Sport / Private Ground School Lesson 7 Weather Products
Weather Types Text Weather Actual Condi=ons Forecasts Graphical Weather Current Condi=ons Forecasts
Text Weather Notes Winds are reported in reference to true north 30015G24 (300 @ 15 knots with Gusts to 24 knots) Visibility reported in statute miles (SM) 6SM (6 Statute Miles) P6SM (greater than 6 SM) Ceiling is the lowest broken or overcast layer (50% or more) Clear: < 1/8 Few: 1/8 to 2/8 ScaWered: 3/8 to 4/8 Broken: 5/8 to 7/8 Overcast: > 7/8 In controlled airspace, VFR condi=ons exist with a visibility of at least 3sm and a ceiling of 1,000 or more
Current Condi=ons METAR MEteorological Terminal Avia=on Rou=ne Weather Report or METeorological Aerodrome Report. Avia=on Rou=ne Weather Report Updated at least once per hour, normally at 55 minutes past the hour PIREP Produced by Pilots Actual condi=ons Normal Pilot Reports (UA) Urgent Pilot Reports (UUA) Disseminated by ATC
METAR METAR KAPA 270153Z 04008KT 10SM SCT060 BKN070 07/M03 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP188 T00671028 Condi>ons at KAPA: Observed 0153 UTC 27 th of the month Winds: From the NE (40 degrees) at 8 knots Visibility: 10 or more miles Clouds: ScaWered clouds at 6000 feet AGL; broken clouds at 7000 feet AGL Temperature: 7 C Dewpoint: - 3 C Al>meter: 30.07 inches Hg Remarks: A02: Automated sta=on with precipita=on discriminator SLP188: Sea level pressure in millibars 1018.8 mb T00671028: Temperature/dewpoint in tenths C 6.7/- 2.8
Pilot Report (PIREP) PUB UA /OV PUB/TM 0114/FL400/TP B737/TB OCNL MOD CHOP 400/RM CONT LGT CHOP AWC- WEBWNCO PUB UA: Pueblo rou=ne report OV PUB: Loca=on in rela=on to Pueblo TM 0114: Time 0114Z FL400: Flight level 400 (40,000 ) TP B737: Type Boeing 737 TB OCNL MOD CHOP 400: Turbulence, occasional moderate chop at 40,000 RM CONT LGT CHOP AWC- WEBWNCO: Reported via Avia=on Weather Center s web- based PIREP system
Printed Weather Forecasts TAF: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast Published 4 =mes per day FA: Area Forecast Published 3 =mes per day FD: Winds & Temp Aloh Forecast Published 2 =mes per day AIRMET: Airman s Meteorological Informa=on Published every 6 hours SIGMET: Significant Meteorological Informa=on Published when a pilot makes a report Convec>ve SIGMET Published As- Needed
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) Usually valid for 24hr period Updated four =mes a day Cumulonimbus (CB) are the only type of cloud included on a TAF Max visibility reported as P6SM (greater than 6 SM)
TAF Forecast Modifiers (sample) FM1900 07010KT P6SM SCT012 BKN020 Rapid change in weather (within 1 hour) BECMG 0610 P6SM NSW Gradual change in weather (over 2 hours) TEMPO 1923 VRB08G18KT 3SM TSRA Temporary change in weather PROB30 0004 2SM TSRA OVC010CB Probability Forecast when probability is 30-49%
TAF Example KAPA 012059Z 0121/0218 07007KT P6SM SCT010 OVC020 TEMPO 0121/0201 3SM - SN BR BKN010 OVC020 FM020100 10007KT 5SM - SN BR SCT008 BKN015 OVC025 TEMPO 0201/0205 2SM - SN BR BKN007 FM021000 VRB05KT P6SM VCFG SCT015 BKN050 FM021300 18006KT P6SM FEW030 SCT060 FM021700 14008KT P6SM FEW060 SCT120
Avia=on Area Forecast (FA) Use to determine wx condi=ons between repor=ng sta=ons and over several states. Helpful in determining wx at airports w/o TAFs
FA Notes Four Sec=ons Heading (valid =mes) Synopsis: 18 hours VFR Clouds and Weather: 12 hours Outlook: 6 hours Precau=onary Statements Synopsis VFR Clouds and Weather
FA Sample 000 FAUS45 KKCI 012045 FA5W SLCC FA 012045 SYNOPSIS AND VFR CLDS/WX SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 021500 CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 020900...OTLK VALID 020900-021500 ID MT WY NV UT CO AZ NM. SEE AIRMET SIERRA FOR IFR CONDS AND MTN OBSCN. TS IMPLY SEV OR GTR TURB SEV ICE LLWS AND IFR CONDS. NON MSL HGTS DENOTED BY AGL OR CIG.
FA Sample SYNOPSIS...BROAD UPR LVL TROF WILL CONT OVR WRN US DURG FCST PD WITH MOIST FLOW FROM PAC ESEWD ACRS AREA. UPR LVL LOW PRES SYS OVR ERN PAC NR 45N/140W WILL MOVE SEWD TOWARDS AREA. BY 15Z UPR LVL LOW PRES SYS WILL OVR CSTL SXNS OF NRN CA.
FA Sample CO MTNS AND WEST... SERN PTNS...OVC080-100 TOPS FL180. WDLY SCT - SHSN LWRG VIS 3-5SM. BECMG 0609 SCT100 SCT150. OTLK...VFR. REST OF AREA BKN- SCT080 TOPS 120-140. ISOL - SHSN. BECMG 0306 SCT100 SCT150. OTLK...VFR. ERN PLNS/FOOTHILLS...OVC050-070 LYRD FL200. OCNL - SN BR LWRG VIS 3SM. OTLK...MVFR CIGS BR.
Winds Aloh Forecast (FD) Winds given in true direc=on; speed shown in knots First 2 digits: wind direc=on Next 2 digits: wind speed * Last 2 digits: temp C (neg above 24k ) 9900 = light and variable No winds are forecast within 1,500 h AGL No temperatures are forecast within 3,000 h AGL No temperatures within 2,500 h AGL
Winds Aloh Forecast (FD) ** Winds between 100 and 199kts are displayed by subtrac=ng 50 to the two- digit wind direc=on and adding 100 from the 2- digit velocity. So 7701 = winds 270@101 (subtract 50 from direc1on, add 100 to velocity)
AIRMET: In- flight Avia=on WX Advisories Warn of weather condi=ons which are par=cularly hazardous to small, single- engine aircrah (moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sfc winds 30kts, ceiling < 1,000, vis < 3sm) Sierra: IFR, Mountain obscura=on Tango: Turbulence, winds, LLWS Zulu: Icing and freezing levels
AIRMET: In- flight Avia=on WX Advisories AIRMET ICE...WY UT CO AZ NM FROM CYS TO SNY TO GLD TO 50W LBL TO 30ESE TBE TO 60WSW LBB TO 50N ELP TO 50N SSO TO 40NE PHX TO 30NE DRK TO 50ESE JNC TO 20W CHE TO CYS MOD ICE BTN FRZLVL AND FL180. FRZLVL SFC- 080. CONDS CONTG BYD 03Z ENDG 06-09Z. 19
SIGMET Warn of weather hazards such as severe icing, which concern all aircrah Severe turbulence Dust storms Sand storms Volcanic Erup=ons
Convec=ve SIGMET Warn of convec=ve weather hazards Tornadoes Embedded thunderstorms Hail ¾ or greater in diameter
Convec=ve SIGMET CONVECTIVE SIGMET 5C VALID UNTIL 0555Z LA AR TX FROM 20SE ELD- MLU- 20N LFK- 30W GGG- 20SE ELD AREA TS MOV FROM 29035KT. TOPS TO FL230. OUTLOOK VALID 270555-270955 FROM 30NE JAN- 40ENE MCB- 40SE LFK- 60WSW GGG- 30NE JAN WST ISSUANCES POSS. REFER TO MOST RECENT ACUS01 KWNS FROM STORM PREDICTION CENTER FOR SYNOPSIS AND METEOROLOGICAL DETAILS.
Convec=ve SIGMET 23
Graphic Reports Surface analysis chart Weather depic=on chart Radar summary chart
Surface Analysis Charts Shows areas of high and low pressure Shows Temperatures and Dew Points Published every 3 hours Cold Front Warm Front Sta=onary Front Occluded Front
Weather Depic=on Chart A sta=on circle shows the visibility, cloud height or ceiling, and weather and/or obstruc=ons to vision For flight planning, the weather depic=on chart is most useful for determining general weather condi=ons and quickly loca=ng areas of adverse weather
Sta=on Model
Weather Depic=on Chart Published every 3 hours
Radar Summary Chart Depicts the loca=on of precipita=on, as well as direc=on and speed of movement of radar returns Individual t- storm cells as well as lines of thunderstorms are depicted on radar summary charts Since radar only reflects precipita=on, it does not detect cloud forma=ons Published once per hour
Radar Summary Chart
Graphic Forecasts Low- level prog. chart Severe weather outlook chart Winds and temperature aloh chart
Low Level Significant Weather Prog Chart Low- level = below 24,000 Helps you avoid areas of: Low visibility Low ceilings Significant turbulence Icing condi=ons
4 Panel Prog Chart 12 hour forecast 24 hour forecast Turbulence, Freezing levels, IFR/MVFR Surface Prognos=cs Legend
Significant WX Panels Freezing level MSL Ceiling < 1,000 and/or vis < 3sm Moderate or greater turbulence Ceiling 1-8k and/or vis 3-5sm
Surface Prog Panel
Severe Weather Outlook Chart
Winds and Temperatures Aloh Chart
Pre- Flight Weather Services 1-800- WX- BRIEF DUATS Internet/Commercial services
WX Brief Standard Briefing: provides the most complete info concerning weather for your flight. Briefer assumes you have not received any preliminary info Abbreviated Briefing: update informa=on from other sources or an earlier briefing Outlook Briefing: for departures six or more hours in the future
WX Brief Standard Briefing Info Needed Type flight: VFR Aircrah ID: 1277K Aircrah Type: AAT4 Departure: Centennial Airport (APA) Departure Time: 1600Z; or in 30 minutes Cruising al=tude: 8,000 Route of Flight: 15nm to the southeast Des=na=on: Returning to APA Est =me en route: 1 ½ hours
DUATS Direct User Access Terminal Online method of receiving wx briefings and filing flight plans www.duat.com www.duats.com Free service (pilot cer=ficate req)
Internet / Commercial Sources www.avia=onweather.gov
In- Flight Weather Sources Flight Watch (EFAS) Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB) Hazardous In- flight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) Automated Surface Observa=on System (ASOS)
Flight Watch Enroute Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) EFAS provides actual wx info, including thunderstorms which might affect your route 122.0 between 5,000 AGL and 18,000 MSL Denver Flight Watch, Gobosh 1277K, Falcon VOR
TWEB Transcribed Weather Broadcast Con=nuous broadcast of local area weather condi=ons and forecasts, advisories, winds aloh, NOTAMS, etc Broadcast over select VORs A T in the upper right corner indicates NAVAID with TWEB
HIWAS Hazardous In- flight Weather Advisory Service AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Convec=ve SIGMETs, Urgent PIREPs
AWOS / ASOS Automated Weather Observing System/Automated Surface Observa=on System Provide real- =me weather info: Al=meter, wind, temp/dewpoint, visibility, cloud, ceiling ASOS adds even more data including precip type and intensity
Addi=onal Resources Avia=on Weather (AC 00-6A): hwp://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/ Advisory_Circular/AC%2000-6A%20Chap%201-3.pdf Avia=on Weather Services (AC 00-45G): hwp://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/ Advisory_Circular/AC- 0045G_chg1_fullDocument.pdf
Test Time!