1. Weather Services

2. What is an Observation? Observations are raw weather data collected by some type of sensor(s) Two categories of observations On site (e.g. surface or airborne) Remote (e.g. weather radar, satellite, profiler, and lightning) © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

3. Types of Observations Surface aviation weather observations Upper air observations Radar observations © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

4. Dissemination of Weather Products Weather Briefings (Lockheed Martin Flight Service) Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS) Transcribed Information Briefing Service (TIBS) Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS) Flight Service Stations © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

5. First Method In advance of day of flight Weather Channel Newspaper Local News Radio © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

6. Non-Aviation Related Weather Channel USA Today San Diego Tribune © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

7. Flight Service Station Primary source for obtaining preflight briefings and inflight weather information Weather Briefings Standard Abbreviated – used to supplement already obtained information Outlook – used when departure is 6 hours or more in the future Inflight – enroute weather Available throughout the US on 122.2 © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

8. Flight Service Station Provide pilots with Weather briefings Enroute weather Receive and process IFR and VFR flight plans Relay ATC clearances Issue Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). Provide assistance to lost aircraft and aircraft in emergency situations Conduct VFR search and rescue services © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

9. Flight Service – Lockheed Martin Dial 1-800-WX-Brief Ask for a Briefer Select State departing from Local Briefers © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

10. Direct Users Access Terminal (DUATS) Provides weather briefings via computer Allows flight plans to be filed via computer Free for any certificated pilot Sign-up for DUATS online with Student Pilot Certificate Number © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

11. Direct Users Access Terminal (DUATS) Allows any pilot with a current medical certificate to access weather information and file a flight plan via computer Run by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) The current vendors of DUATS services and the associated phone numbers are listed in Chapter 7 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Acceptable means of filing a flight plan, though not as dependable as calling a briefer © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

12. Transcribed Information Briefing Service Service of Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) Provides continuous telephone recordings of meteorological and aeronautical information TIBS provides area and route briefings, as well as airspace procedures and special announcements, if applicable It is designed to be a preliminary briefing tool and is not intended to replace a standard briefing from a flight service specialist © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

13. Transcribed Information Briefing Service Available 24 hours a day Updated when conditions change Can only be accessed by a touch-tone phone The phone numbers for the TIBS service are listed in the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) Should also contain, but is not limited to Surface observations TAFs Winds and temperatures aloft forecasts © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

14. Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service HIWAS is a national program for broadcasting hazardous weather information continuously over selected navaids The broadcasts include advisories such as AIRMETs, SIGMETS, convective SIGMETs, and urgent PIREPs These broadcasts are only a summary of the information, and pilots should contact a FSS/AFSS or an En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) for detailed information The HIWAS broadcast area is defined as the area within 150 NM of HIWAS outlets © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

15. Transcribed Weather Broadcast Continuous broadcasts of recorded NOTAM and weather information prepared for a 50-nautical mile wide zone along a route and for selected terminal areas TWEBs are broadcast over selected NDB and VOR facilities and generally contain Weather synopsis In-flight advisories Route and/or local vicinity forecasts Winds aloft forecasts Current weather reports NOTAMs Special notices © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

16. Other Sources Commercial Vendors Provide weather products on a subscription basis Examples: WSI, DTN, Kavouras Internet Aviation Weather Center (Not a proper source) © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

17. Weather Briefings Prior to every flight pilots should gather all information vital to the nature of the flight Sources: FSS, AFSS, DUATS Has specific formatting Three types of briefings Standard Outlook Abbreviated © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

18. Briefing Format Adverse conditions VFR not recommended Synopsis Current conditions Enroute forecast Destination forecast Winds and temperatures aloft NOTAMS ATC delays Other information © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

19. Standard Briefing A standard briefing provides a complete weather picture and is the most detailed of all briefings This type of briefing should be obtained prior to the departure of any flight and should be used during flight planning A standard briefing provides information in the standard format, as provided in the previous slide © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

20. Abbreviated Briefing An abbreviated briefing is a shortened version of the standard briefing It should be requested when a departure has been delayed or when specific weather information is needed to update a previous standard briefing When this is the case, the weather specialist needs to know the time and source of the previous briefing so that pertinent weather information will not be omitted inadvertently © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

21. Outlook Briefing An outlook briefing should be requested when a planned departure is 6 or more hours away It provides initial forecast information that is limited in scope due to the timeframe of the planned flight This type of briefing is a good source of flight planning information that can influence decisions regarding route of flight, altitude, and ultimately the “go or no-go” decision Should be followed up with another briefing closer to the estimated time of departure © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

22. Outlook Briefing An outlook briefing should be requested when a planned departure is 6 or more hours away It provides initial forecast information that is limited in scope due to the timeframe of the planned flight This type of briefing is a good source of flight planning information that can influence decisions regarding route of flight, altitude, and ultimately the “go or no-go” decision Should be followed up with another briefing closer to the estimated time of departure © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

23. METARS Hourly report from a station Usually given between 48 minutes and 3 minutes after the hour If weather changes within the hour, called a SPECI Special Aviation Weather Report © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

24. Reading the METAR © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

25. Elements – Report Type Report Type METAR Observation made between H+45 till the hour Report transmitted between H+50 till the hour SPECI – non-routine observation made when specified criteria are net ICAO Station Identifier Date and Time Day of month observation was taken Zulu time when the observation was taken Modifier AUTO – Automated Observation, No Human Intervention COR – Corrected report © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

26. Elements - Wind Reported in knots (KT) Calm Wind (00000KT) Variable VRB – wind varies in direction and is 6 knots or less Reference to TRUE North Gust 32012G25 © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

27. Elements - Visibility Visibility Reported in Statute Miles (SM) When visibility is less than 7SM restrictions to visibility will be shown in the weather element When tower or surface visibility is less than 4SM, the lesser will be reported in the body of the report, the greater will be reported in the remarks Runway Visual Range R19/1200FT © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

28. Elements - Precipitation Qualifiers Intensity - Light Moderate (no symbol) + Heavy Proximity VC – Vicinity of Airport (5 to 10 SM) © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

29. Elements - Descriptors MI – Shallow – Fog with vertical extent less than 6 feet BC – Patches – Fog with little vertical extent that reduces horizontal visibility DR – Low Drifting – Dust, Sand, or Snow raised by the wind less than 6 feet BL – Blowing – Dust, Sand, Snow, or Spray raised by the wind to 6 feet or more SH – Showers TS – Thunderstorm FZ – Freezing PR – Partial – Fog which covers only part of an airport © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

30. Elements - Phenomena Precipitation DZ – Drizzle RA – Rain SN – Snow SG – Snow Grains IC – Ice Crystals PL – Ice Pellets GR – Hail (¼ inch or larger) GS – Small Hail or Snow Pellets (less than ¼ inch) UP – Unknown Precipitation (Automated Only) © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

31. Elements - Phenomena Obscuration BR – Mist (visibility 5/8 sm up to and including 6 sm) FG – Fog (visibility < 5/8 sm) DU – Dust SA – Sand HZ – Haze PY – Spray VA – Volcanic Ash FU - Smoke © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

32. Elements - Phenomena Other PO – Dust/Sand Whirls SQ – Squalls FC – Funnel Cloud +FC – Tornado SS – Sandstorm DS – Dust Storm © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

33. Examples TSRA +SN -RA FG VCSH © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

34. Elements - Sky Condition SKC – Sky Clear CLR – Clear Below 12,000 FEW – Few - > 0 but < 2/8 SCT – Scattered – 3/8 to 4/8 BKN – Broken – 5/8 to 7/8 OVC – Overcast – 8/8 VV – Vertical Visibility (indefinite ceiling) © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

35. Elements - Sky Condition (Height) Height (AGL) 002 – Two Hundred Feet 020 – Two Thousand Feet 200 – Twenty Thousand Feet 000 – Obscuration below 50 feet (Partial Obscuration) /// - Obscuration below station elevation © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

36. Elements – TDS and Pressure Temperature / Dew Point Altimeter © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

37. Elements – Remarks Remarks are appended to the end of the METAR as required Examples DSNT – Distant – Phenomena beyond 10 sm TCU – Towering Cumulus CB - Cumulonimbus © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

38. METAR Overview Positives Reported hourly Observations Concentrated information Negatives AUTO Not always updated $ © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

39. Sample METAR No. 1 KORD 270551Z 28008KT 10SM FEW037 M04/M08 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP235 T10391083 11022 21044 400221044 51013 KMIA 270553Z COR 13013KT 8SM SCT024 BKN030 BKN100 OVC250 23/19 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP176 T02330194 10239 20228 56016 © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

40. Sample METAR No. 2 KSEA 270553Z 11007KT 5SM -RA BR FEW015 OVC030 12/10 A3027 RMK AO2 RAB31 SLP258 P0001 60002 T01170100 10122 20111 52009 KDFW 270553Z 35008KT 10SM SCT170 SCT240 04/M01 A3033 RMK AO2 SLP271 T00391011 10083 20039 400940039 51009 © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

41. Sample METAR No. 3 METAR KABC 121755Z AUTO 21016G24KT 180V240 1SM R11/P6000FT -RA BR BKN015 0VC025 06/04 A2990 RMK A02 PK WND 20032/25 WSHFT 1715 VIS 3/4V1 1/2 VIS 3/4 RWY11 RAB07 CIG 013V017 CIG 017 RWY11 PRESFR SLP125 POOO3 6OOO9 T00640036 10066 21012 58033 TSNO $ © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

42. PIREPS PIREP’s are inflight weather observations made by pilots PIREP’s are the only means or observing icing and turbulence How to give one Stay in the system for 6 hours © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

43. PIREPS - Elements UA / UUAPilot Report / Urgent Pilot Report OVLocation TMTime (Zulu) FLAltitude / Flight Level TPType of Aircraft SKSky Cover WXWeather and Flight Visibility TATemperature WVWind TBTurbulence ICIcing RMRemarks © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

44. PIREPS - Turbulence Light Aircraft – momentarily causes slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude Occupants may feel a slight strain against belts or shoulder straps Unsecured objects may be displaced slightly Food service may be conducted and little or no difficulty is encountered in walking © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

45. PIREPS - Turbulence Moderate Aircraft – changes in altitude and/or attitude occurs but the aircraft remains in positive control. Usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. Occupants feel definite strain against seat belts or shoulder straps Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult. © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

46. PIREPS - Turbulence Severe Aircraft - large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. It usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seat belts or shoulder straps. Unsecured objects are tossed about. Food service and walking are impossible. © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

47. PIREPS - Turbulence Extreme Aircraft – violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. It may cause structural damage. © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

48. PIREPS - Icing Trace – Ice becomes perceptible Light – Rate of accumulation may create a problem if flight is prolonged in this environment (over 1 hour). Moderate – Rate of accumulation is such that even short encounters become potentially hazardous. Severe – Rate of accumulation is such that deicing/anti-icing equipment fails to reduce or control the hazard. © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

49. PIREPS - Overview Positive Elements Actual Observations Cloud tops Pilots make them Negative Elements Aircraft type No one makes them! Could have been a fast moving system © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

50. PIREPS - Samples SAN UA /OV SAN/TM 0533/FLUNKN/TP B737/RM FAP RW27 30KT TAILWIND 060-030 AND 10KT TAILWIND 020 PAE UA /OV PAE370040/TM 0424/FL240/TP CRJ/TB LGT OCNL MOD/RM -ZSE EWR UUA /OV JFK270010/TM 0430/FL130/TP B738/TA M09/IC SEV RIME © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

51. Radar Reports Textual presentation of precipitation observed Symbols R RainRWRain Shower SSnowSWSnow Shower TThunderstorm © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

52. Radar Reports – Echo Patterns Echo Patterns Line (LN) – convective echoes at least 30 miles long, at least 4 times long as it is wide, and at least 25% coverage within the line Area – group of echoes of similar type Cell – single isolated convective echo © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

53. Radar Reports – Station Status Plan Position Indicator PPINE – Radar is Operating Normally (No echoes observed) PPINA – Radar Observation is not available PPIOM – Radar is inoperative or out of service for maintenance AUTO – Automated radar report from WSR-88D © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

54. Radar Reports - Example GFK 1934 LN 8 TRW++/+ 86/40 164/60 199/115 15W L2425 MT 570 AT 159/65 2 INCH HAIL RPRTD THIS CELL © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

55. Terminal Area Forecast Expected meteorological conditions within a 5 sm radius from the center of an airports runway complex Valid for 24 hours from time of issuance Issued 4 times a day 0 z, 6 z, 12 z, 18 z Uses same codes for weather as METAR’s © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

56. Terminal Area Forecast - Elements ICAO Station Identifier Date and Time of Issuance Valid Period Date and Time Wind Forecast Visibility Forecast Significant Weather Forecast Sky Condition Forecast © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

57. TAF – Forecast Change Indicators From (FM) Group Used when a rapid and significant change, usually occurring in less than 1 hour Becoming (BECMG) Group Gradual change in conditions is expected over a period not to exceed 2 hours Temporary (TEMPO) Group Phenomenon expected to last for generally less than an hour at a time (occasional) and expected to occur during less than half the time period © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

58. TAF – Probabilities Probability Forecast PROB30 – 30% to 39% Probability PROB40 – 40% to 49% Probability © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

59. TAF – Overview Positive Elements Forecast for Airport and Vicinity Easy to Interpret Gives general weather picture at time of arrival Negative Elements Small area Accuracy © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

60. Area Forecasts Issued 3 times daily Cover large geographic areas Used for airports which do not have TAF’s issued Combined with Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

61. Area Forecasts - Sections 1. Communications and Product Header 2. Precautionary Statements 3. Synopsis – summary of the location and movement of fronts 4. VFR Clouds and Weather - 18 Hour Forecast Period - 12 Hour Specific Forecast - 6 Hour Categorical Outlook © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

62. Area Forecasts - Sample Where to find? © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

63. Airmets (WA) Issued for… IFR Conditions or Mountain Obscuration (AIRMET SIERRA) Moderate Turbulence or sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater (AIRMET TANGO) Moderate Icing (AIRMET ZULU) Issued on a scheduled basis every 6 hours Updates and corrections issued as necessary © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

64. Sigmets (WS) Issued for… Severe Icing not associated with Thunderstorms Severe or Extreme Turbulence Dust storms or Sandstorms lowering surface or inflight visibilities to below 3 miles Volcanic Ash Maximum Forecast Period: 4 Hours Unscheduled – Issued as Necessary © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

65. Convective Sigmets (WST) Issued for… Severe Thunderstorms due to: Surface winds greater than or equal to 50 knots Hail at the surface greater than or equal to 3/4 in. Tornados Embedded Thunderstorms A line of Thunderstorms Forecast Period: 2 Hours Scheduled – Issued at H+55 © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

66. Weather Advisories - Overview Positives Large Area Cloud Tops Advisories Negatives Large Area Harder to Read © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

67. Winds Aloft Issued twice daily Based on the 0Z and 12Z Radiosonde Launches No winds forecast within 1500 ft of the surface No temperatures forecast within 2500 ft of the surface © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

68. Winds Aloft Coding of Wind Direction and Speed 9900 Calm 2426+03Wind 240º at 26 knots, Temp 3º C 7612-13Wind 260º at 112 knots, Temp -13º C When the number is in excess of 50, the wind is in excess of 100 knots. Subtract 50 from the first pair of numbers and add 100 to the second pair. © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

69. Winds Aloft - Samples © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

70. Surface Analysis Chart Valid only at time of issuance Transmitted every 3 hours Features Isobars Pressure Systems Fronts Troughs and Ridges © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

72. Weather Depiction Chart Valid only at time of issuance Transmitted at 3 hour intervals beginning at 01Z Elements Station Data Cloud Height Weather and Obscurations to Visibility Visibility – included when 5 miles or less Analysis IFR – Ceiling < 1000 ft. and/or Visibility < 3 miles MVFR – Ceiling 1000  3000 ft. and/or Visibility 3  5 miles VFR – Ceiling greater than 3000 ft. and Visibility > 5 miles © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

74. Radar Summary Chart Valid only at time of issuance Transmitted hourly at H+35 Features Echoes Intensity Echo Tops Echo Movement Severe Weather Watch Areas © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

76. Constant Pressure Analysis Based on 0Z and 12Z Radiosonde Launches Issued Twice Daily Features Contours Isotachs Isotherms © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

78. Significant Weather Prognostic Chart (SigWx) Issued 4 times daily; 0Z, 6Z, 12Z, and 18Z Four Panel Chart Two Top Panels: Significant Weather Two Bottom Panels: Surface Prognostic © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

80. Satellite Imagery Seeing the big picture for clouds Visible vs. infrared imagery © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

81. Visible

82. Infrared

83. Making the Weather Decision Reasons for weathering a flight Where to go for help in making the decision Ways to divert © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

84. Personal Weather Minimums What are they??? Visibility Clouds Wind As you gain more experience… © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.

85. References AC 00-45G © 2015 Coast Flight Training. All Rights Reserved.