How often are METARs issues? Every hour, or whenever the weather changes and necessitates a change. In that
situation, a SPECI (special METAR) is issued.
What is a SPECI? A special METAR which is created in between the hourly METARs due to a change
in weather necessitating the change.
-Change of winds necessitating a new runway.
-WX changing from IFR to VFR or VFR to IFR.
Do METARs describe actual or forecast conditions? METARs depict actual field conditions.
Define Radiation fog Shallow fog, ground fog. occurs on clear nights, little or no wind, and small temp/DP
spread (high relative humidity). Occurs at night or daybreak. Radiation cools the
ground. The ground cools the air. When the air is cooled to the dew-point, fog
forms.
Define Advection fog This fog forms when moist air moves over colder ground or water. Common along
the coast.
What is lake effect? Describe one major consequence of Air moving across a sizeable lake absorbs water vapor.
lake effect in winter. Showers may appear on the leeward side if the air is colder than the water. If the air
is warmer than the water, fog often develops on the leeward side. In the winter, lake
effect snow is a concern because as a cold front passes over the warmer lake
water, snow, instead of showers will occur.
What happens when the Temperature/dewpoint are very Small Temp/DP spread is essential to the formation of fog.
close?
How often are TAFs issued? Valid for a 24-hour period, TAFs are issued four times daily at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and
18Z, and updated as conditions warrant. TAFs include information about wind
speed and direction, visibility, present weather, ceilings, and low-level wind shear.
Why is it important to know when the various charts and Because you always need to use the most up to date information and knowing
reports are issued? when the next forecast is coming up is essential for making critcal flight decisions.
For instance, if it is 05:55Z, the TAF from 00Z is the most up-to-date forecast,
however, in only 5 minutes, the 06Z TAF will be the most up-to-date forecast and
could contain critical information.
What is an Amended TAF? An amended TAF is issued when the current TAF no longer adequately describes
the ongoing weather or the forecaster feels the TAF is not representative of the
current or expected weather.
Which sky conditions are considered a ceiling? Broken, Overcast, VV (vertical visibility[indefinite ceiling])
How often is a surface analysis chart issued? starting at 00Z at 3 hour intervals. (8 times a day)
What are the primary features of a surface analysis chart? They show pressure patterns, fronts, and information on individual reporting
stations. The pressure patterns are shown by isobars.
Isobars
Pressure Systems
Fronts
Troughs and Ridges
Station Models
, How is a surface analysis chart used? It is used to determine sky cover, the types of clouds. SLP, pressure change, precip,
temp/dew point, present wx, wind. They can be used to locate the jetstream,
turbulence, and wind shear.
What is the relationship between isobars and surface The closer the isobars are together, the stronger the winds will be.
winds?
How often is a Weather depiction chart issued? Every 3 hours starting at 01Z
What is a weather depiction chart? A weather chart to be used for flight planning by giving an overall picture of the WX
across the US.
What is a Radar summary chart? A radar summary chart is a graphically depicted collection of radar weather reports.
Does the Radar summary chart depict forecast conditions, Observed, hourly.
or observed conditions? How often?
What is the difference between visible and infrared The visible images display cloud cover. The infrared images display the earth in a
Satellite imagery? manner that correlates with temperature. Generally speaking, the warmer an object,
the more infrared energy it emits.
What does water vapor imagery show on the Satellite The water vapor images display the earth in a manner that correlates to quantity of
imagery? water vapor in the upper portions of the atmosphere (25,000 feet and higher in
general). The most useful information to be gained from the water vapor images is
the locations of storm systems and the jet stream.
What do the Valid Times indicate? 12 and 24 hours. They indicate that the prog chart is valid for 12 hours from the time
(on a prog chart) issued, or 24 hours from the time issued.
How many times are Prog charts issued? 4 times a day. 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z.
Is a prog chart a forecast or a depiction of actual Forecast.
conditions? Remember "to prognosticate" means "to forecast"
What kinds of weather/hazards are shown on the low level Precip, icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, tropical storms, hurricanes IFR/MVFR
prog chart? conditions, areas of high/low pressure, different types of fronts.
What is a cold front? The leading edge of an advancing cold air mass
What clouds are associated with a cold front? Cumulus and cumulonimbus
What weather is associated with a cold front? Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, good visibility.
situation, a SPECI (special METAR) is issued.
What is a SPECI? A special METAR which is created in between the hourly METARs due to a change
in weather necessitating the change.
-Change of winds necessitating a new runway.
-WX changing from IFR to VFR or VFR to IFR.
Do METARs describe actual or forecast conditions? METARs depict actual field conditions.
Define Radiation fog Shallow fog, ground fog. occurs on clear nights, little or no wind, and small temp/DP
spread (high relative humidity). Occurs at night or daybreak. Radiation cools the
ground. The ground cools the air. When the air is cooled to the dew-point, fog
forms.
Define Advection fog This fog forms when moist air moves over colder ground or water. Common along
the coast.
What is lake effect? Describe one major consequence of Air moving across a sizeable lake absorbs water vapor.
lake effect in winter. Showers may appear on the leeward side if the air is colder than the water. If the air
is warmer than the water, fog often develops on the leeward side. In the winter, lake
effect snow is a concern because as a cold front passes over the warmer lake
water, snow, instead of showers will occur.
What happens when the Temperature/dewpoint are very Small Temp/DP spread is essential to the formation of fog.
close?
How often are TAFs issued? Valid for a 24-hour period, TAFs are issued four times daily at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and
18Z, and updated as conditions warrant. TAFs include information about wind
speed and direction, visibility, present weather, ceilings, and low-level wind shear.
Why is it important to know when the various charts and Because you always need to use the most up to date information and knowing
reports are issued? when the next forecast is coming up is essential for making critcal flight decisions.
For instance, if it is 05:55Z, the TAF from 00Z is the most up-to-date forecast,
however, in only 5 minutes, the 06Z TAF will be the most up-to-date forecast and
could contain critical information.
What is an Amended TAF? An amended TAF is issued when the current TAF no longer adequately describes
the ongoing weather or the forecaster feels the TAF is not representative of the
current or expected weather.
Which sky conditions are considered a ceiling? Broken, Overcast, VV (vertical visibility[indefinite ceiling])
How often is a surface analysis chart issued? starting at 00Z at 3 hour intervals. (8 times a day)
What are the primary features of a surface analysis chart? They show pressure patterns, fronts, and information on individual reporting
stations. The pressure patterns are shown by isobars.
Isobars
Pressure Systems
Fronts
Troughs and Ridges
Station Models
, How is a surface analysis chart used? It is used to determine sky cover, the types of clouds. SLP, pressure change, precip,
temp/dew point, present wx, wind. They can be used to locate the jetstream,
turbulence, and wind shear.
What is the relationship between isobars and surface The closer the isobars are together, the stronger the winds will be.
winds?
How often is a Weather depiction chart issued? Every 3 hours starting at 01Z
What is a weather depiction chart? A weather chart to be used for flight planning by giving an overall picture of the WX
across the US.
What is a Radar summary chart? A radar summary chart is a graphically depicted collection of radar weather reports.
Does the Radar summary chart depict forecast conditions, Observed, hourly.
or observed conditions? How often?
What is the difference between visible and infrared The visible images display cloud cover. The infrared images display the earth in a
Satellite imagery? manner that correlates with temperature. Generally speaking, the warmer an object,
the more infrared energy it emits.
What does water vapor imagery show on the Satellite The water vapor images display the earth in a manner that correlates to quantity of
imagery? water vapor in the upper portions of the atmosphere (25,000 feet and higher in
general). The most useful information to be gained from the water vapor images is
the locations of storm systems and the jet stream.
What do the Valid Times indicate? 12 and 24 hours. They indicate that the prog chart is valid for 12 hours from the time
(on a prog chart) issued, or 24 hours from the time issued.
How many times are Prog charts issued? 4 times a day. 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z.
Is a prog chart a forecast or a depiction of actual Forecast.
conditions? Remember "to prognosticate" means "to forecast"
What kinds of weather/hazards are shown on the low level Precip, icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, tropical storms, hurricanes IFR/MVFR
prog chart? conditions, areas of high/low pressure, different types of fronts.
What is a cold front? The leading edge of an advancing cold air mass
What clouds are associated with a cold front? Cumulus and cumulonimbus
What weather is associated with a cold front? Thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, good visibility.
