METEOROLOGY EXAM IV QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What is the main difference between an MOS and a TAF? - Correct Answers -An MOS
forecast is entirely automated, while a TAF has human involvement.
How should an MOS forecast be used in conjunction with official weather products? -
Correct Answers -As a supplement to enhance situational awareness.
Why are MOS and TAF's important to pilots? - Correct Answers -They both provide
point forecasts for future weather and assist in the planning process.
What weather forecasting information produced by the National Weather Service do
commercial weather providers such as Weather Underground, Accuweather, and What
the Forecast use as baseline information for their proprietary weather formats? - Correct
Answers -MOS information.
If weather is reported as "VC" in a TAF, such as "VCTS", what does that mean? -
Correct Answers -The forecast weather is expected to be within 5-10 miles from the
airport.
What does the area encircled and filled with dashed lines in Western Arkansas in the
picture below represent? - Correct Answers -Thunderstorms are predicted to cover up
to 39% of the total area within the blue border at the valid time of the forecast.
How confident must the forecaster be in order to denote an area of predicted
thunderstorms on a TCF? - Correct Answers -At least 50% confident.
How is the GFA Tool different from other weather forecasting products? - Correct
Answers -??
What do the messages "TAF AMD" and "TAF COR" mean to a pilot when included with
a TAF? - Correct Answers -That the previous TAF was inaccurate and should be
disregarded.
How long is the weather forecast in the following TAF valid for, since it doesn't include
any subsequent TEMPO, FM, or PROB30 statements? - Correct Answers -Until 1800Z
on the 23rd day of the month.
How often are TAF's scheduled to be issued, unless they are Amended or Corrected? -
Correct Answers -Every 6 hours, or 4 times per day.
AND ANSWERS
What is the main difference between an MOS and a TAF? - Correct Answers -An MOS
forecast is entirely automated, while a TAF has human involvement.
How should an MOS forecast be used in conjunction with official weather products? -
Correct Answers -As a supplement to enhance situational awareness.
Why are MOS and TAF's important to pilots? - Correct Answers -They both provide
point forecasts for future weather and assist in the planning process.
What weather forecasting information produced by the National Weather Service do
commercial weather providers such as Weather Underground, Accuweather, and What
the Forecast use as baseline information for their proprietary weather formats? - Correct
Answers -MOS information.
If weather is reported as "VC" in a TAF, such as "VCTS", what does that mean? -
Correct Answers -The forecast weather is expected to be within 5-10 miles from the
airport.
What does the area encircled and filled with dashed lines in Western Arkansas in the
picture below represent? - Correct Answers -Thunderstorms are predicted to cover up
to 39% of the total area within the blue border at the valid time of the forecast.
How confident must the forecaster be in order to denote an area of predicted
thunderstorms on a TCF? - Correct Answers -At least 50% confident.
How is the GFA Tool different from other weather forecasting products? - Correct
Answers -??
What do the messages "TAF AMD" and "TAF COR" mean to a pilot when included with
a TAF? - Correct Answers -That the previous TAF was inaccurate and should be
disregarded.
How long is the weather forecast in the following TAF valid for, since it doesn't include
any subsequent TEMPO, FM, or PROB30 statements? - Correct Answers -Until 1800Z
on the 23rd day of the month.
How often are TAF's scheduled to be issued, unless they are Amended or Corrected? -
Correct Answers -Every 6 hours, or 4 times per day.
