Collin Fleck

Weather Information
Objective:
The student will exhibit knowledge of weather information by explaining weather
briefings and how to obtain them, the available sources of weather information, and how to
interpret and use the information to make a safe go/no-go decision.

Elements/ Schedule:
Purpose :01
Preflight Weather Briefings :15
Sources of Weather Information :15
Weather Reports, Forecasts, and Charts :30
Review :05
Questions :05
Total 1:11

Equipment:
PHAK (Ch. 13)
AIM (Ch. 7, Section 1)
Computer with internet access
Model airplane

Instructor Actions:
1. Purpose/Motivation
The #1 accident cause factor involving the PIC as listed in the AIM is inadequate
preflight preparation and/or flight planning. Therefore, a pilot planning a flight
should ensure that they become familiar with all information regarding the flight,
with an emphasis on weather information. To do this, a pilot will need to know the
sources of weather information and how to use the information properly to make a
safe go/no-go decision.

2. Preflight Weather Briefings

Importance:
o 91.103 Preflight Action:
Pilots must become familiar with all information concerning a flight.
Before beginning a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, the PIC must
become familiar with weather reports and forecasts.
Obtaining a Weather Briefing:
o Can be done via telephone or internet.
FSS specialist at 1-800-WX-BRIEF.
DUATS, 1800wxbrief.com, Skyvector, FltPlan.com, aviationweather.gov.
etc
Inflight weather updates and advisories from FSS (EFAS).

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 o Information Required:
Type of flight (VFR or IFR).
Aircraft ID and type.
Departure point.
ETD.
Altitude and route.
Destination.
ETE.
Information is recorded and a note is made regarding the weather
that was briefed.
o The information can be referenced later to file or amend a
flight plan, or when an aircraft is overdue or missing.
o Standard Briefing:
Provides the most complete information and weather picture.
Should be obtained prior to the departure of any flight and should be used
during flight planning.
Provides the following information in sequential order:
Adverse conditions that may influence a decision to cancel or alter
the route of flight.
o Significant weather; thunderstorms, icing, etc.
o Airport closures.
VFR flight not recommended.
o May be stated by the briefer if WX for the route is below
VFR minimums, or if it is doubtful the flight can be made
under VFR.
o It is the PICs decision whether to continue the flight under
VFR, but this advisory should be weight carefully.
Synopsis.
o Overview of the larger weather picture.
Fronts and major weather systems.
Current conditions.
o Current ceilings, visibility, winds, and temperatures.
o If departure time is more than 2 hours away, current
conditions are not included in the briefing.
En-route forecast.
o Summary of the weather forecast for the proposed route of
flight.
Destination forecast.
o Summary of the expected weather for the destination
airport at the ETA.
Forecast winds and temperatures aloft.
o Forecast of the winds at specific altitudes for the route of
flight.

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 NOTAMS.
o Information pertinent to the route of flight that has not been
published in the NOTAM publication.
o Published NOTAM information and GPS NOTAMS are
provided only upon request.
ATC delays.
o An advisory of any known ATC delays that may affect the
flight.
Other information.
o At the end of the briefing, the FSS specialist provides the
radio frequencies needed to open a flight plan and to
contact EFAS.
o Any additional information requested is provided at this
time.
o Abbreviated Briefing:
Shortened version of the standard briefing.
Should be requested when a departure has been delayed or when weather
information is needed to update a previous briefing.
Always a good idea to update a weather briefing when there is time.
o Outlook Briefing:
Should be requested when a planned departure is 6 or more hours away.
Provides initial forecast information based on weather trends and existing
weather.
Good source of flight planning information that can influence decisions
regarding the route of flight, altitude, and go/no go decisions.
A standard briefing should also be obtained just prior to departure.

3. Sources of Weather Information

FAA:
o Flight Service Stations.
1-800-WX-BRIEF/1800wxbrief.com.
o Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS).
National Weather Services (NWS)/ Aviation Weather Center (AWS):
o Aviationweather.gov.
Commercial weather information providers:
o Internet.
o FltPlan.com, Skyvector.com, ForeFlight.
Details and additional information on weather products found in AC 00-45 Aviation
Weather Services.

4. Weather Reports, Forecasts, and Charts (AWS Ch. 3)

Aviation Weather Reports:
o Designed to provide accurate depictions of current weather conditions.
o Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR):

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 Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard
international format.
Key to Decode a METAR (AIM Fig. 7-1-5, 7-1-6).
Information contained:
Type of report:
o METAR
Transmitted on a regular time interval.
o SPECI
Special report given at any time to update the
METAR for rapidly changing weather
conditions, aircraft mishaps, or other critical
information.
Station identifier:
o 4-letter ICAO code (K)
Date and time of report:
o 6 digits.
o First two = day of month, last four = issuance time (Z).
Modifier:
o Source of METAR.
o AUTO = Automated.
o AO1 = With precipitation discriminator.
o AO2 = Without precipitation discriminator.
o COR = Corrected to replace report with error.
Wind:
o 5 digits.
First 3 = Direction wind is blowing from in tens
of degrees.
Last 2 = Velocity in knots.
o G = Gusting followed by peak gust in knots.
o VRB = Variable.
If direction varies more than 60 and speed is
more than 6 knots, a V will separate the
extremes of the wind directions.
Visibility:
o Reported in SM.
o RVR may be reported.
Distance a pilot can see down the runway in a
moving aircraft.
R followed by runway/visual range in feet.
Weather:
o Qualifiers of intensity
o Weather phenomenon.
Sky Condition:

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 o Always reported in sequence of amount, height, and
type.
o Heights of cloud bases reported with 3 digit number in
hundreds of feet AGL.
o Amount of sky coverage is reported in eighths of the
sky.
Temperature and dew point:
o Degrees C.
o Temperature/Dew point.
o If below 0, temps are preceded by M.
Altimeter Setting:
o Reported as inches of mercury (Hg).
o 4 digits preceded by A.
Remarks:
o RMK followed by any remarks.
o Sea-Level Pressure (AWS 3-25):
SLP followed by pressure in hectopascals.
Last three digits shown: xx.x
Add either 900 or 1000.
Whichever will = closest to 1013.25
(standard).
o Pilot Report (PIREP):
Provide information regarding the conditions as they actually exist.
Solicited by ATC facilities.
Pilots are encouraged to submit PIREPS to ATC or an FSS.
Required information for submitting:
See PIREP Element Code Chart (AIM Table 7-1-7).
o 3 letter ID of the nearest weather reporting location.
Urgency:
UA = Routine
UUA = Urgent
Location:
3-letter ID.
Distance/radial.
Time:
4 digits in UTC.
Altitude/FL:
3 digits in hundreds of feet.
At least on weather phenomenon encountered.
o Radar and Satellite Imagery (AWS Ch. 4):
Radar:
Radar images are graphical displays of precipitation targets
detected by weather radar (Doppler radar).

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 o Displayed on a variety of products which can be found
at aviationweather.gov or radar.weather.gov/ridge/.
o Colors represent different echo reflectivities
(intensities) measured in decibels of Z (dBZ).
Reflectivity is correlated to intensity of
precipitation.
Satellite:
Important for data sparse regions such as countries without
organized weather data collection and oceans.
Imagery types:
o Visible, water vapor, and infra-red (IR).
Visible is only available during daylight hours.
Water vapor and IR are available day or night.
Aviation Forecasts (AWS Ch. 7):
o Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF):
Report established for the 5 SM radius around an airport.
Usually provided for larger airports.
Valid for a 24 or 30 hour time period.
Updated 4 times a day.
0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, and 1800Z.
Uses the same descriptors and abbreviations as METARs.
Information included:
Type of report:
o Routine (TAF) or amended forecast (TAF AMD).
ICAO station identifier:
Date and time of origin.
Valid period dates and times:
o Ex. 0812/0912
08 = Starting date (day).
12 = Starting time (Z).
09 = Ending date.
12 = Ending hour.
Forecast wind.
Forecast visibility:
o SM.
o Greater than six = P6SM.
Forecast significant weather.
Forecast sky condition.
Forecast change group:
o Significant weather change expected during the valid
time period.
o FM (from) = rapid change, usually within an hour.

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 o TEMPO = Temporary fluctuations of weather expected
to last less than 1 hour.
Probability of thunderstorms and precipitation:
o PROB(% chance).
o Not used for the first 6 hours of the forecast.
o Area Forecasts (FA):
Provide a picture of clouds, general weather conditions, and visual
meteorological conditions expected over a large area encompassing
several states.
6 areas for FAs in the contiguous 48 states.
Issued 3 times a day and are valid for 18 hours.
Information is important for en-route operations and for forecast
information of smaller airports that do not have terminal forecasts.
4 sections:
Header:
o Location ID of FA source.
o Date and time of issuance.
o Valid forecast time.
o Area of coverage.
Precautionary statements:
o IFR conditions.
o Mountain obscurations.
o Thunderstorm hazards.
o Height given in MSL.
Synopsis:
o Brief summary identifying the location and movement
of pressure systems, fronts, and circulation patterns.
VFR clouds and weather:
o Lists expected sky conditions, visibility, and weather
for the next 12 hours and an outlook for the following 6
hours.
o Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast (FB):
Provide wind and temperature forecasts for specific locations
throughout the U.S.
Forecasts made 2 times/day and are based on observations taken at
0000Z and 1200Z.
Wind direction referenced to TN.
Wind speed given in knots.
Temperature given in Celsius (neg. above 24,000 MSL)
No winds are forecast within 1,500 of the station elevation.
Temperatures are not given within 2,500 of the station elevation.
Light and variable = 9900.
If wind speed is forecast to be greater than 99 knots but less than 199
knots:

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 50 is added to direction and 100 is subtracted from speed.
Ex.: 731960 = 230 @ 119 kts and -60C.
If wind speed is forecast to be greater than 200 kts:
Wind group coded as 99.
Ex.: 7799 = 270 @ 199 kts or greater.
o Inflight Weather Advisories (AWS Ch. 6):
Provide forecasts of potentially hazardous weather.
Also available prior to departure for flight planning purposes.
AIRMETs (WA):
Weather phenomena considered potentially hazardous to light
aircraft with limited operational capabilities.
Issued every 6 hours.
Codes:
o Sierra:
Ceilings less than 1,000 AGL.
Visibility less than 3 miles.
Extensive mountain obscuration.
o Tango:
Moderate turbulence.
Sustained surface winds of 30 knots or greater.
Low-level wind shear (special emphasis
during lesson)
PHAK 12-11.
LLWS training material:
o AC 00-54 FAA Pilot Wind Shear
Guide.
o Zulu:
Moderate icing.
Freezing levels.
SIGMETs (WS):
Inflight advisories concerning non-convective weather that is
potentially hazardous to all aircraft.
Unscheduled.
Valid for 4 hours (6 for hurricanes).
Possible forecasts:
o Severe icing;
o Severe or extreme turbulence or CAT;
Not associated with thunderstorms.
o Dust storms or sandstorms that lower surface or inflight
visibilities to below 3 miles.
o Volcanic ash.
Convective SIGMETs (WST):

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 Inflight weather advisory issued for hazardous convective
weather that affects the safety of any flight.
Issued at 55 minutes past the hour or as needed.
o If no convective weather exists, it will state, NONE.
Valid for 2 hours.
Issued for severe thunderstorms with:
o Surface winds greater than 50 knots;
o Hail at the surface greater than or equal to inch in
diameter;
o Heavy or greater precipitation that affects 40% or more
of a 3,000 square mile or greater region.
o Tornadoes.
o Embedded thunderstorms or squall lines.
Weather Charts:
o Graphic charts that depict current or forecast weather.
o Should be used in the beginning stages of flight planning.
o Surface Analysis Chart (AWS Ch. 5):
Depicts the current surface weather.
Areas of high and low pressure;
Fronts;
Temperatures;
Dew points;
Wind directions and speeds;
Visual obstructions;
Local weather;
Surface observations for other U.S. reporting points:
o Illustrated by a station model that includes:
Sky cover.
Sea level pressure:
Given in three digits to the nearest tenth
of a millibar.
For 1,000 mbs or greater, prefix a 10 to
the three digits.
For less than 1,000 mbs, prefix a 9 to the
three digits.
Pressure change/tendency:
Tenths of a mb over the past 3 hours.
Dew point (F).
Present weather:
Over 100 symbols used.
Temperature (F).
Wind:
True direction.

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 Pointer line indicates direction from
which the wind is blowing.
Short barb = 5 knots.
Long barb = 10 knots.
Pennant = 50 knots.
Issued every 3 hours.
o Weather Depiction Chart (AWS Ch. 5):
Details surface conditions as derived from METAR and other surface
observations.
Issued every 3 hours beginning at 0100Z.
Valid for the forecast period.
Designed to be used for flight planning by giving an overall picture of
the weather across the U.S.
Provides a graphic display of VFR, MVFR, and IFR weather.
VFR conditions:
o No ceiling, or ceiling greater than, 3,000 and visibility
greater than 5 miles.
o Not outlined.
MVFR conditions:
o Ceilings 1,000 to 3,000 feet, and visibility 3 to 5 miles.
o Non-hatched area outlined by a smooth line.
IFR conditions:
o Ceilings less than 1,000 and visibility less than 3 miles.
o Hatched area outlined by a smooth line.
Contains fronts, troughs, and squall lines from the previous hours
surface analysis chart.
Also contains station models that do not include winds or pressure
readings like those from surface analysis charts.
o Significant Weather Prognostic Chart (AWS Ch. 8):
Available for low-level significant weather from the surface to FL240
(400 mb level), and high-level significant weather from FL250 to
FL630.
Low-level chart:
Forecast of aviation weather hazards.
Primarily for use as a guidance product for briefing VFR pilots.
Issued 4 times/day.
Valid at fixed times:
o 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, and 1800Z.
Each chart is divided into 12 and 24 hour forecast intervals.
o Depict freezing level, and areas of IFR, MVFR, and
moderate or greater turbulence.
Below 12 and 24 hour forecasts is an enhanced surface chart.

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 o Depicts fronts, pressure, precipitation type,
precipitation intensity, and weather type.
36 and 48 hour chart is an extension of the 12 and 24 hour
forecast.
o Issued twice a day.
o Contains forecast positions and characteristics of
pressure patterns fronts, and precipitation.
o Radar Summary Chart (AWS 5-47):
Computer-generated mosaic of radar echo intensity contours based on
Radar Weather Reports over the contiguous U.S.
Contains:
Possible precipitation types;
Precipitation intensity;
o Three contour levels:
Light, moderate, heavy, extreme (Outside-in).
Cell movements;
Maximum precipitation tops;
Locations of line echoes;
Remarks.
Issued hourly.

5. Go/No-Go Decision
All preflight actions, especially obtaining weather information should be a part of
making a safe go/no-go decision.
o Weather advisories such as AIRMETs and SIGMETS should be obtained so
that the pilot is aware of any forecast or existing flight hazards.
There are VFR weather minimums for the different airspaces, but a pilot should
create a set of personal minimums that applies to their personal level of skill and
comfort.
PAVE checklist.
Pilot should have a backup plan or a planned alternate if the weather is not as
forecasted.

Student Actions:
The student will:
Listen
Take notes
Ask questions
Engage in discussions

Completion Standards:
This lesson is complete when the student can explain weather briefings and how to obtain
them, the available sources of weather information, and how to interpret and use the information
to make a safe go/no-go decision.

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Questions:
1. If a flight has been delayed from the original time of departure for some reason, what
weather briefing should a pilot obtain before the new departure time?
2. What weather briefing services are available to a student pilot?
3. What websites can be accessed for information on aviation weather?
4. How often are METARs issued?
5. What information is required to submit a PIREP?
6. What are the 4 sections of a Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast (FB)?
7. How often are AIRMETs issued and how long are they valid?
8. If a wind barb on a surface analysis chart has two long barbs and a short barb, what is the
wind speed?
9. On a Weather Depiction Chart, the area over KSLC is free of hatching and outlined by a
smooth line. What does this depict?
10. What is the most frequent cause of aircraft accidents that involve the PIC?

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