Weather Reports, Forecasts and Charts Flashcards
What is a METAR?
(AC 00-45) Aviation Routine Weather Report is weather observer’s interpretation of weather conditions. Two types: manual and automated (AWOS/ASOS).
What is a PIREP?
(AC 00-45) Pilot report providing information regarding conditions that exist in the air. Two types: routine (UA) or urgent (UUA).
What is a TAF?
(AC 00-45) Terminal Aerodrome Forecast is a precise statement of expected meteorological conditions for a specified period within 5nm of the center of the airport’s runway complex. Same code as METAR.
What source of information should be used to obtain the expected weather at a destination airport that does not have a TAF?
(AC 00-45) Graphical Forecast Analysis (GFA)
What is the Graphical Forecast Analysis (GFA)?
(AIM 7-1-4) Web-based graphics the provide observations, forecasts and warnings that can be viewed 14 hours in the past to 15 hours in the future.
What are the types of inflight aviation weather advisories?
(AIM 7-1-6)
1) AIRMET
2) SIGMET
3) Convective SIGMET
4) CWA
What is a Convective SIGMET?
(AIM 7-1-6) Convective SIGMET imply severe or greater turbulence, severe icing and low-level wind sheer. Issued hourly at H+55 minutes.
a. Severe thunderstorms due to surface winds ≥ 50 kt, hail ≥ ¾”, Tornadoes
b. Emedded thunderstorms
c. Line of thunderstorms
d. Thunderstorms affecting 40% or more of an area at least 3,000 square miles
What is a SIGMET
(AIM 7-1-6) A SIGMET advises of weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft. Unscheduled and valid for 4 hours.
a. Severe icing not associated with thunderstorms
b. Severe or extreme turbulence or Clear Air Turbulence not associated with thunderstorms
c. Dust storms
d. Volcanic ash
What is an AIRMET?
(AIM 7-1-6) An AIRMET is an advisory of significant weather phenomena at intensities lower than issuance of SIGMET. Issued every 6 hours. Two formats: text (WA) and graphical (G-AIRMET).
a. IFR
b. Mountain obscuration
c. turbulence
d. strong surface winds
e. icing
f. freezing levels
What are the different types of AIRMETs?
(AIM 7-1-6) Three types of AIRMETs
a. AIRMET Sierra = IFR conditions and mountain obscurations
b. AIRMET Tango = Turbulence, sustained winds ≥ 30 kt, non-convective low level wind sheer
c. AIRMET Zulu = Moderate icing and freezing levels
What is a winds and temperatures aloft forecast (FB)?
(AC 00-45) Winds and temperature aloft are forecast for specific locations. Issued 4 times daily. Uses 4 digit code to show wind direction (ref True North), and wind speed in knots, with an additional 2 digit code group for temperature in Celsius.
a. Light and variable = 9900
b. Winds > 100kt = Subtract 50 from direction and add 100 to speed
What valuable information can be determined from Winds and Temperatures Aloft (FB)?
(AC 00-45) Most favorable altitude, areas of icing, temperature inversions, turbulence
What is a Center Weather Advisory (CWA)?
(AC 00-45) CWA is an aviation warning for use by aircrews to anticipate and avoid adverse weather conditions in the enroute and terminal areas. Short term “nowcast” identifying hazardous weather within a 2-hour period.
What is a Convective Outlook (AC)?
(AC 00-45) Convective outlook is a narrative and graphical outlook of the potential of severe and non-severe convection during following 8 days. Defines areas of marginal risk, slight risk, enhanced risk, moderate risk, or high risk.
What is a Surface Analysis Chart?
(AC 00-45) Surface analysis chart is an analyzed chart of surface weather observations. The chart depicts the distribution of several items including sea level pressure, the positions of highs, lows, ridges, and troughs, the location and character of fronts, and the various boundaries such as drylines, outflow boundaries, sea-breeze fronts, and convergence lines. Issued eight times daily.
