash/Volcano = 6hrs
41
What is an AIRMET ?
``` Wx Advisory IFR Mountain obscuration turbulence strong surface winds icing freezing levels ```
42
How often are AIRMETs issued ?
Every 6 hrs.
43
What are the different types of AIRMETS ?
Sierra - IFR and Mountain obscurations Tango - Turbulence Zulu - Moderate Icing and provides freezing levels
44
What is a winds and temperature aloft forecast (FB) ?
4 digit codes for wind and direction, 2 digit codes for temps. issued 4 times a day
45
What info can be obtained from winds aloft forecasts (FB) ?
Favorable altitude Areas of icing Temperature Inversions Turbulence
46
What is a CWA ?
Warning of adverse conditions valid for Max of 2 hrs
47
What is a Convective Outlook ?
outlook for severe (tornado, 50kts gusts, 1" hail) and non-severe convection
48
What is a surface analysis chart ?
``` highs lows ridges and troughs fronts issued 8 times a day ```
49
Describe Ceiling and Visibility analysis.
real-time analysis of observed and estimated ceilings in CONUS
50
What does a Wx depiction chart provide ?
Plot of selected METAR stations for IFR, MVFR, VFR conditions
51
What info do short-range surface prognostic charts provide ?
Forecast of surface pressure systems and precip for 2 1/2 day period. 4 times a day.
52
Describe low-level significant Wx chart (SIGWX).
12 to 24 hr forecasts of Wx categories turbulence Freezing levels
53
What are NOTAMS ?
``` Time critical info on runway closures navaids approaches radar availability essential to enroute, terminal or landing operations. ```
54
NOTAMS (D)
Distributed widely (ie.runway closures etc)
55
FDC NOTAM
Regulatory, I.e. IFR Chart mods
56
Pointer NOTAMS
Refer to other NOTAMS
57
Military NOTAM
Military
58
SAA NOTAM
Special Airspace
59
FICON NOTAM
Field Conditions
60
Give examples of NOTAM keywords
RWY, TWY, RAMP, NAV, COM, U = unverified
61
Where to obtain NOTAMS ?
Foreflight, FSS, FAA pilot webiste
62
What are the 3 principle types of TS ?
Single Cell Multi-Cell Super Cell
63
When attempting to avoid TB around TS, explain operational procedures Pilots should never attempt...
Never TOL with approaching TS (wind sheer) Never Fly Under TS Never Fly under Anvil Never Fly without Radar into a cloud mass (embedded) Never Trust visual appearance Never assume ATC will offer guidance Never use NEXRAD for tactical ... to thread needle through TS (delayed)
64
What procedures can be performed when flying without TS detection equipment ?
1) Strategic Spacing VIA NEXRAD (shows where it was) 2) Ask ATC radar guidance 3) Avoid 20 NM 4) Avoid entire area if TS cover 60% of area 5) Recall vivid and frequent lighting = SEVERE TS
65
Can ATC provide inflight assistance to avoid Wx ?
yes, to the extent possible. Primary responsibility is traffic separation.
66
What charts are useful for Preflight planning of TS avoidance ?
1) Convective Outlook 2) Significant weather chart SIGWX 3) Wx Radar observations 4) Convective SIGMETS 5) Pilot Reports
67
What are microbursts ?
Intense downdrafts which spread outward when reaching surface causing vertical and horizontal sheers
68
Where are microbursts most likely to occur ?
anywhere convective activity, Virga, TS
69
What are basic characteristics of a microburst ?
< 1 mile in Diameter near top, 2.5 miles near ground downdrafts or 6000 FPM can last up to 15 min
70
What type of Wx info will you examine to see microburst conditions ?
1) TAFS for convective activity 2) METARS for WSHR clues (TS, rain showers, blowing dust) 3) LLWAS reports 4) TDWR (Doppler radar) 5) SIGMETS
71
What is wind sheer and when most likely to occur ?
rapid rate of wind change per unit of distance. a) low-level temp inversion b) Fronts c) CAT (clear air turbulence)
72
Why is wind sheer a concern for pilots ?
Rapid changes in wind speed an direction are hazardous at low altitudes
73
What airplane characteristics will be observed with sudden increase/decrease of headwind ?
Tailwind sheers to HW = increase in AS, ALT, PITCH | HW sheers to TW = decrease in AS, ALT,PITCH
74
What is LLWAS ?
Low-Level Windshear Alert System at some airports
75
What are 2 classifications of thunder storms ?
Airmass TS = single cell, pop-up | Steady State = Associated with Frontal systems.
76
Describe properties of a steady state TS.
associated with Frontal system converging winds and troughs aloft force upward motion precipitation falls outside of updraft allowing TS to continue for many hours

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