Weather Forecasts and Reports

(refer to figure 17) what wind is forecast for STL at 9,000 feet?

When you look at the line for STL is reporting 2332 + 02 at 9,000'. Winds from 230 degrees (first two digits). at 32 knots (second two digits), with a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius (last 2 digits)

Refer to Figure 14. The wind and temperature at 12,000 feet MSL as reported by a pilot

Wind condtions are after /WVsymbol and Temperature at the /TA symbol. /TA M7/WV 08021 means temperature minus 7 degrees Celsius, wind from 80 degrees at 21 knots

The most accurate part of a forecast occurs

at the beginning of the forecast period since it is based on the most recent data

Radar weather reports are of special interest to pilots because they indicate...

location of precipitation along with type, intensity, and cell movement of precipitation

The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is

specific to an airport

Refer to Figure 19. At what altitude is the freezing level over the middle of Florida on the 12-hour Significant Weather Prognostic Chart?

12,000 feet. A dashed line represents the freezing level. The number 120, over central Florida indicates the freezing level is at 12, 000'

Refer to Figure 15. In the TAF from KOKC the 'FM (FROM) Group' is forecast for the hours from 1600Z to 2200Z with the wind from

180 degrees at 10 knots. FM 051600 1801KT means that from 1600Z, winds are expected to be from 180 degrees at 10 knots

What is the valid period for the TAF for KMEM?

1800Z on the 12th to 2400Z on the 13th . TAFs generally valid for 24 or 30 hrs. 1218/1324 indicates the forecast is for the 12th day of the month and is valid from 1800Z on the 12th until 2400Z on the 13th.

Refer to Figure 17. Determine the wind and temperature aloft forecast for HLC at 9,000'

2113-03 for HLC at 9000' = winds at 210 degrees TRUE, at windspeed (velocity) of 13 knots with a temperature of -3 degrees Celsius

(refer to figure 17) What wind is forecast for STL at 12,000 feet

2339-04 Means 230 degrees TRUE winds, at 39 knots (kts) temperature of -04 degrees Celsius

Refer to Figure 17. What wind is forecast for AMA aat 12,000 feet?

2625-04 for AMA indicates the wind from 260 degrees true at 25 knots. Temperature is MINUS 4 degrees Celsius.

Refer to Figure 17. Determine the wind and temperature aloft forecast for ALS at 12, 000 feet.

2635-08 at ALS Means winds 260 degrees TRUE at 35 knots with a temperature of -8 Celsius

(Refer to Figure 15). In the TAF for KMEM, what does SHRA stand for?

3SM SHRA means three miles visibility in rain (RA) showers (SH) [ showers are rains that suddenly start intensely and then stop abruptly]

When the term "light and variable" is used in reference to a Winds Aloft Forecast, the coded group and windspeed is...

9900 and less than 5 knots

(Refer to Figure 18). What is the status of the front that extends from Nebraska through the upper peninsula of Michigan?

A COLD front is symbolized as a line with pointed barbs pointed in the direction of the movement

SIGMETs are issued as a warning of weather conditions hazardous to which aircraft?

ALL aircraft

AIRMET's are advisories of significant weather phenomena but of lower intensities than SIGMET's and are intended for dissemination to

ALL pilots to enhance safety

Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Reports sometimes called just Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METARs) contain:

Airport Identifier, Date and Zulu Time of Report, Wind degrees and speed, precipitation (if any), cloud coverage, temperature and dew point (within 2 degrees of each other is almost 100% chance of precipitation) Altimeter setting, SLP sea level pressure in inches of Mercury Hg or Millibars Metric

Refer to Figure 15. During the time period from 0600Z to 0800Z, what visibility is forecast for KOKC?

BECMG 0606/0608 21015kt P6SM means that between 0600Z and 0800Z the conditions will be becoming, winds from 210 degrees at 15 knots with greater than 6 miles

(Refer to Figure 15). Between 1000Z and 1200Z the visibility at KMEM is forecast to be?

BECMG 1310/1312 00000KT 3SM means 13th day of the month 1000(Zulu time assumed for last two digits of 1310) between and 13 day of the month 1200Z( Zulu time assumed for last two digits of 1312) 00000KTS = light and variable winds, 3SM= visibility 3 statute miles

Refer to Figure 14. If the terrain elevation is 1,295 feet MSL, what is the height above ground level of the base of the ceiling?

BKN (broken) constitutes a ceiling. //SK BKN018 means the sky has a broken layer beginning at 1,800' MSL. The field elevation is 1,295 MSL (1,800' MSL -1295MSL=595'AGL

On a TAF, the broken cloud layer is written as , BKN250 indicates

BKN250 = Broken cloud layer at 25,000 AGL

Refer to Figure 19. Interpret the weather symbol depicted in Utah on the 12 -hour Significant Weather Prognostic Chart.

By the legend in the middle of the map the single "hat" symbol signifies moderate turbulence. The number with a forward slash identifies a turbulence layer from the surface. In Utah, the 180/ means MODERATE TURBULENCE FROM THE SURFACE TO 18,000 FEET.

Refer to Fig 15. The only cloud type forecast in TAF reports is

Cumulonnimbus (CB) are the only cloud type forecasts in TAFs

Refer to Figure 19. How are Significant Weather Prognostic Charts best used by a pilot?

For determining areas of freezing and turbulence levels to AVOID

(Refer to Figure 18.) Of what value is the Weather Depiction Chart to the pilot?

For determining general weather conditions on which to base flight planning

METARs have a four letter identifier. In the U.S. METARs begin with the letter:

In the 48 contiguous states they begin with the letter K

To determine the freezing level and areas of probable icing aloft, the pilot should refer to the

Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories (AIRMETs and SIGMETs provide info on icing)

(Refer to Figure 12.) What are the wind conditions at Wink, Texas (KINK)?

KINL is reporting the wind as 11012G18KT. This means that the wind direction (first three digits) is from 110 TRUE at (next two digit) 12 knots, (plus gusting information) to 18 knots= 110 degrees at 12 knots, gusts to 18 knots.

(Refer to Figure 12.) The wind direction and velocity at KJFK is from

KJFK is reporting the wind direction and speed and velocity as 18004KT. This means the wind direction (first three digits) is from 180 true at (last two digits) 04 knots

(Refer to Figure 12.) What are the current conditions depicted for Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW)?

KMDW is reporting OVC007, an overcast ceiling of 700', and 1 1/2 SM RA, or a visibility of one and a half statute miles in moderate rain

(Refer to Figure 18.) According to the Weather Depiction Chart, the weather for a flight from southern Michigan to north Indiana is ceilings

LOOK at the KEY/LEGEND BELOW THE US MAP WHERE the Gulf of Mexico would be. The key/legend tells you that the lack of contours on the chart indicates ..VFR AREAS WITH CEILINGS (CIG) greater than 3000' AND VISIBILITY (VSBY) GREATER THAN 5 MILES

For aviation purposes, ceiling is defined as the height above the Earth's surface of the

LOWEST BROKEN OR OVERCAST (AGL) or VERTICAL VISIBILITY into an OBSCURATION

(Refer to Figure 12.) The remarks section for KMDW has RAB35 listed. This entry means

RAB35 means that rain began at 35 minutes past the hour. The report was made at 1856Z.

What is indicated when a current CONVECTIVE SIGMET forecasts thunderstorms?

SEVERE thunderstorms, LINES of thunderstorms, thunderstorms with WIDE SPREAD HEAVY PRECIPITATION, AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS

(Refer to Figure 15.) In the TAF from KOKC, the clear sky becomes

SKC BECMG 0522/0524 20013G20K 4SM SHRA OVC020 means that the clear sky will be becoming between 2200Z and 2400Z, winds from 200 degrees at 13 knot gusting to 20 knots , 4 statute miles visibility in rain showers with an overcast at 2000' THUS the answer is OVERCAST AT 2000 FEET DURING THE FORECAST PERIOD BETWEEN 2000Z AND 2400Z

If you read in a METAR the symbols "SKC" and "OVC, refer to:

SKC= SKY COVER CLEAR, OVD indicaties Sky cover OVERCAST

The information in a METAR is

Sequential following a prescribed format

What information is contained in a CONVECTIVE SIGMET?

TORNADOES, EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS< AND HAIL 3/4 INCH OR GREATER THAT CAN DAMAGE OR DESTROY AIRCRAFT PARTS, FUSELAGES, CONTROLS, AND SURFACES

What values are used for Winds Aloft Forecasts?

TRUE direction and KNOTS.

(Refer to Figure 14.) The base and tops of the overcast layer reported by a pilot are

The PIREP (PILOT REPORT) gives sky cover after the SK symbol. It describes cloud amount, MSL height of Cloud Bases, and MSL height of cloud tops. The overcast layer, OVC072-TOP089, if 7200' MSL and 8900' MSL.

(Refer to Figure 14.) The intensity and type of icing reported by a pilot is

The PIREP reports as /IC LGT-MOD RIME 072-089= Icing Light to moderate rime from 7,200' to 8,900'

(Refer to Figure 14.) The intensity of the turbulence reported at a specific altitude is

The PIRREP reports Turbulences as /TB LGT 055-072-light turbulence between 5500' and 7200'

Which in-flight advisory would contain information on severe icing not associated with thunderstorms?

The SIGMET contains severe weather for ALL aircraft including severe icing

(Refer to Figure 12.) Which of the reporting stations have VFR weather?

VFR requires CEILINGS of 1000' or more and visibilities of 3 miles or more. KINK, KBOI, and KLAX are reporting this.

To obtain current information regarding cloud tops, icing, and turbulence check the:

Valuable information regarding the CURRENT conditions as they actually exist IN THE AIR cannot be gathered from any other source than PILOT REPORTS (PIREPS).

A TAF includes

Wind, visibility, weather phenomena, obstructions to vision, and cloud coverage.