Weather Information : D - Aviation Weather Forecasts Flashcards
What are terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs)?
A terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions significant to aviation for a specified time period within 5 statute miles (SM) of the center of the airport’s runway complex (terminal).
(AC 00-45)
Define Aviation Area Forecast (FA)
FAs are issued for the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and Alaska. An FA is an abbreviated plain language forecast concerning the occurrence or expected occurrence of specified enroute weather phenomena.
(AC 00-45)
Describe the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
The GFA is a set of web-based graphics that provide observations, forecasts and warnings that can be viewed from 14 hours in the past to 15 hours in the future.
(AIM 7-1-4)
What type of aviation forecasts are available when selecting the “Forecast” tab of the GFA?
a. TAF—terminal aerodrome forecast.
b. CIG/VIS—Ceiling and visibility.
c. Clouds.
d. PCPN/WX—Precipitation and weather.
e. TS—Thunderstorms.
f. Winds.
g. Turb—Turbulence.
h. Ice.
(AIM 7-1-4)
Describe some of the weather products available when selecting the “Obs/Warn” tab of the GFA
a. METAR
b. PCPN/WX—Precipitation and weather.
c. CIG/VIS—Ceiling and visibility
d. PIREP—Pilot reports.
e. RAD/SAT—Radar and Satellite.
(AIM 7-1-4)
What are the four types of inflight aviation weather advisories?
a. SIGMET (WS)
b. Convective SIGMET (WST)
c. AIRMET (WA)
d. Center Weather Advisory (CWA)
(AIM 7-1-6)
What is a convective SIGMET?
Convective SIGMETs (WST) implies severe or greater turbulence, severe icing and low-level wind shear. The forecast is valid for up to 2 hours. (AC 00-45)
What is a SIGMET (WS)?
A SIGMET (WS) advises of weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft. SIGMETs are unscheduled products that are valid for 4 hours. (AIM 7-1-6)
What is an AIRMET (WA)?
Advisories of significant weather phenomena that describe conditions at intensities lower than those which require the issuance of SIGMETs.
What are the different types of AIRMETs?
a. AIRMET Sierra describes IFR conditions and/or extensive mountain obscurations.
b. AIRMET Tango describes moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater, and/or nonconvective low-level wind shear.
c. AIRMET Zulu describes moderate icing and provides freezing level heights.
What is a G-AIRMET?
A G-AIRMET is a graphical advisory of weather that may be hazardous to aircraft, but are less severe than SIGMETs.
Describe the winds and temperature aloft forecasts (FB).
Winds and temperature aloft forecasts are computer prepared forecasts of wind direction, wind speed, and temperature at specified times, altitudes, and locations. They are produced 4 times daily.
What valuable information can be determined from winds and temperatures aloft forecasts (FB)?
Most favorable altitude—based on winds and direction of flight.
Areas of possible icing—by noting air temperatures of +2°C to −20°C.
Temperature inversions.
Turbulence—by observing abrupt changes in wind direction and speed at different altitudes.
What are Center Weather Advisories (CWA)?
A center weather advisory (CWA) is an aviation warning for use by aircrews to anticipate and avoid adverse weather conditions in the en route and terminal environments.
