Weather Services SECTION 3, & 7

PIREPS 3.2 UA PIREPS (UA) - observations from pilots in the cockpit. Provide the only means of directly observing cloud tops, icing, and turbulence. Transmitted in a prescribed format

PIREP UUA/UA Type of Report, /OV = LOCATION, /TM = TIME, /FL = ALTITUDE/FLIGHT LEVEL, /TP = AIRCRAFT TYPE, /SK = SKY COVER, /WX = FLIGHT VISIBILITY AND WEATHER, /TA = TEMPERATURE, /WV = WIND, /TB = TURBULENCE, /IC = ICING, /RM = REMARK

PIREPS

PIREPS UA/UUA PIREPS (UA) - Any PIREP that contains weather phenomena not listed below, including low-level wind shear reports with air speed fluctuations of less than 10 knots UUA -URGENT PIREP - Tornadoes, funnel clouds, waterspout; severe or extreme turbulence, CAT; severe icing; hail; vocanic ash: low level wind shear 10 knots or move within 2000 feet of the surface; or anything considered by the controller to be hazardous.

PIREPS ADDS http://adds.aviationweather.gov/pireps/ PIREP JAVA TOOL http://adds.aviationweather.gov/pireps/java/

ADDS PIREPS

PIREP REQUIRED ELEMENTS Message type Location Time Altitude/flight level Type aircraft And at least one other element to describe the phenomena

PIREPS /OV - Location - Use VHF NAVAIDs or an airport using the three or four letter location identifier. Position can be over a site, at some location relative to a site, or along a route. Example /OV ABC; /OV KFSM090025; /OV OKC045020-DFW; /OV KMWH-KGEG

/OV LOCATION

PIREPS /TM=TIME four digits in UTC Example /TM 0915 = 09:15 Z /FL = ALTITUDE/FLIGHT LEVEL Three digits for hundreds of feet with no space between FL and altitude. If not known UNKN Example /FL095; /FL310 DURC OR DURD

PIREPS /TP = Type of Aircraft; if not known UNKN Example /TP B737, /TP L35 /SK = Sky cover; Describes cloud amount, height of cloud bases, and height of cloud tops. Example /SK SKC040-TOP080; /SK SKC (PAGE 3-33)

/SK SKY CONDITION

/WX = FLIGHT VISIBILITY AND WEATHER FV reported first in standard METAR symbols, then precipitation modifier Example /WX FV05SM -RA; /WX FV01SM SN BR; /WX RA, FV99SM = unrestricted

/WX FLIGHT VIS AND WEATHER

/WX FLIGHT VIS AND WEATHER

PIREPS WX TYPE AND SYMBOLS Listed on table 3-7 (review and memorize) Notice BR mist = visibility great than or equal to 5/8 SM) What does /WX FV00SM +TSRAGR MEAN?

Flight visibility zero statute miles, thunderstorm, heavy rain, hail PIREPS /WX FV00SM +TSRAGR Flight visibility zero statute miles, thunderstorm, heavy rain, hail

PIREPS /TA = TEMPERATURE (C) If below zero prefixed by a M /WV=WIND example /WV 27045KT; /WV 280110KT Wind on PIREPS = magnetic

/WV WIND

PIREPS /TB = TURBULENCE includes altitude if different from FL /TB EXTRM; /TB OCNL LGT-MOD BLW 090; /TB MOD-SEV CHOP 080-110 PIREP Turbulence reporting criteria Table 3-8 on page 3-38

/TB TURBULENCE

PIREPS /IC = ICING /IC LGT-MOD RIME; IC SEV CLR 028-045 PIREP Icing reporting criteria Table 3-9 on page 3-39 /RM = REMARKS Use free form to clarify the report putting hazardous elements first Example /RM LLWS -15KTS SFC-030 DURC RWY22 JFK

/IC ICING

/IC ICING TYPES

/RM /RM is used to report a phenomenon which is considered important but does not fit in any of the other groups

SKYSPOTTER When a PIREP is received from a pilot identifying themselves as a SKYSPOTTER aircraft, the additional comment /AWC is added at the end of the remarks section of the PIREP

PIREPS UA Example UA /OV MWH /TM 1600 /FL070 /TP B19 /SK BKN040-TOP065 /WX FV02 R H / TA -12 /WV 27020 /TB LGT /IC LGT-MDT RIME 055-080 /RM MDT RAIN REVIEW PIREP EXAMPLE ON page 3-42 & 43

RADAR WEATHER REPORT (SD/ROB) Include general areas of precipitation, including rain, snow, and thunderstorms, observed by radar. This is a textual product derived form the WSR-88D NEXRAD radar without human intervention. The resolution of this textual product is very coarse, up to 80 minutes old, and should only be used if no other radar information is available. All heights in an SD are MSL come out normally each hour +35 minutes

SD RADAR WEATHER REPORTS

RADAR WEATHER REPORT (SD) Include: Location - identifier and time of radar observation Configuration: Echo pattern - LINE (30 miles long), AREA, or CELL (example on Figure 3-12) Coverage - of the area in 10ths Intensity - (- = light, nothing=moderate, +=heavy, ++very heavy, X=intense, XX=extreme)

SD PRECIP. Rain = R Rain Shower = RW Snow = S Snow Shower = SW Thunderstorm = T

INTENSITY

RADAR WEATHER REPORT (SD) Azimuth, referenced to true north, and range in NM from the radar site, of points defining the echo pattern. For lines and areas, there will be two azimuth and range sets. Example (86/40 164/60) Dimension of echo (example 20NM wide) Cell movement (from speed knots) Max top and location (MT or MTS=satelite)

RADAR WEATHER REPORT (SD) If the report is Automated=AUTO from WSR-88D weather radar data Digital section used for preparing radar summary chart. PPINE = equipment normal no echos PPINA = observation not available PPIOM = radar out for maintenance AUTO = report derived from an automated weather radar

RADAR WEATHER REPORT (SD) OTX 1135 AREA 4TRW+ 9/101 133/76 54W MT 310 45/47 C22428 AUTO http://adds.aviationweather.gov/radar/

RADAR WEATHER REPORT (SD)

RADAR NETWORK SITES

TAF (7-22) Used to be called a FT Is a forecast of the expected weather conditions at an airport during a specific period (usually 24hrs) Issued four times a day for 24 hrs OR 30 HOURS periods (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z)

TAF FORMAT (FROM BOOK)

TAF Note In international and U.S. military TAFs contain forecasts of maximum and minimum temperature, icing, and turbulence (Fairchild AFB) TAF AMD KSKA 272119 VRB06KT 9999 SCT100 OVC150 QNH3010INS BECMG 2122 20009KT 9999 VCSH BKN025 BKN050 OVC100 610505 QNH3008INS BECMG 0001 20009KT 9999 VCSH SCT025 BKN050 OVC100 610505 QNH3009INS BECMG 0203 22008KT 9999 NSW BKN100 QNH3015INS T05/23Z TM01/13Z AMD 2155 Note in the NWS TAFs

TAF Contains: Type of report, ICAO identifier, Date/Time or origin, Valid period, Wind forecast, Visibility, Significant WX, Sky condition, LLWS, Forecast change indicators, Probability forecast

TAF P6SM = visibility greater than 6 SM FM = FROM, is used when a rapid and significant change, usually occurring in less than 1 hour is expected. From that time until the next change group

TAF BECMG = BECOMING, gradual change in conditions expected over a period not to exceed 2 hours Example BECMG 2422/2423

TAF TEMPO = TEMPORARY- temporary fluctuations of wind, visibility, weather, or sky condition that are expected to last for generally less than an hour at a time for half the period TEMPO 2412/2416

TAF PROB30 OR PROB40 = PROBABILITY 30-39% for thunderstorms or precipiation to less than 50% of the area over that time. PROB30 2422/2423

TAF OLD FORMAT Example: TAF KOKC 051130Z 051212 14008KT 5SM BR BKN030 WS018/32030KT TEMPO 1316 1 1/2SM BR FM1600 16010KT P6SM SKC BECMG 2224 20013G20KT 4SM SHRA OVC020 PROB40 0006 2SM TSRA OVC008CB

TAF NEW FORMAT TAF KMWH 242329Z 2500/2524 24015G25KT P6SM FEW090 SCT150 FM250300 23007KT P6SM SCT150 FM251200 18005KT P6SM SCT015 BKN070 FM251800 23005KT P6SM VCSH SCT040 BKN080 http://aviationweather.gov/notice/taf30.php

NEW TAF FORMAT

TAF LOCATIONS

FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST FA is a forecast of general weather conditions over an area the size of several states. It is used to determine forecast en route weather and to interpolate conditions at airports that do not have TAF’s issued. FA’s are issued 3 times a day for 6 different areas in the U.S. Surface to 45,000 ft conus U.S.

FAA REGIONS

FA ISSUANCE

ALASKA

FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST FA is comprised of four sections: 1 Communication and product header section 2. A precautionary statement section 3. Synopsis section 4. VFR Clouds/WX section

FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST The area we are in is the SFO San Francisco area 1. Communication and Product header Identifies the office for which the FA is issued, the date and time of issue, the product name, the valid times, and the states and/or areas covered by the FA 2. Precautionary statements. Three statements are in all FA’s

FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST SEE AIRMET SIERRA FOR IFR CONDS AND MTN OBSCN. TS IMPLY SEV OR GTR TURB SEV ICE LLWS AND IFR CONDS. NON MSL HGTS DENOTED BY AGL OR CIG.

FA AVIATION AREA FORECAST Synopsis - brief summary of the location and movement of fronts, pressure systems, and circulation patterns for an 18-hr. period VFR Clouds and Weather - contains a 12 hr. specific forecast, followed by a 6 -hr outlook giving a total forecast of 18hr

SYNOPSIS SYNOPSIS...ALF..AT 21Z MOD/STG WLY WND NRN HLF FA AREA..MOD W WND SRN HLF. BY 15Z LOW OVER NRN VANCOUVER ISLAND WITH TROF EXTDG SWWD. STG WSW WND WA/NRN OR..MOD/STG W WND RMNDR FA AREA. SFC..AT 21Z TROF NERN CSTL WTRS OF WA-NWRN CSTL WTRS OF OR-CONTG SWWD. HIGH ABOUT 400NM SW LAX. BY 15Z CDFNT FAR NWRN WA-CONTG SWWD. HIGH JUST SW OF SRN CA CSTL WTRS.

CLOUDS & WEATHER WA E OF CASCDS CNTRL WA...BKN060 TOP 120. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA BR. ERN WA...OVC060 TOP 150 BKN CI. OCNL -SHRASN. OTLK...MVFR CIG RASN BR.

In-Flight WX advisories Are forecasts that advise en route aircraft of the development of potentially hazardous weather Three different kinds of in-flight wx advisories 1. Convective SIGMET (WST) 2. SIGMET (WS) 3. AIRMET (WA)

In-Flight WX advisories All heights are MSL unless stated CIG Convective SIGMET (WST) - Are issued for any of the following A severe thunderstorm due to 1. Surface winds greater than or equal to 50kt, 2. Hail at the surface greater than or equal to 3/4 in. in diameter, 3. Tornadoes, 4. Embedded thunderstorms, 5. Line of thunderstorms, or 6. TS greater or = to VIP intensity level 4 affecting 40% or more of an area 3000 square miles.

In-Flight WX advisories Convective SIGMET (WST) - implies severe or greater turbulence, severe icing, and low-level wind shear Issued for eastern (E), central (C), and western (W) United States. Bulletins are issued hourly at H+55 Each new bulletin is identified with a number The text of the bulletin’s forecast is valid for up to 2 hours. (Pg 281)

In-Flight WX advisories SIGMET (WS)- advises of nonconvective weather that is potentially hazardous to all aircraft 1. Severe icing, 2. Severe or extreme turbulence or clear air turbulence not associated with a TS 3. Dustorms, sandstorms, or volcanic ash lowering surface visibilities to below 3SM 4. Volcanic eruption The maximum forecast period is 6 hrs.

In-Flight WX advisories Identified by alphabetic designators which inlude November through Yankee but exlude Sierra and Tango First issuance of a SIGMET with be labeled UWS (urgent weather SIGMET)

In-Flight WX advisories Example UWS 051710 SIGMET PAPA 1 VALID UNTIL 052110 AR LA MS FROM STL TO 30N MEI TO BTW TO MLU TO STL OCNL SVR ICING 90 TO 130 EXPCE. FRZLVL 80 E TO 120 W. CONDS CONTG BYD 2100Z

In-Flight WX advisories AIRMET (WA)- are advisories of significant weather phenomena but describe conditions at intensities lower than those which trigger SIGMETs. Are bulletins issued on a scheduled basis every 6 hrs. Issued for: moderate icing, Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 kt. Or more, IFR clouds and visibilites affecting over 50% of the area at one time, extensive mountain obscurement

In-Flight WX advisories AIRMET - have fixed alphanumeric designators of: ZULU for icing TANGO for turbulence SIERRA for IFR and mountain obscuration Pg 284 example

WINDS ALOFT FORECAST FD Forecasts are made twice a day based on 00Z and 12Z data for use during specific time intervals Can be both an observation or a forecast. Valid for a specific time Gives winds at 3000ft, 6000ft, 9000ft, 12,000ft, 18,000ft, 24,000ft, 30,000ft, 34,000ft etc. example winds and temperature at 9,000ft are written as 2725+00 = winds 270 degrees true and 25 knots temperature 0 degrees C

WINDS ALOFT FORECAST FD No winds are forecast within 1500ft of station elevation, also no temperature are forecast for the 3,000ft level or for any level within 2,500 ft of station elevation. Above 24000 no negative C If wind speed is over 100 knots (or from 100-199knots) the wind speed will have 50 added to the direction Example wind 230 degrees T at 150 knots =7350 Wind less than 5 kt code as 9900 light and variable