Gold Seal Weather

Question 1

define

Ceiling

Answer 1

– Lowest layer of broken or overcast clouds

Question 2

define

IFR conditions

ceilings, visibilities

Answer 2

Ceilings less than 1,000 feet or visibilities less than three statute miles

Question 3

define

MVFR conditions

ceilings, visibilities

Answer 3

Ceilings between 1,000 and 3,000 feet AGL or visibilities from three to five statute miles

Question 4

reports

AIRMET

what is…

Answer 4

An AIRMET is an advisory of significant weather conditions primarily of interest to smaller aircraft.
Issued every six hours, AIRMETs report IFR conditions, moderate turbulence, moderate icing, and surface winds of 30 knots or greater.

Question 5

reports

SIGMET

define…

Answer 5

advisory of non-convective conditions hazardous to all aircraft. SIGMETs report severe turbulence, severe icing, and obscurations due to duststorms or volcanic ash. SIGMETs forecast
conditions for a maximum of four hours.

Question 6

reports

Convective SIGMET

define…

Answer 6

SIGMET associated with thunderstorms. SIGMETs forecast conditions for a maximum of 2 hours.

Question 7

how often

METARs

Answer 7

hourly observation at an airport

Question 8

define

TAFs

Answer 8

24-hour forecast of conditions expected within five statute miles of an airport. Issued every six hours: 00, 06, 12,18 Zulu

Question 9

define

Aviation Area Forecasts

Answer 9

general weather forecast that covers several states and uses abbreviations similar to those used in TAFs. They are issued three times a day.

Question 10

define

Severe Weather Outlook Charts

Answer 10

a two-panel chart that presents a 48-hour forecast of thunderstorms and severe thunderstorms, indicating expected areas of coverage. Issued 5 times a day.

Question 11

define

Surface Analysis Charts

overview chart

Answer 11

Generated every three hours, a Surface Analysis Chart shows fronts, winds, and temperature/dewpoints across the contiguous United States. This is the type of overview chart that you usually see in newspapers and on television weather reports.

Question 12

define

Significant Weather Prognostic Charts

Answer 12

Surface Analysis chart shown as a forecast in increments of 12 hours into the future. Nothing special except that the aviation version outlines areas of IFR, MVFR, significant turbulence, and freezing levels.

Question 13

define

Weather Depiction Charts

Answer 13

The Weather Depiction Chart shows fronts, cloud coverage at reporting stations across the country, and outlines current areas of IFR and MVFR. It is peppered with small circles that represent reporting
stations. The circles are filled in to indicate cloud cover.

Question 14

define

Freezing Level Charts

Answer 14

Freezing Level Charts are dedicated to identifying current areas and altitudes where
freezing temperatures exist.

Question 15

what is…

HIWAS

Answer 15

A recorded broadcast of hazardous weather transmitted over the voice channel of some VOR
stations. You can locate them on your sectional. The availability of HIWAS will be indicated by a small
circle with the letter “H” in it within the VOR information box.