Weather Reporting Flashcards

1
Q

What is a METAR?

A

An Aviation Routine Weather Report is an observation of the surface weather which is taken every hour.

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2
Q

What are the two types of METARs?

A

METAR and SPECI METAR. The SPECI is an unscheduled report indicating a significant change in one or more elements of the report.

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3
Q

What is the information available in a METAR?

A

Type of Report, Station, Date, Time, Modifier, Wind speed & Direction, Visibility, Present Weather, Sky Condition, Temperature, Dew Point, Altimeter, and Remarks.

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4
Q

What does “-“ in the present weather category of a METAR?

A

Light

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5
Q

What does “+” mean in the present weather section of a METAR?

A

Heavy

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6
Q

What does no symbol in the present weather section of a METAR mean?

A

Moderate

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7
Q

What does the modifier TS mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Thunderstorms

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8
Q

What does the modifier SH mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Showers

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9
Q

What does the modifier FZ mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Freezing

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10
Q

What does the modifier BL mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Blowing

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11
Q

What does the modifier DR mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Low Drifting

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12
Q

What does the modifier MI mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Shallow

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13
Q

What does the modifier BC mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Patches

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14
Q

What does the modifier PR mean on a present weather modifier?

A

Partial

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15
Q

What type of precipitation is RA?

A

Rain

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16
Q

What type of precipitation is DZ?

A

Drizzle

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17
Q

What type of precipitation is SN?

A

Snow

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18
Q

What type of precipitation is SG?

A

Snow Grains

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19
Q

What type of precipitation is GR

A

Hail (1/4” increments)

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20
Q

What type of precipitation is GS?

A

Small Hail/Snow pellets.

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21
Q

What type of precipitation is PE

A

Ice Pellets

22
Q

What type of precipitation is IC?

A

Ice Crystals

23
Q

What type of precipitation is UP?

A

Unknown Precipitation

24
Q

What is the significance of the “Remarks” section on the METAR?

A

To report weather that is considered significant to aircraft operations.

25
Q

What is a PIREP?

A

A Pilot Weather Report is pilot report weather as observed while in flight by a pilot to ATC or FSS.

26
Q

What is usually included in a PIREP?

A

Height of bases, tops of cloud layers, inflight visibility, icing, conditions, wind shear, and turbulence.

27
Q

What is a Radar Weather Report?

A

These are hourly reports issued from radar stations with special reports as required. They define areas of precipitation, type, intensity, and trend as well as direction and speed of the precipitation area.

28
Q

What is a TAF?

A

A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast is prediction of the expected surface conditions of a specific terminal. They are issued four times a day at scheduled intervals…0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, 1800Z. They are valid for 24hrs.

29
Q

What types of information is contained in a TAF?

A

TAFs contain much of the same information available in a METAR with one major addition being the prediction of weather rather observations. Is also has the probability of precipitation.

30
Q

What is an Area Forecast?

A

It’s a Forecast that covers a wide area and provide general weather conditions. It’s a good source of information for enroute weather. They are issued three times a day in the 48 mainland states.

31
Q

What are the four sections of a FA?

A

Area Forecasts are comprised of: a communications & product header section, a precautionary statement section, a synopsis section and VFR Clouds/WX section.

32
Q

What is the Winds and Temperatures Aloft report (FD)?

A

It’s a Forecast that provides estimates of wind direction in relation to true north, wind speed in knots, and temperature in celsius for specific altitudes. Typically reported between 3,000ft and 39,000ft.

33
Q

What are severe weather reports?

A

Non routine reports issued by special monitoring agencies that predict extreme weather that could be hazardous to aircraft.

34
Q

What are the two Severe Weather forecasts?

A

Convective Outlook (AC) and Severe Weather watch bulletin (WW).

35
Q

What information do AC’s predict?

A

Convective outlooks Forecast general thunderstorm activity for the next 24 hours.

36
Q

What information does a WW provide?

A

Severe weather watch bulletins report defined areas of possible severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

37
Q

What is a surface analysis chart?

A

Is a National Weather Service chart given every three hours that shows conditions as they existed a few hours ago. It shows the location of high and low pressure systems and their associated fronts.

38
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what color are cold fronts?

A

Blue

39
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what color are warm fronts?

A

Red

40
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what color are stationary fronts?

A

Red & Blue

41
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what color are occluded fronts and squall lines?

A

Purple

42
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what is the difference between round versus square station symbols?

A

Round symbols represent stations where observations are taken by observers versus automated sites are square.

43
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what does the symbol extended out from the station circle depict?

A

The general true wind direction information of surface winds and velocity in knots.

44
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what velocity of wind does one short barb represent?

A

5kts

45
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what velocity of wind does one long barb represent?

A

10kts

46
Q

In a surface analysis chart, what velocity of wind does one pennant represent?

A

50kts

47
Q

What is a weather depiction chart?

A

This can be considered a simplified version of the Surface Weather Chart, it’s composed of information from METARs. It’s prepared every three hours.

48
Q

What is the key advantage of a weather depiction chart?

A

One can quickly locate areas of adverse weather by simply scanning it.

49
Q

What is a Radar Summary Chart?

A

A computer generated chart from specialized radar equipment that can observe precipitation and cell of hazardous thunderstorms.

50
Q

What types of information can be depicted on a Radar Summary Chart?

A

The location, size, shape and intensity of radar returns as well as the intensity trend and direction of movement as they existed at the valid time.

51
Q

What is a prognostic weather chart?

A

A weather chart issued four times each day, forecasting weather for the next 12-24 hours via two panels. It covers from the surface to 24,000ft.

52
Q

What is one of the main benefits of prognostic charts?

A

Help pilots plan to avoid areas and altitudes where the most significant turbulences and freezing levels are forecast.