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SOUTHERN REGION
METAR/TAF
BRIEFING
SPRING 1996
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An Introduction to theICAO Format
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ICAO Weather
OBJECTIVE– Interpret and disseminate ICAO weather
products. MOTIVATION
– US will comply with ICAO procedures by July 1, 1996.
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ICAO Weather
METAR –Aviation Routine Weather report
SPECI –Special Aviation Weather report
TAF –Terminal Forecast
TAF AMD –Amended Terminal Forecast
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Routine Aviation Weather Report (METAR)
MIA SA 1856 AO2A CLR BLO 120 10+ 118/32/21/0807/997
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 12/M04 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP118
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MeteorologicalAerodrome
Report
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ORDER OF ENTRY
SURFACE ANALYSIS
LOCID / RPT TYPE / OBS TYPE / TIME / AUTO / SKY COND / VSBY / SIG WX / RSTN TO VSBY /
SLP / TEMP / DEW PT / WIND / ALSTG/ RMKS
METAR
RPT TYPE / LOCID / TIME / AUTO / SFC WIND / VSBY / RVR / SIG WX / RSTN TO VSBY / SKY
COND / TEMP / DEW PT / ALSTG / RMKS
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
TYPE OF REPORT
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
LOCATION in FOUR LETTERS– KDEN, PAFA, PHNL, CYYC, MMMX
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
DATE/TIME group in UTC–Observation between H+50 & 00– International on the hour - 231900Z
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
AUTOMATED Weather Observations– Fully automated, no human intervention– AUTO removed when an observer is
present
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z COR 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
CORRECTION–Canada - CCA,
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
SURFACE WIND– Direction in Three Digits– Speed in Two or Three Digits plus Gusts
00000KT VRB06KT 33012MPS 18032KPH 24015G25KT 200V270
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
VISIBILITY –20SM Statute Miles–M1/4SM AUTO only –7000 Meters –15KM Kilometers
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METAR
METAR KJFK 231856Z AUTO 16007KT 1/4SM R21/1600FT +SN BKN045 M06/M10 A2982 RMK AO2
RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE– R21/ Runway, plus L, C, or R– 1600FT Visibility, M0600FT/P6000FT– R10L/1600V2000FT Variability– Canada 1600/D, 1600/U, 1600/N
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 5SM -SHRA BKN045 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
SIGNIFICANT WEATHER– Present at the station or in the
vicinity
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QUALIFIERIntensity
- Light
none Moderate
+ Heavy
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QUALIFIERProximity
VC Vicinity– Within 5 to 10SM of station, except
precipitation is 0 to 10SM. – VCTS VCSH– VCFG VCPO– VCBLSN VCDS– VCBLDU VCSS
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QUALIFIERDescriptor
MIFG BCFG PRFG
BLDU SHRA DRSN FZDZ
TSGR VCTS VCSH
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QUALIFIERDescriptor
MI Shallow (mince)–MIFG
BC Patches (banc)–BCFG
PR Partial–PRFG
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QUALIFIERDescriptor
SH Showers–SHRA, SHSN, SHPE, SHGR, SHGS
DR Low Drifting–DRSN, DRDU, DRSA
TS Thunderstorm–TS, TSRA, TSGR, TSRASNGR
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QUALIFIERDescriptor
FZ Freezing–FZRA, FZDZ, FZFG
BL Blowing–BLSN, BLSA, BLPY, BLDU
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WEATHER PHENOMENAPrecipitation
DZ Drizzle RA Rain SN Snow SG Snow Grains IC Ice Crystals
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WEATHER PHENOMENAPrecipitation
PE Ice Pellets GR Hail (grele) (>1/4IN) GS Small Hail (gresil) or
Snow Pellets (<1/4IN) UP Unknown Precipitation
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WEATHER PHENOMENAObstructions to Visibility
BR Mist (brume) (VIS 5/8 - 6) FG Fog (VIS <5/8) FU Smoke (fumee) VA Volcanic Ash
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WEATHER PHENOMENARestrictions to Visibility
SA Sand HZ Haze PY Spray DU Dust
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WEATHER PHENOMENAOther
SQ Squalls (Sudden increase at least 16 kts, at 22 kts or more lasting at least 1 min.)
SS/+SS Sandstorm DS/+DS Duststorm
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WEATHER PHENOMENAOther
PO Dust / Sand Whirls FC Funnel Cloud +FC Tornado or Waterspout
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WEATHER PHENOMENAExamples
MIFG Shallow Fog BLSA Blowing Sand VCTS Thunderstorm in the
Vicinity FZDZ Freezing Drizzle -RASN Light Rain & Snow
+FC +TSRASNGR BLSN
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
SKY CONDITION–Automated report - CLR BLO 120
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 08007KT 10SM BKN035 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2
SKY CONDITION– Cloud bases in 3 digits, 001, 011, 110– Sky cover in OKTAs (eighths)– No ceiling designator, first BKN or OVC
layer aloft is the ceiling
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SKY CONDITION
SKC or CLR Clear FEW015 Few >0 - <2/8 SCT029 Scattered 3/8 - 4/8 BKN045 Broken 5/8 - 7/8 OVC110 Overcast 8/8
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SKY CONDITION
BKN060TCU Towering Cumulus OVC090CB Cumulonimbus
VV004 Vertical Visibility–Indefinite ceiling 400
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SKY CONDITIONPartial Obscurations
FEW000 >0 to 2/8 sky obscured– Few clouds less than five zero
SCT000 3/8 to 4/8 sky obscured– Scattered clouds less than five zero
BKN000 5/8 to 7/8 sky obscured– Broken clouds less than five zero
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SKY CONDITIONPartial Obscurations
4SM BR BKN000 (RMK BR BKN000)– Visibility four, mist (fog), sky partially
obscured five to seven eighths of the sky obscured by clouds
1/2SM SN FG BKN000 BKN007– Visibility one-half, snow, fog, sky
partially obscured five to seven eights of the sky obscured by clouds, ceiling seven hundred broken
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METAR
METAR KATL 231856Z AUTO 16007KT 10SM CLR 12/M04 A2982 RMK AO2
TEMPERATURE / DEW POINT– in Celsius M for Minus– 3 Degree spread for saturation– If temperature missing, group is omitted– If dew point missing, only temp shown
32/
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METAR
METAR KATL 231856Z AUTO 16007KT 10SM CLR 12/M04 A2982 RMK AO2
ALTIMETER SETTING– A2982 Inches of Mercury– Q1013 hectoPascals (Millibars)
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METAR
METAR KMIA 231856Z AUTO 29007KT 10SM CLR 32/21 A2997 RMK AO2 WSHFT 1834 $
REMARKS
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REMARKS
VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS TORNADIC ACTIVITY
– TORNADO, FUNNEL CLOUD, WATERSPOUT
TYPE OF AUTOMATED STATION– AO1, AO2
PEAK WIND– PK WND 20032/25
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REMARKS WIND SHIFT
– WSHFT 15 TOWER OR SURFACE VISIBILITY
– TWR VIS 2– SFC VIS 2 1/2
VARIABLE PREVAILING VISIBILITY– VIS 3/4V1 1/2
SECTOR VISIBILITY– VIS N 2
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REMARKS
VISIBILITY AT 2ND SITE– VIS 3/4 RY11
LIGHTNING– FRQ LTGCC NE, CONS LTGCG SW
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REMARKS DSNT
– Distant, 10 to 30 miles from station OCNL
– Occasional FRQ
– Frequent CONS
– Continuous OHD
– Overhead
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REMARKS
BEGINNING AND ENDING – TSB20E44, RAE50, SNB1254E41
THUNDERSTORM LOCATION– TS OHD MOV N, TS DSNT S MOV N
HAILSTONE SIZE– GR 1 3/4
VIRGA– VIRGA SW
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REMARKS VARIABLE CEILING HEIGHT
– CIG 013V017 OBSCURATIONS
– FG FEW000, VA SCT000, FU BKN020 VARIABLE SKY CONDITION
– SCT V BKN, BKN025 V OVC SIGNIFICANT CLOUDS
– CB W MOV E, TCU OHD, ACSL W
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REMARKS
CEILING AT 2ND SITE– CIG 020 RY11
PRESSURE RISING/FALLING RAPIDLY– PRESRR, PRESFR
SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE– SLP145, SLPNO
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REMARKS AIRCRAFT MISHAP
– (ACFT MSHP) NO SPECIAL AVAILABLE
– NOSPECI SNOW INCREASING RAPIDLY
– SNICR 3/17
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REMARKSExamples
TS NE MOV E
DARK NW
BR SCT000
FU BKN020
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REMARKSExamples
TORNADO
SCT V BKN
BKN014 V OVC
LAST
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Example
METAR KATL 221451Z 00000KT 25SM OVC030 05/03 A3018 RMK SLP145
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Example
METAR KATL 221456Z AUTO 33009KT 5SM -RA BR BKN012 OVC023 08/07 A3009 RMK AO2
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Example
METAR KBOS 221456Z AUTO 08024KT 3/8SM +SN FG BLSN VV003 M10/ A3011 RMK AO2
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Example
METAR KORD 221352Z VRB04KT 1SM R3/5200FT FZFG BKN000 BKN009 M05/M05 A3018 RMK
AO2 FZFG BKN000 VIS 3/4V1 1/4
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Some More Examples
METAR VHHH 241500Z 00000KT 4000 -DZ SCT005 15/15 Q1027
METAR NZAA 241500Z 14005KT 25KM SCT034 11/08 Q1017.5
METAR VVTS 241500Z 16003MPS 8000 -SHRA SCT015 SCT017 29/25 Q1008
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SpecialAerodrome
Report
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SPECI
SPECI KTYS 221236Z 32009KT 5SM RA BR SCT015 OVC027 20/18 A2979 RMK AO2 MTNS OBSCD ALQDS
SPECIAL OBSERVATIONS–between H+00 and H+50–Aircraft Mishap (not transmitted)–Significant Weather Change
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A Few More Examples
SPECI KBNA 221536Z AUTO 01013KT 10SM -RA BKN014 OVC025 06/03 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP164
SPECI KMEM 221513Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN018 BKN024 OVC033 10/06 A3013 RMK AO2 CIG 017V019
SPECI KMCN 221609Z AUTO 02005KT 7SM -RA OVC016 08/07 A3009 RMK AO2
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AerodromeForecast
(TAF)
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TAF The expected meteorological
conditions significant to aviation at an airport during the specified time.
Airport defined as the area within a 5sm radius of the center of the airport layout plan (ALP).
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ORDER OF ENTRY
TAF
LOCID / ISSUE TIME / VALID TIME / WIND / VSBY / SIG WX / SKY COND / WS
FT
LOCI / VALID TIME / FROPA / SKY COND / VSBY / WX + OBVIS / WIND / RMKS
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TAFTAF
KATL 091720Z 091818 22020KT 3SM
-SHRA BKN020TCU BECMG 2023 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 PROB40 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB
FM2300 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 TEMPO 0407 00000KT 1SM SHRA
FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020 BECMG 1315 P6SM NSW SKC=
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TAF 091720Z DATE/TIME GROUP
– When forecast was produced 091818 VALID DATE/TIME
– 24-hour forecast at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z– All forecast elements, no
PROB40/PROB30 in first 6 hours FM 2000 TIME DIVIDER
– From 2000Z, a rapid change, <1 hr– All forecast elements
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TAF BECMG 1315 CHG INDICATOR
– Becoming between 1300 and 1500Z– Gradual change - 2 hours
TEMPO 0407 CHG INDICATOR– Temporarily between 0400 and 0700Z– Occurs only within time group– Each occurence less than 1 hour– Sum of occurences less than 1/2 time
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TAF PROB30 2024/PROB40 2123
– Probability of 30-39% between 2000 and 2400Z of precip or TS/Probability of 40-49% between 2100 and 2300Z
P6SM– Visibility Plus 6SM, 9999 in Meters
NSW– No Significant Weather
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TAF TAF
KSRQ NIL UNTIL 14Z–No forecast until a given time
TAF
KGNV NIL AMD AFT 04Z–No amendments after a given time
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TAF
FORECAST CONDITIONS–Wind–Visibility–Weather–Sky Condition–Optional Data
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TAF
WIND–00000KT 3KT or less–VRB04 Too light to forecast–VRB25G45KT Forecast TS
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TAF
VISIBILITY–P6SM No obstructions to
visibility except VA WEATHER
–VCFG Vis <3sm–VCSH No qualifiers
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TAF
WEATHER–NSW not used in
predominate groups (1st period and FR)
–NSW no precip or obstruction to visibility
–NSW does not exclude wx advisories or cloud layers
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TAF
SKY CONDITIONS–CB Only cloud type in TAF
OPTIONAL WS010/18040KT–Low Level Wind Shear - Surface to
2000 feet AGL–Non-convective–WS010 Wind shear bases at 1000
feet
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ExampleTAF
KATL 091720Z 091818 08014KT 5SM BR OVC008 TEMPO 1819 2SM TSRA OVC005CB BECMG 1920 OVC010 TEMPO 1922 2SM -SHRA BR OVC006 BECMG 2123 08019KT P6SM NSW
FM 0300 06005KT 3SM BR BKN000 OVC008 TEMPO 0307 1SM BR VV006 BECMG 0607 03015KT 5SM BR OVC015=
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Another Example
TAF AMD
KSDF 091819Z 091918 17009KT P6SM SCT100 TEMPO 0005 OVC040CB PROB40 0005 3SM TSRA BR
FM 0400 18010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC040 TEMPO 0510 3SM TSRA BR OVC015CB
FM 0900 15011KT 3SM -SHRA BR SCT008 OVC012 TEMPO 1017 2SM TSRA BR OVC008CB=
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Just Another ExampleTAF
KMSY 101120Z 101212 18012KT 5SM SHRA SCT007CB BKN025 TEMPO 1822 18017G35KT 1SM +TSRA BR BKN007CB
FM 2100 17012KT P6SM SCT015 BKN030 TEMPO 2223 2SM TSRA
FM 2300 18007KT OVC025 PROB40 0007 4SM -TSRA
FM 0600 19006KT 5SM BR BKN015 PROB040 0710 -TSRA BECMG 0910 00000KT 3SM BR=
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Still Another ExampleTAF
KMEM 150523Z 150606 18012KT 5SM SHRA SCT007 BKN025 TEMPO 1115 18017G35KT 1SM +TSRA BR BKN007CB
FM 1500 17012KT P6SM SCT015 BKN030 TEMPO 1923 2SM TSRA
FM 2300 18007KT OVC025 PROB30 0004 4SM -TSRA
FM 0400 19006KT 5SM BR BKN015
NIL AMD AFT 03Z
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Any Questions?
OK, then I have a few!
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RESPONSE ITEM
An aviation routine weather report is called a _________________.
a. METAR
b. TAF
c. SPECI
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RESPONSE ITEM
An aviation routine weather report is called a _________________.
a. METAR
b. TAF
c. SPECI
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RESPONSE ITEM
METAR KTYS 1452 00000KT 10SM SCT015 BKN032 OVC040 06/03 A3003 RMK MTNS OBSCD
The ceiling at TYS is ________ ft.A. 1500B. 3200C. 4000
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RESPONSE ITEM
METAR KTYS 1452 00000KT 10SM SCT015 BKN032 OVC040 06/03 A3003 RMK MTNS OBSCD
The ceiling at TYS is ________ ft.A. 1500B. 3200C. 4000
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RESPONSE ITEM
METAR KDEN 1849Z 32018G22 10SM BKN020 09/05 A2956 RMK AO2 BKN V SCT
The temperature at Denver is about ________ degrees F.
A. 41B. 48C. 57
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RESPONSE ITEM
METAR KDEN 1849Z 32018G22 10SM BKN020 09/05 A2956 RMK AO2 BKN V SCT
The temperature at Denver is about _________ degrees F.
A. 41B. 48C. 57
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RESPONSE ITEM
SPECI KMCN 2034Z 13009KT 5SM -RA BR SCT009 BKN015 OVC070 A2972 RMK RB15
What type of report is this?A. Aviation routine weather report.B. Aerodrome forecast.C. Special aviation weather report.
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RESPONSE ITEM
SPECI KMCN 2034Z 13009KT 5SM -RA BR SCT009 BKN015 OVC070 A2972 RMK RB15
What type of report is this?A. Aviation routine weather report.B. Aerodrome forecast.C. Special aviation weather report.
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RESPONSE ITEM
SPECI KMCN 2034Z 13009KT 5SM -RA BR SCT009 BKN015 OVC070 A2972 RMK RB15
The restriction to visibility at MACON is ______________.
A. mistB. brief rainC. light rain
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RESPONSE ITEM
SPECI KMCN 2034Z 13009KT 5SM -RA BR SCT009 BKN015 OVC070 A2972 RMK RB15
The restriction to visibility at MACON is ______________.
A. mistB. brief rainC. light rain
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RESPONSE ITEM
The contraction for “smog” is _________.
A. FK
B. FG SK
C. FG FU
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RESPONSE ITEM
The contraction for “smog” is _________.
A. FK
B. FG SK
C. FG FU
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QUESTION
SPECI KGPT 1212Z 22012G20 1/4SM +TSRAGR OVC003CB A2969 RMK TS OVHD MOV NE
What weather phenomena is occurring?
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ANSWER
SPECI KGPT 1212Z 22012G20 1/4SM +TSRAGR OVC003CB A2969 RMK TS OVHD MOV NE
What weather phenomena is occurring?
Thunderstorm, heavy rain, hail.
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RESPONSE ITEM
The contraction for Ice Pellets is _______.
A. PE
B. IC
C. PO
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RESPONSE ITEM
The contraction for Ice Pellets is _______.
1. PE
2. IC
3. PO
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QUESTIONTAFKATL 241115Z 1212 14007KT 1SM BR
SCT030 FM 1815 150015KT 5/8SM BR TEMPO
1922 1/4SM FG BKN002
What is forecast at Atlanta after 2300Z?
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ANSWERTAFKATL 241115Z 241212 14007KT 1SM
BR SCT030 FM 1815 150015KT 5/8SM BR TEMPO
1922 1/4SM FG BKN002 Wind 150 at 15, visibility 5/8 fog,
occasionally between 1900 and 2200 1/4 fog,ceiling 200 BKN.
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QUESTION
TAF
KGNV 221723Z 221818 11008KT P6SM SCT023 SCT300
FM 2200 12006KT 4SM BR BKN023 OVC100 TEMPO 0312 15008G18KT P6SM SCT022 BKN100
What is forecast at Gainsville between 18-20Z?
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ANSWERTAF
KGNV 221723Z 221818 11008KT P6SM SCT023 SCT300
FM 2200 12006KT 4SM BR BKN023 OVC100 TEMPO 0312 15008G18KT P6SM SCT022 BKN100
Wind 110 at 8, visibility greater than 6, 2300 SCT 30000 sct.
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QUESTION1/2SM FC -TSRAGR BLDU
What in the world is that?
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ANSWER1/2SM FC -TSRAGR BLDU
Visibility 1/2 Funnel Cloud Thunderstorm Light Rain Hail Blowing Dust
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Summary
METAR –Aviation Routine Weather report
SPECI –Special Aviation Weather report
TAF –Aerodrome Forecast
TAF AMD –Amended Aerodrome Forecast
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ICAO Weather
OBJECTIVE– Interpret and disseminate ICAO weather
products. MOTIVATION
– US will comply with ICAO procedures by July 1, 1996.
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One more Response Item
Oh, no!
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RESPONSE ITEM
The first slide in this presentation showed ___________________.
1. a star
2. an airplane
3. SOUTHERN REGION
4. all of the above
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FAA
SOUTHERN REGION
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Thank you very much !
Your comments are welcome.
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The End