Weather Observations Flashcards
(166 cards)
1
Q
METAR? (Not an acronym)
A
Aviation Routine Weather Report
2
Q
Aviation Routine Weather Report? (METAR)
A
- Primary Observation Code
2. for reporting surface meteorological data.
3
Q
How often are METARs transmitted?
A
At least once per hour.
4
Q
Automated Observation?
A
Weather observation report from an automated system without a certified weather observer.
5
Q
Manual Observation?
A
Weather observation report from a certified weather observer.
6
Q
Wind?
A
- Horizontal motion of air
2. Past a given point.
7
Q
Prevailing visibility?
A
- Representative visibility at the station.
- Greatest distance that can be seen throughout at least half of the horizon circle
- 180 non-contiguous degrees.
8
Q
Obscuration?
A
- Any atmospheric phenomenon
- Not precipitation
- reduces horizontal visibility.
9
Q
Sky Condition?
A
- State of the sky in terms of:
- Sky cover
- Layers
- and (Layers) associated heights, ceiling, and cloud type.
10
Q
Layer
A
- Array of clouds/obstructions
2. whose bases are at about the same level
11
Q
Dew Point
A
- required air temp at
- constant pressure and
- constant water-vapor content
- for saturation to occur
12
Q
Altimeter setting
A
- The altitude above mean sea level
2. of an aircraft on the ground.
13
Q
Virga
A
- Precipitation that evaporates before reaching the surface.
14
Q
What 2 things can Virga indicate?
A
- Icing hazard
2. Microburst
15
Q
How are METARs organized?
A
- Standardized format in
2. groups of information.
16
Q
When a piece of information isn’t available for a METAR, how is that unavailable information reported?
A
“Missing”
EX- Wind Missing
17
Q
What 3 pieces of information are always contained in a METAR?
A
RVR
Present weather
Remarks
18
Q
RVR?
A
Runway visual range
19
Q
What are 3 automated weather observation systems?
A
- AWOS
- ASOS
- AWSS
20
Q
AWOS
A
Automated Weather Observing System
21
Q
ASOS
A
Automated Surface Observing Systems
22
Q
AWSS
A
Automated Weather Sensor System
23
Q
What is the phraseology for a SPECI report?
A
Special Report
24
Q
Are SPECI reports scheduled?
A
No
25
What is the specific criteria for a SPECI report?
Important Changes have been observed.
26
Can all automated equipment evaluate SPECI criteria?
No
27
When is an aircraft mishap reported under SPECI Criteria, and what can stop that report?
1. Upon notification of the aircraft mishap
| 2. Unless there's been an intervening observation.
28
When should a SPECI report be filed regarding ceiling?
1. If the ceiling forms or dissipates below,
2. decreases to less than,
3. or increases to equal or
4. exceed specific altitudes.
29
A SPECI report should be filed if the ceiling forms or dissipates below, decreases to less than, or increases to equal or exceed what 5 possible altitudes?
1. 3,000'
2. 1,500'
3. 1,000'
4. 500'
5. Lowest standard approach minimum published in NOS US Instrument Procedures
OR
6. 200'
30
In what 3 circumstances should a SPECI report be filed concerning precipitation?
Hail, Freezing precipitation, and/or ice pellets
1. begin
2. end
3. change intensity.
31
NOS?
National Ocean Service
32
When should a SPECI report be filed due to runway RVR?
1. decreases to less than
2. or increases to greater to
3. 2400'
4. in the last 10 mins
33
Can the Military generate SPECI reports due to RVR?
No
34
When should a SPECI report be filed due to Sky Condition?
1. layer of clouds or obscurations appears
| 2. below 1,000'
35
When should a SPECI report be filed due to Squalls?
Whenever they occur.
36
When should a SPECI report be filed due to Thunderstorms?
1. When they begin
| 2. When they end
37
When should a SPECI report be filed due to Tornado, Funnel Cloud, or Waterspout?
1. When observed
| 2. When it ends/stops being observed.
38
When should a SPECI report be filed due to visibility?
```
Surface visibility decreases below, or increases above:
1. 3 SM
2. 2 SM
3. 1 SM
4. Lowest NOS minimum
OR
5. If none, 1/2 SM
```
39
When should a SPECI report be filed due to Volcanic Eruption?
When observed
40
When should a SPECI report be filed due to Wind Shift?
1. Wind direction changes 45 degrees or more
2. in less than 15 mins
3. wind speed is 10 knots or more during the shift.
41
When should a SPECI report be filed due to misc factors?
1. Any other critical meteorological situation
| 2. Based on observer's opinion.
42
What station ID will be used in a SPECI/METAR report?
4-letter ICAO airport ID
43
What does the first letter of an ICAO airport ID designate?
Large country code
44
What letter is used as the country code for the Continental US in the ICAO code?
"K"
45
What date and time is recorded for a SPECI report?
When SPECI criteria was met
46
In what time is a METAR/SPECI report set?
UTC
47
In what format is the time of a METAR/SPECI report indicated?
(DAY)(HOUR)(MINUTE)
48
What 3 report modifiers are used in a SPECI/METAR report and what do they mean?
AUTO: Automated
COR: Corrected
No modifier: Manual/Augmented observation
49
What do the first 3 digits in a Wind section of a SPECI/METAR report indicate?
1. Wind direction relative to true north
| 2. VRB: variable direction less than 6kts
50
What do the 4th and 5th digit in the wind section of a SPECI/METAR report indicate?
Wind speed
51
If the 6th digit in the wind section of a SPECI/METAR report is a "G" what does it mean?
Gusts
52
How would "wind calm" be sown in a METAR/SPECI report?
00000KT
53
How would gusts of 15 knots be shown on the METAR/SPECI report?
xxxxxG15KT
54
What does the "visibility section of a SPECI/METAR report indicate?
Surface visibility in SM
55
When is RVR reported on a METAR/SPECI?
When visibility is:
1. 1SM or less and or
2. RVR is 6,000' or less
56
What 3 characters may the Runway Visual range on a METAR/SPECI be prefaced by and what do they mean?
P: "Greater than"
M: "Less than"
V: "variable between two values"
57
What are the 3 Qualifiers of the Present Weather listed on a SPECI/METAR report?
1. Intensity
2. proximity
3. Descriptor
58
What are the 3 types of Weather Phenomena of the Present Weather listed on a SPECI/METAR report?
1. Precipitation
2. Obscuration
3. Other
59
What are the 4 Intensity or proximity qualifiers that can be on the Present Weather section of a METAR/SPECI report?
1. - Light
2. Moderate
3. + Heavy
4. VC (in the vicinity)
60
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> MI meaning?
MI = Shallow
61
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> PR meaning?
PR = Partial
62
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> BC meaning?
BC = Patches
63
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> DR meaning?
DR = Low drifting
64
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> BL meaning?
BL = Blowing
65
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> SH meaning?
SH = Shower(s)
66
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> TS meaning?
TS = Thunderstorm
67
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Qualifier ==> Descriptor ==> FZ meaning?
FZ = Freezing
68
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> DZ meaning?
DZ = Drizzle
69
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> RA meaning?
RA = Rain
70
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> SN meaning?
SN = Snow
71
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> SG meaning?
SG = Snow grains
72
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> IC meaning?
IC = Ice crystals
73
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> PL meaning?
PL = Ice pellets
74
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> GR meaning?
GR = Hail
75
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> GS meaning?
GS = Small hail/snow pellets
76
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Precipitation ==> UP meaning?
UP = Unknown precipitation
77
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> BR meaning?
BR = Mist
78
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> FG meaning?
FG = Fog
79
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> FU meaning?
FU = Smoke
80
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> VA meaning?
VA = Volcanic Ash
81
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> DU meaning?
DU = Widespread dust
82
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> SA meaning?
SA = Sand
83
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> HZ meaning?
HZ = Haze
84
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Obscuration ==> PY meaning?
PY = Spray
85
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Other ==> PO meaning?
PO = Well developed dust/sand whirls
86
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Other ==> SQ meaning?
SQ = Squalls
87
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Other ==> FC meaning?
FC = Funnel cloud, tornado, waterspout
88
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Other ==> SS meaning?
SS = Sand storm
89
METAR/SPECI report ==> Present Weather ==> Weather Phenomena ==> Other ==> DS meaning?
DS = Dust storm
90
Present weather on a METAR/SPECI report, what does +FZRA mean?
Heavy Freezing Rain
91
Present weather on a METAR/SPECI report, what does -TSGR mean?
Light Thunderstorm Hail
92
Present weather on a METAR/SPECI report, what does MISN mean?
Shallow Snow
93
Present weather on a METAR/SPECI report, what does SHDZ mean?
Showers Drizzle
94
What are the 4 factors measured when reporting Sky Condition?
1. Sky Cover
2. Cloud Type
3. 3-digit altitude
4. Multiple layers in ascending order
95
What is Sky Cover?
Amount of sky hidden by clouds/obstructions.
96
In what fraction is Sky Cover measured?
Eighths
97
What are the 4 measurements of Sky Condition?
FEW - Few clouds
SCT - Scattered
BKN - Broken (ceiling)
OVC - Overcast (ceiling)
98
With what 3 digit number is altitude below 50' AGL reported on a METAL/SPECI?
000
99
What type of reporting stations report on Cloud Type?
Manual reporting stations
100
What is Cloud Type TCU?
Towering Cumulus
101
What is Cloud Type CB?
Cumulonimbus
102
What code is used for Clear Skys in Automated reports?
CLR
103
What does a CLR report indicate?
No layers at or below 12,000' MSL
104
What code is used for Clear Skys in Manual reports?
SKC
105
What does an SKC report indicate?
No layers
106
What is the code for Vertical Visibility?
VV(3 digits indicating ceiling)
| EX VV002 - Indefinite Ceiling, two hundred
107
What is the phraseology for SKC or CLR?
1. Clear, or,
| 2. Clear below one two thousand
108
What is the phraseology for FEW?
Few clouds at (altitude)
109
What is the phraseology for SCT?
(Altitude) scattered
110
What is the phraseology for BKN?
(Altitude) overcast
111
What is the phraseology for VV?
Indefinite ceiling (Altitude)
112
When broadcasting a METAR/SPECI report, what needs to be stated before lowest BKN or OVC layer?
"Ceiling" then BKN or OVC layer
113
What Phraseology is used if the layer is 000 and an obscuration is present?
SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED
114
What Phraseology is used if the layer is 000 and there is no obstruction?
LESS THAN FIVE ZERO
115
What what measurement of degrees is the temperature/dew point given?
Celsius
116
How many digits is the Temperature/Dew Point given in and how are they separated?
1. 4 digits
| 2. 2 pair separated by a “/”
117
What are the first two digits in the Temperature/Dew Point?
temperature
118
What are the second two digits in the Temperature/Dew Point?
dew point
119
What phraseology would be used if the Temperature/Dew Point
| is 10/08
TEMPERATURE ONE ZERO, DEW POINT EIGHT
120
How are negative numbers in a measure of the Temperature/Dew Point indicated?
prefixed by an “M” for minus
121
How is altimeter indicated on a METAR/SPECI report?
A and 4-digits
122
What is the phraseology used if the altimeter indicated is A2998?
ALTIMETER TWO NINER NINER EIGHT
123
What remarks added to a METAR/SPECI report?
1. Automated, Manual, plain language
| 2. Additional and maintenance data
124
In the remarks section of a METAR/SPECI, what do the letters B and E indicate?
B - Beginning
| E - End
125
In the remarks section of a METAR/SPECI, what is the additional and maintenance data shown?
Sensor status indicators
126
Encode Shallow
MI
127
Encode Partial
PR
128
Encode Patches
BC
129
Encode Low Drifting
DR
130
Encode Blowing
BL
131
Encode Shower
SH
132
Encode Thunderstorm
TS
133
Encode Freezing
FZ
134
Encode Drizzle
DZ
135
Encode Rain
RA
136
Encode Snow
SN
137
Encode Snow Grains
SG
138
Encode Ice Crystals
IC
139
Encode Ice Pellets
PL
140
Encode Hail
GR
141
Encode Small hail/snow pellets
GS
142
Encode Unknown precipitation
UP
143
Encode Mist
BR
144
Encode Fog
FG
145
Encode Smoke
FU
146
Encode Volcanic Ash
VA
147
Encode Widespread dust
DU
148
Encode Sand
SA
149
Encode Haze
HZ
150
Encode Spray
PY
151
Encode Well developed dust/sand whirls
PO
152
Encode Squalls
SQ
153
Encode Funnel cloud, tornado, waterspout
FC
154
Encode Sand storm
SS
155
Encode Dust storm
DS
156
Decode VV002
Indefinite Ceiling two hundred
157
Decode VV020
Indefinite ceiling two thousand
158
Encode Indefinite Ceiling two hundred
VV002
159
Encode Indefinite ceiling two thousand
VV020
160
What cloud layer would describe 1/8th sky coverage?
FEW
161
What cloud layer would describe 3/8th sky coverage?
Scattered
162
What cloud layer would describe 5/8th sky coverage?
Broken
163
Decode SCT070 OVC080
Seven thousand scattered, ceiling eight thousand overcast
164
Encode six hundred overcast, ceiling eight thousand broken
OVC006 BKN080
165
Decode FEW003 SCT030
Three hundred few, ceiling three thousand scattered.
166
Encode two hundred broken, ceiling five thousand overcast.
BKN002 OVC050
