1. Weather Forecasting

2. Warm-Up Questions CPS Questions 1-2
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

3. Lesson Overview The history of weather forecasting
The types of instruments used in weather forecasting
The various types of communication methods used to provide weather information
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

4. Quick Write
Why do you think the military needs its own weather service? (Note to teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS)
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of USAF

5. The First Aviation Weather Forecast
Weather forecasts mostly supported government flights
Meteorologists used primitive means to issue forecast
Attached instruments to kites and tethered balloons to find temperature and wind direction
First report went to a government flight carrying mail
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of NOAA

6. Weather Reports Address Safety Issues
By 1920 about half the airmail service pilots had died on the job
On 20 May 1926 Congress passed the Air Commerce Act
Focus on safety also boosted the commercial passenger business
Today US has one of world’s most advanced aviation weather forecasting systems
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of USAF

7. Air Force Weather Agency
Army set up its first military weather service
After Congress authorized the launch of a civilian US Weather Bureau in 1890—Army’s weather arm waned
AFWA partners with NOAA’s National Weather Service to improve weather science
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of USAF/A1C Jack Sanders

8. Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 3-4
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

9. Activity 1: Evolution of Weather Forecasting Timeline
Create a timeline depicting the history of weather forecasting
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

10. The Types of Instruments Used in Weather Forecasting—Surface
Observers are generally looking at an area within a five-mile radius from a given airport
Factors they consider—wind, visibility, pressure, temperature and dew point, sky conditions
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
© Hemera Technologies/ PhotoObjects.net/Thinkstock

11. Tools Used to Study Surface Weather
Several types of thermometers measure temperature
Many barometers use aneroids— flexible metal bellows that respond to changes in atmospheric pressure
Psychrometer—uses two thermometers to measure relative humidity
Anemometer—measures wind speed
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Reproduced from NASA

12. Automated Surface Observing System
Weather reporting system, provides surface observations every minute
Works nonstop, 24 hours a day, every day of the year
Can’t report weather over the horizon, above 12,000 feet, tornadoes, freezing drizzle, or snow depth
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

13. Upper Air More challenging to make than surface observations
Radiosondes—collect data such as air temperature, pressure, wind speed, and wind direction
Pilots are the only real-time source of information regarding turbulence, icing, and cloud heights
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of NASA

14. Radar An instrument that sends out and receives radio waves
Can identify distance, strength, direction, and speed of moving and fixed objects —aircraft, weather formations, and terrain
It reads reflectivity—the strength of a returned signal—to gauge a storm’s intensity
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of USAF/Maj Steve Burke

15. Four Types of Radar
Doppler—Its two modes of operation are clear air and precipitation
FAA terminal Doppler—found at major airports, provides severe weather alerts and warnings to air traffic controllers
FAA airport surveillance—detects aircraft, location and strength of precipitation
Aircraft airborne radar— can spot a big thunderstorm, light rainfall, and how big a storm is
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of NASA/George Shelton

16. Satellites
In 1975 NASA and NOAA joined forces to launch, operate, and monitor new kind of weather satellite
It was the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
NASA launches the satellites for NOAA
NOAA uses data collected by GOES to forecast as well as observe ongoing weather
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Copyright © Boeing. All Rights Reserved.

17. SIGMET and AIRMET
SIGMETs—provide data about severe and extreme turbulence, severe icing, and widespread dust or sandstorms
AIRMETs—report on less-severe weather such as moderate icing, moderate turbulence, and look at sustained surface winds
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

18. Activity 2: Collecting Atmospheric Data
Watch the NASA video “Real World: A-Train”
Take notes about your observations and answer the analysis questions
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

19. NASA Real World “A-Train”
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of NASA

20. Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 5-6
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

21. Activity 3: Elements of a Weather Station
Construct a barometer or anemometer
Test the operation of your component and explain its purpose in forecasting weather for flight
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

22. NEXRAD
More than 160 Doppler radars scattered throughout the US and overseas make up system
Converts what the radars read about a storm or other target—distance, strength, and velocity—into images
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of NOAA

23. Weather Outlets
Automated Flight Service Station—main source for preflight weather reports, briefing available 24 hours by phone
Transcribed Information Briefing Service—briefings are prerecorded, quick rundown of weather
En Route Flight Advisory Service— one of the best sources for current weather along a route, not available 24 hours a day
Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service— broadcasts bad weather alerts 24 hours a day, only a summary
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

24. Types of Briefings
Standard is most complete report; it provides an overall weather picture
Abbreviated is a shortened version of the standard
Outlook is best when a departure isn’t planned for at least six hours
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of USAF/Steven Doll

25. Current Weather Reports
METARs—hourly reports of current surface weather
PIREPs—current upper air conditions
RAREPs—storm detections; current readings of precipitation and thunderstorms
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of NOAA/National Weather Service

26. Printed Weather Forecasts
TAFs—cover a five-mile radius around airports
FAs—picture of clouds, general weather, and visual conditions over large area
SIGMETs and AIRMETs—data on severe and less severe weather
FDs—predict winds and temperatures for specific spots
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

27. Weather Charts Surface analysis chart assesses current surface weather
Radar summary chart is for precipitation only
Significant weather prognostic charts forecast weather; they don’t report current weather
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Reproduced from National Weather Service/Aviation Weather Center/NOAA

28. Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 7-8
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

29. Activity 4: Weather Forecasting
Prepare and present either a weather forecast or a weather briefing
Research and gather weather data from the internet
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

30. Summary The history of weather forecasting
The types of instruments used in weather forecasting
The various types of communication methods used to provide weather information
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

31. Review Questions CPS Questions 9-10
Chapter 2, Lesson 4

32. Next…. Done – weather forecasting
Next – the effects of weather on aircraft
Chapter 2, Lesson 4
Courtesy of AP Photo.