Reading METAR and TAF weather reports and identifying hazardous weather patterns for pilots, beyond the private pilot weather theory deck.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What does METAR stand for?
- METeorological Aerodrome Report
- What does TAF stand for?
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
- What time format is used in METAR reports?
- Zulu time (UTC) in day and hour format, like 121855Z for the 18th day, 1855 hours UTC
- Name the main sections of a METAR in order.
- Station ID, date/time, wind, visibility, weather, cloud layers, temperature, dew point, altimeter
- How frequently are routine METARs issued at most airports?
- Every hour, on the hour
- What is the standard validity period of a TAF?
- 30 hours (may be 24 hours at smaller airports)
- What is the difference between BECMG and TEMPO in a TAF?
- BECMG (becoming) is a permanent change expected, TEMPO (temporary) is a short-duration expected condition
- How is wind encoded in METAR and TAF reports?
- Direction (degrees magnetic, 3 digits), speed (2-3 digits), units (KT for knots), with G for gusts if present
- What does the notation WS mean in a METAR or TAF?
- Wind shear, a sudden change in wind speed or direction
- What does 10SM mean in a METAR?
- Visibility of 10 statute miles or greater
- What is RVR in aviation weather reports?
- Runway Visual Range, the maximum distance a pilot can see down a runway surface
- What does RA mean in a METAR weather group?
- Rain
- What do the intensity codes (minus), (no symbol), and (plus) represent in weather phenomena?
- Light, moderate, and heavy intensity
- What does TS mean in a METAR or TAF?
- Thunderstorm
- What does SH mean in aviation weather codes?
- Showers, precipitation from convective clouds