B Understanding Aviation Weather Reports€¦ · Understanding Aviation Weather Reports B N....

Understanding AviationWeather Reports

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WARNING

The enclosed technical data is eligible for export under License Designation NLRand is to be used solely by the individual/organization to whom it is addressed.Diversion contrary to U.S. law is prohibited.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Copyright © 2001, 2003 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of this publication or any portion thereof by any means without theexpress written permission of Honeywell International Inc. is prohibited. For fur-ther information contact the Manager, Technical Publications; Honeywell; OneTechnology Center; 23500 West 105th Street; Olathe, Kansas 66061.Telephone: (913) 712-0400.

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNDERSTANDING METARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

UNDERSTANDING TAFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

UNDERSTANDING PIREPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

UNDERSTANDING AIRMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

UNDERSTANDING SIGMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

UNDERSTANDING CONVECTIVE SIGMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

UNDERSTANDING ALERT WEATHER WATCHES (AWW) . . . . . . . .14

APPENDIX A COMMON WEATHER ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . .A-1

APPENDIX B INFLIGHT ADVISORY LOCATOR CHARTS . . . . . . . .B-1

iiRev 1 Oct. 2003

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Rev 1 Oct. 2003 1

UNDERSTANDING METARS

Refer to the numbers on the following diagram to find the appropriatedescriptions.

1. Type of Report: METAR (SPECI will be seen here if this is a Special Weather Report)

2. ICAO Station Identifier: KPIT

This is the location for which the METAR pertains.

3. Date and Time of Issue: 201955Z

The 20th day of the month at 1955Zulu or UTC.

4. AUTO indicates the reporting station is an automated station. If the reporting station is a manned station this element will be omitted. Also, if a report from an automated station is modified by a person this ele-ment will be omitted. “COR” indicates a corrected report.

5. Wind: 22015G25KT

220 is the 3 digit true direction to the nearest 10°. Airport advisory ser-vice, ATIS and ATC towers report wind direction as magnetic. “VRB” in this place indicates variable winds less than or equal to 6 knots. If wind direction is varying more than 60° with speeds over 6 knots, an entrysimilar to “180V260” will be displayed in this place. This example actually shows wind direction varying by 80°.

15 is the 2 or 3 digit wind speed (in knots).

25 is the 2 or 3 digit wind gust speed in knots (KT) because it follows a G(Gust).

6. Visibility: 3/4SM R28R/2600FT

3/4 indicates 3/4 statute mile (SM) visibility.

Runway Visual Range (RVR) for R28R (runway 28 right) is 2600 feet (2600FT). An “M” in this distance number indicates visibility is less thanthe lowest reportable sensor value. A “P” indicates visibility is greater than the highest reportable sensor value.

NOTE: Only reported at those locations with certified RVR reporting capa-bility.

METAR KPIT 201955Z AUTO 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB

18/16 A2992 RMK SLPO13 T01760158 PK WND 22030/15

1 3 4 52 6 7 8

9 10 11

2Rev 1 Oct. 2003

7. Significant Present Weather: TSRA

TS is a two letter designation for thunderstorm. Other possible desig-nations could be as follows:

BC PatchesBL BlowingDR Low DriftingFZ Supercooled/FreezingMI ShallowPR PartialSH Showers

The second two letter designator, RA, indicates moderate rain.Moderate is indicated by the absence of a “+”, “-” or “VC” preceding thedesignation. These preceding designations represent the following:

+ Heavy- LightVC In the vicinity

Other possible designations could be as follows:

BR MistDS Dust StormDU Widespread DustDZ DrizzleFC Funnel Cloud+FC Tornado/Water SpoutFG FogFU SmokeGR HailGS Small Hail/Snow PelletsHZ HazeIC Ice CrystalsPE Ice PelletsPO Dust/Sand WhirlsPY SpraySA SandSG Snow GrainsSN SnowSQ SquallSS SandstormUP Unknown Precipitation (Automated Observations)VA Volcanic Ash

8. Sky Condition: OVC010CB

OVC indicates the sky is overcast. Cloud cover is based on the skybeing divided into eighths or octas. Overcast means the sky is 8 octascovered. The cloud cover designators are as follows:

SKC Sky Clear

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 3

CLR Clear below 12,000 ft. (automated observing systems)FEW 1-2 OctasSCT 3-4 OctasBKN 5-7 OctasOVC 8 octas

“VV” may also be encountered here indicating an indefinite ceiling. Forexample, VV004 would indicate a vertical visibility of 400 feet.

010 indicates clouds are at 1000 feet.

CB denotes cloud type is cumulonimbus. “TCU” is another possibledesignator meaning towering cumulus. CI is cirrus.

9. Temperature/Dew Point: 18/16

18 indicated the temperature is 18° Celsius. An “M” preceding the tem-perature means the temperature is below 0° Celsius.

16 indicated the dew point is 16° Celsius. An “M” preceding the dewpoint means the dew point is below 0° Celsius.

10. Altimeter Setting: A2992

A indicates the setting is in inches of mercury.

2992 is the altimeter setting. The first two digits are inches and thesecond two are hundredths.

11. Remarks: RMK SLP013 T01760158 PK WND 22030/15

RMK designates the beginning of the remarks. Remarks can contain anything, but often include the following:

SLP indicates sea level pressure in millibars from selected stations.

013 indicates pressure is 1001.3 millibars.

T01760158. Selected stations may also include a 9 place code indi-cating temperature and dewpoint to the nearest 1/10 degree. Tdenotes temperature. 0 indicates temperature is above 0° Celsius. A“1” in this position indicates a temperature below 0° Celsius. 176 indi-cates a temperature of 17.6° Celsius. The next 0 indicates the dewpoint is above 0° Celsius. A “1” in this position indicates a dew pointbelow 0° Celsius. 158 indicates a dewpoint of 15.8° Celsius.

PK WND 22030/15. Selected stations may include peak wind observa-tions which will appear in the remarks element.

PK WND denotes peak wind.

200 indicates wind direction from 200°.

30/15 indicates a maximum instantaneous wind of 30 knots occurred at15 minutes past the hour.

4Rev 1 Oct. 2003

UNDERSTANDING TAFS

Refer to the numbers on the following diagram to find the appropriatedescriptions.

1. Type of Report: TAF

TAF indicates a Terminal Area Forecast. TAF AMD indicates anamended forecast.

2. ICAO Station Identifier: KPIT

This is the airport for which the TAF pertains.

3. Date and Time of Issue: 091730Z

The 9th day of the month at 1730Zulu or UTC.

4. Date and Time Valid: 091818

The 9th day of the month, valid for 24 hours from 091800Z to 101800Z.An amended forecast (TAF AMD) will be valid for only the time intervalremaining, usually less than 24 hours.

5. Forecast Wind: 22020KT

See #5 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details.

6. Forecast Visibility: 3SM

See #6 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details, except RVR is not included in a TAF

7. Forecast Weather Phenomenon: -SHRA


8. Sky Conditions: BKN020


9. Beginning of Changed Forecast Conditions: FM1000

TAF KPIT 091730Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020

FM2030 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 WS015/30045KT

TEMPO 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB

FM0100 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 PROB40 0407

00000KT 1SM -RA BR

FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020 BECMG 1315 20010KT

P6SM NSW SKC

1 3 4 52 6 7 8

910

11 1514131216 17 18

1920

21

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 5

FM denotes “from” and 1000 indicates 1000Z. “From” means a signifi-cant change in prevailing conditions is expected. The described condi-tions follow this element and supercede all previous forecast conditions.

10. Forecast Wind: 22010KT


11. Forecast Visibility: 5SM


12. Forecast Weather Phenomenon: -SHRA


13. Forecast Sky Conditions: OVC020


14. Change in Conditions: BECMG 1315

BECMG indicates “becoming” over the time interval between 1300Z(13) and 1500Z (15). “Becoming” describes a gradual change in fore-cast conditions. The described conditions follow this element andsupercede previously reported like elements.

15. Wind Becoming: 20010KT

See #5 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. Thiselement may be omitted if no change is expected.

16. Visibility Becoming: P6SM


17. Weather Phenomenon Becoming: NSW

NSW indicates “No Significant Weather”. See #7 in the UNDER-STANDING METARs section for details.

18. Sky Conditions Becoming: SKC


19. Change in Conditions: TEMPO 2022

TEMPO indicates “temporary” changes expected as described between2000Z (20)and 2200Z (22). “Temporary” indicates a temporary fluctua-tion in conditions, usually lasting less than one hour. The describedconditions follow this element.

20. Low Level Windshear: WS015/30045KT

WS indicates “windshear” not associated with convective activity. 015indicates the windshear is expected at 1500 feet. AGL Wind isexpected from 300° (300) at 45 knots (45KT).

21. Change in Conditions: PROB40 0407

PROB40 indicates a 40% “probability” of described conditions occurringbetween 0400Z (04)and 0700Z (07). The described conditions followthis element.

6Rev 1 Oct. 2003

UNDERSTANDING PIREPS

The following is an example of a typical PIREP with an explanation of theelements.

1. Station Identifier: KCRW

This is the station identifier of the nearest weather reporting location tothe reported conditions.

2. Report Type: UA

Reports will be routine (UA) or urgent (UUA).

3. Location: OV KBKW 360015-KCRW

OV indicates the report is in relation to a VOR. KBKW is the VOR iden-tifier, in this case Beckley VOR. 360015-KCRW indicates position asrelated to the VOR. In this case, 15 miles out on the 360 degree radial.KCRW indicates this is a leg to the Charleston, West Virginia VOR.

The next series of elements contain data that is read much like that inMETARs and TAFs. Each element starts with a 2-letter designator whichdenotes the type of data with that element. The following defines the ele-ment designators:

/TM: Time as Coordinated Universal Time

/FL: Altitude as Flight Level

/TP: Aircraft Type

/SK: Sky Cover (may include cloud height and coverage)

/WX: Weather Phenomenon (can include flight visibility, precipitation and restrictions to visibility.

/TA: Outside air temperature at altitude in degrees Celsius.

/WV: Wind (direction in degrees magnetic north and speed in knots)

/TB: Turbulence (refer to the Airman’s Information Manual)CAT - Clear Air TurbulenceCHOP - Choppy TurbulenceOCNL - OccasionalNEG - No TurbulenceABV - AboveBLO - Below

KCRW UA/OV KBKW 360015-KCRW/TM 1815/FL120/TP BE99/SK IMC/

WX RA/TA M08/WV 290030/TB LGT-MDT/IC LGT RIME/RM MDT MXD

ICG DURGC KROA NWBND FL080-100 1750Z

1 32

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 7

LGT - Light - Momentarily causes slight, erratic changes in alti-tude and/or attitude.

MOD - Moderate - Greater intensity changes in altitude and/orattitude, but aircraft remains in positive control at all times.Usually causes changes in indicated airspeed.

SEV - Severe - Causes large and abrupt changes to aircraft alti-tude and/or attitude. Large variations in indicated airspeed andmomentary loss of control.

EXTRM - Extreme - Aircraft is violently tossed about and is nearlyimpossible to control. May cause structural damage.

/IC: Icing (refer to the Airman’s Information Manual)CLR - ClearMX - Mixed (combination of rime and clear icing)NEG - No IcingABV - AboveBLO - Below

Trace - Ice becomes perceptible. Rate of evaporation is almostequal to the rate of accumulation. Deicing/anti-icing equipment isnot utilized unless encountered for a period of time greater than 1hour.

LGT - Light - Rate of accumulation may be a problem if flight isprolonged for longer than 1 hour without deicing/anti-icing equip-ment. Deicing/anti-icing removes and/or prevents accumulation.

MOD - Moderate - The rate of accumulation is such that evenshort encounters become potentially hazardous. Use ofdeicing/anti-icing equipment or diversion is necessary.

SEV - Severe - Flight diversion is necessary. Deicing/anti-icingequipment is not effective.

/RM: Remarks (for reporting elements not included or to clarify previ-ously reported items). Remarks can include anything. The example translates to “moderate (MDT) mixed (MXD) icing duringclimb (DURGC) from Roanoke, VA (KROA) northwestbound (NWBND) between Flight Level 080 and 100 (FL080100) at 1750Z”.

8Rev 1 Oct. 2003

UNDERSTANDING AIRMETS

The following is an example of a typical AIRMET with an explanation of theelements.

1. Forecast Area: CHIT

This is the station identifier of the issuing Weather Service ForecastOffice.BOS BostonCHI ChicagoDFW Dallas/Ft. WorthMIA MiamiSFO San FransiscoSLC Salt Lake City

The T denotes the reason for the AIRMET. This could be one of thefollowing:

S Sierra IFR Ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visi-bility less than 3 miles affecting over 50% of the area at one time or extensive moun-tain obscuration.

T Tango Turbulence Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or more at the surface or low level windshear.

Z Zulu Icing Moderate icing and/or freezing levels.

AIRMET items are considered widespread. Widespread is consideredan area of at least 3,000 square miles.

2. Report Type: WA

WA identifies an AIRMET.

3. Date and Time Issued: 151900

15 indicates the 15th day of the month. 1900 indicates UTC.

CHIT WA 151900 AMD

AIRMET TANGO UPDT 2 FOR TURB

VALID UNTIL 160100

AIRMET TURB...KS MO

FROM MCI TO STL TO SGF TO ICT TO MCI

MOD TURB BLW 100 EXPCD

CONDS IPVG AFT 160000Z

1 3 4

5

2

6

789

10

4. AMD indicates an amended report. Reports can be amended due tochanging weather conditions or issuance/cancelation of a SIGMET.COR in this field would indicate a corrected AIRMET. RTD indicates adelayed AIRMET.

5. This line indicates that there is a second (2) update (UPDT) to thisAIRMET issued for turbulence (FOR TURB). More than one meteoro-logical condition may be addressed as shown in the following:

FOR IFR AND MTN (mountain) OBSCN (obscuration)

FOR ICE AND FRZLVL (freezing level)

FOR STG (strong) SFC (surface) WINDS AND LLWS (low level wind shear)

6. This updated AIRMET is valid until 0100 UTC on the 16th day (16) ofthe month. An AIRMET does not contain an explicit validity start time.

7. This AIRMET forecasts turbulence (TURB) for the states of KS(Kansas) and MO (Missouri). Geographic areas are also covered suchas CSTL WTRS (coastal waters). Other geographic abbreviations areused as well (see Appendix A).

8. The affected area is defined by lines FROM MCI (Kansas City) TO STL(St. Louis) TO SGF (Springfield) TO ICT (Wichita) and back TO MCI.Areas can be defined by lines between points which are airport ornavaid identifiers.

9. Moderate (MOD) turbulence (TURB ) below (BLW ) 10,000 feetexpected (EXPCD).

10. Conditions (CONDS) improving (IPVG) after (AFT) the 16th day (16) ofthe month 0000 UTC.

If conditions end more than one hour prior to the indicated expiration time,an amended AIRMET will be issued stating it’s cancellation. If conditionsend within one hour of the indicated expiration time, the AIRMET will beallowed to expire without cancellation.

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 9

10Rev 1 Oct. 2003

UNDERSTANDING SIGMETS

The following is an example of a typical SIGMET issued for turbulence withan explanation of the elements.

1. Forecast Area: CHIR

This is the station identifier of the issuing Weather Service ForecastOffice.BOS BostonCHI ChicagoDFW Dallas/Ft. WorthMIA MiamiSFO San FransiscoSLC Salt Lake City

The R denotes report ROMEO. A new alphabetic designator is giveneach time a SIGMET is issued for a new weather phenomenon. Theorder of issuance is as follows:

N NOVEMBERO OSCARP PAPAQ QUEBECR ROMEOU UNIFORMV VICTORW WHISKEYX XRAYY YANKEE

SIGMETs are issued for:Severe icing not associated with thunderstormsSevere or extreme turbulence or clear air turbulence (CAT)Dust storms or sandstorms lowering visibilities to < 3 milesVolcanic ash

2. Report Type: UWS

UWS indicates this is the first issuance of report ROMEO. Subsequentreports for ROMEO would display WS.

CHIR UWS 041430

SIGMET ROMEO 1 VALID UNTIL 041830

KY TN WV VA OH

FROM CVG TO EKN TO PSK TO VXV TO CVG

OCNL SEV TURB BTN 300 AND 360. RPRTD BY AIRCRAFT.

CONDS CONTG BYD 1830Z.

SLM/GTB

1 3

45

2

6

7

8

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 11

3. Date and Time Issued: 041430.


4. This line indicates that SIGMET ROMEO 1 is VALID UNTIL the 4th day(04) of the month at 1830 UTC.

Each subsequent report issued for this same weather phenomenondesignated ROMEO would increment the number. For example,ROMEO 2, ROMEO 3 and so on.

5. Area of coverage by state or geographic area. In addition to stateabbreviations, other area abbreviations may be seen here, such as, TXCSTL WTRS (Texas Coastal Waters).

6. Location of weather phenomenon. Three letter designators for navaidsor airports are used to describe boundaries of coverage. If the weatherphenomenon extends across multiple forecast areas, the location isdescribed as if no boundaries exist.

7. Details of weather phenomenon. The example is typical of a synopsisfor turbulence:

OCNL (occasional) SEV (severe) TURB (turbulence) BTN (between)300 (30,000 feet) AND 360 (36,000 feet). RPRTD (reported) BY AIR-CRAFT. CONDS (conditions) CONTG (continuing) BYD (beyond1830Z.

More typical examples of descriptors used in other SIGMET weatherphenomenon are as follows:

MOD (moderate) TOSTG (strong) UDDFS (updrafts and downdrafts)UPDFTS (updrafts)DWNDFTS (downdrafts)INVOF (in vicinity of) MTNS (mountains)BLO (below) 360BTWN (between) FRZLVL (freezing level) AND 360ABV (above) 360RPRTD (reported) BY ACFT(aircraft) IN VCNTY (vicinity)RPRTD BY SVRL (several) ACFT

8. Issuers initials.

If conditions end more than one half hour prior to the indicated expirationtime, and the report does not state that conditions will continue, a cancella-tion will be issued with CNCL SIGMET as the report designator. If condi-tions are expected to continue, a new SIGMET will be issued. If conditionsend within one half hour of the indicated expiration time, the SIGMET will beallowed to expire without cancellation.

12Rev 1 Oct. 2003

UNDERSTANDING CONVECTIVE SIGMETS

The following is an example of a typical Convective SIGMET with an expla-nation of the elements.

1. Station Identifier: MKCC

MKC is the station identifier of the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) inKansas City.

The C denotes the report is for the Central portion of the continentalUnited States. The choices are as follows:

C CentralE EastW West

Convective SIGMETs are issued for:

Severe weather including: (a)Surface winds ≥ 50 knots, (b) Surface hail ≥ 3/4 inch in diameter or (c) Tornadoes

Embedded thunderstorms (obscured by haze or other phenomena)

Line of thunderstorms

Thunderstorms ≥ VIP level 4 affecting ≥ 40% of an area ≥ 3000 sq. mi.

2. Report Type: WST

WST indicates this is a convective SIGMET.


22 indicates the 22nd day of the month. 1855 indicates UTC.

4. This line is the identifying number of the Convective SIGMET.Numbering begins daily at 0000 UTC. The C denotes the Central por-tion of the country.

5. This line indicates that CONVECTIVE SIGMET 20C is VALID UNTIL2055Z time. Expiration time is two hours after issuance, but Convective

MKCC WST 221855

CONVECTIVE SIGMET 20C

VALID UNTIL 2055Z

ND SD

FROM 60W MOT-GFK-ABR-90W MOT

INTSFYG AREA SVR TSTMS MOVG FROM 2445. TOPS ABV FL450.

WIND GUSTS TO 60KT RPRTD. TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2 IN…WIND

GUSTS TO 65KT PSBL ND PTN.

1 3

4

2

5

67

8

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 13

SIGMETs are issued hourly and replace the previous hour’s product.

Each subsequent report issued for this same weather phenomenonwould increment the number. For example, 21C, 22C and so on.

6. Area of coverage by state ND (North Dakota) and SD (South Dakota)or geographic area. In addition to state abbreviations, other area abbre-viations may be seen here, such as FL CSTL WTRS (Florida CoastalWaters).

7. Location of weather phenomenon (may be an area, single cell or line).Three letter designators for navaids or airports are used to describeboundaries of coverage.

The starting and ending point are identical for an area of thunder-storms, like this: FROM 90W MOT-GFK-ABR-90W MOT (from 90 nmwest of Minot, ND to Grand Forks, ND to Aberdeen, SD to 90 nm westof Minot, ND).

A Single Cell thunderstorm 35 nm west of Kansas City would look likethis: 35WMKC

A Line of severe thunderstorms would look like this: FROM 90SE SGF-70NE TXK-50NE LFK (from 90 nm southeast of Springfield, MO to 70nm northeast of Texarkana, AR to 50 nm northeast of Lufkin, TX).

8. Details of weather phenomenon. Convective SIGMET details aremostly in plain language with some abbreviations. This example is typ-ical for an area of severe thunderstorms:

INTSFYG (intensifying) AREA (of) SVR TSTMS (severe thunder-storms) MOVG (moving) FROM 2445 (240 degrees at 45 knots). StormTOPS ABV (above) FL450 (flight level 4-5-0). WIND GUSTS TO 60KT(knots) RPRTD (reported). TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2 IN (inches indiameter)…WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT (knots) PSBL (possible) in the NDPTN (North Dakota portion).

For a single cell thunderstorm:

ISOLD (isolated) SVR TSTM (severe thunderstorm) D30 (30 nm indiameter) MOVG (moving) FROM 2520 (250 degrees at 20 knots).Storm TOPS ABV (above) FL450 (flight level 4-5-0). HAIL TO 2 IN(inches in diameter) WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT (knots) PSBL (possible).

For a line of thunderstorms 25 nm wide:

LINE (line of) SVR TSTMS (severe thunderstorms) 25 MI WIDE MOVG(moving) FROM 2745 (270 degrees at 45 knots). Storm TOPS ABV(above) FL450 (flight level 4-5-0). WIND GUSTS TO 60KT (knots)RPRTD (reported). TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2 IN (inches indiameter)…WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT (knots) PSBL (possible).

14Rev 1 Oct. 2003

UNDERSTANDING ALERT WEATHER WATCHES (AWW)

The following is an example of a typical Alert Weather Watch with an expla-nation of the elements.

1. Station Identifier: SPC

SPC is the station identifier for the Storm Prediction Center in Norman,Oklahoma.

AWWs are issued for:

TornadoDamaging winds or winds > 58 knotsHail ≥ 3/4 inch in diameter.

2. Report Type: AWW

AWW indicates this is an Alert Weather Watch.



4. WW 1162 is the identifying number of the Alert Weather Watch.Numbering begins yearly at 0000.

5. This line indicates the type of weather and the affected areas. SEVERETSTM (severe thunderstorm) for MS (Mississippi) AL (Alabama) FL(Florida) AND ADJ CSTL WTRS (adjacent coastal waters).

6. This line indicates that the watch is valid from 162300Z - 170400Z (the16th at 2300 Zulu to the 17th at 0400 Zulu).

SPC AWW 162236

WW 1162 SEVERE TSTM MS AL FL AND ADJ CSTL WTRS

162300Z - 170400Z

AXIS..75 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..

45SW MOB/MOBILE AL/ - 30SSE DHN/DOTHAN AL/

..AVIATION COORDS.. 65NM N/S /37SW MOB - 51WNW TLH/

HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 1/4 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60

KNOTS. MAX TOPS TO 400. MEAN WIND VECTOR 23035.

1 3

4

2

6

7

8

5

9

Rev 1 Oct. 2003 15

7. Coordinates of the watch box area. Draw a line 75 STATUTE MILESNORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE.. The endpoints of the line are45SSW MOB/MOBILE AL/-30SSE DHN/DOTHAN AL/ (45 milessouth-southwest of Mobile, Alabama and 30 miles south-southeast ofDothan, Alabama). Connect the lines to form the box. Sometimes itmight be defined as EAST AND WEST OF A LINE.. or EITHER SIDEOF A LINE..

8. Aviation coordinates of the watch box area. Draw a line 65NM N/S / (65nautical miles north and south) of a line). The endpoints of the line are37SW MOB - 51WNW TLH/ (37 nautical miles southwest of Mobile,Alabama and 51 nautical miles west-northwest of Tallahassee, Florida).Connect the lines to form the box.

9. Details of the forecast weather. AWW details are mostly in plain lan-guage with some abbreviations. This is an example of a typical product.

HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 1/4 INCHES (hail diameter potentialof one and one quarter inches) WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS (wind gustpotential of 60 knots) MAX TOPS TO 400 (maximum tops of the stormsis 40,000 feet). MEAN WIND VECTOR 23035 (motion of storm is 230degrees at 35 knots).

16Rev 1 Oct. 2003


Appendix ARev 1 Oct. 2003 A-1

ABNDT AbundantABNML AbnormalABT AboutABV AboveAC Convective outlook

or altocumulusACC Altocumulus castel-

lanus cloudsACCAS Altocumulus castel-

lanus cloudsACFT MSHP Aircraft MishapACCUM AccumulateACFT AircraftACLT AccelerateACLTD AcceleratedACLTG AcceleratingACLTS AcceleratesACPY AccompanyACRS AcrossACSL Altocumulus

standing lenticularACTV ActiveACTVTY ActivityACYC AnticycloneADJ AdjacentADL AdditionalADQT AdequateADQTLY AdequatelyADRNDCK AdirondackADVCT AdvectADVCTD AdvectedADVCTG AdvectingADVCTN AdvectionADVCTS AdvectsADVN AdvanceADVNG AdvancingADVY AdvisoryADVYS AdvisoriesAFCT Affect

AFCTD AffectedAFCTG AffectingAFDK After darkAFOS Automated Field

Operations SystemAFSS Automated Flight

Service StationAFT AfterAFTN AfternoonAGL Above ground levelAGN AgainAGRD AgreedAGRS AgreesAGRMT AgreementAHD AheadAIRMET Airman’s Meteoro-

logical InformationAK AlaskaAL AlabamaALF AloftALG AlongALGHNY AlleghenyALP Airport Location

PointALQDS All quadrantsALSTG Altimeter settingALT AltitudeALTA AlbertaALTHO AlthoughALTM AltimeterALUTN AleutianAMD AmendAMDD AmendedAMDG AmendingAMDT AmendmentAMP AmplifyAMPG AmplifyingAMPLTD AmplitudeAMS Air mass

APPENDIX ACOMMON WEATHER ABBREVIATIONS

AMT AmountANLYS AnalysisANS AnswerAO1 Automated

Reporting StationAO2 Automated

Reporting StationAOA At or aboveAOB At or belowAP Anomalous

PropagationAPCH ApproachAPCHG ApproachingAPCHS ApproachesAPLCN AppalachianAPLCNS AppalachiansAPPR AppearAPPRG AppearingAPPRS AppearsAPRNT ApparentAPRNTLY ApparentlyAPRX ApproximateAPRXLY ApproximatelyAR ArkansasARL Air Resources LabARND AroundARPT AirportASAP As soon as possibleASL Above Sea LevelASMD As AmendedASOS Automated Surface

Observing SystemASSOCD AssociatedASSOCN AssociationATCT Air Traffic Control

TowerATLC AtlanticATTM At this timeATTN AttentionAUTO Automated reportAVBL AvailableAVG AverageAVN Aviation model

AWC Aviation Weather Center

AWIPS Advanced InteractiveWeather Processing System

AWOS Automated Weather Observing system

AWT AwaitingAWW Alert Weather WatchAZ ArizonaAZM AzimuthB BeganBACLIN BaroclinicBAJA Baja, CaliforniaBATROP BarotropicBC British Columbia or

patches (descriptor used with FG)

BCFG Patchy fogBCH BeachBCKG BackingBCM BecomeBCMG BecomingBCMS BecomesBD Blowing dustBDA BermudaBDRY BoundaryBECMG BecomingBFDK Before darkBFR BeforeBGN BeginBGNG BeginningBGNS BeginsBHND BehindBINOVC Breaks in overcastBKN BrokenBL BlowingBLD BuildBLDG BuildingBLDS BuildsBLDUP BuildupBLKHLS Black HillsBLKT Blanket

A-2Rev 1 Oct. 2003 Appendix A


BLKTG BlanketingBLKTS BlanketsBLO Below or below

cloudsBLW BelowBLZD BlizzardBN Blowing sandBND BoundBNDRY BoundaryBNDRYS BoundariesBNTH BeneathBOOTHEEL BootheelBR Branch or mist

(METAR, used only for visibility between 5/8 and 6 miles)

BRF BriefBRG BranchingBRK BreakBRKG BreakingBRKHIC Breaks in higher

cloudsBRKS BreaksBRKSHR BerkshireBRKSHRS BerkshiresBRM BarometerBRN Bulk Richardson

NumberBRS BranchesBS Blowing snowBTWN BetweenBWER Bounded weak

echo regionBYD BeyondC CelsiusCA California or cloud-

to-air lightning in PIREPs

CAA Cold air advectionCAPE Convective available

potential energyCARIB CaribbeanCAS Committee for

Aviation Services

CASCDS CascadesCAT Clear air turbulenceCAVOK Ceiling and visibility

OKCAVU Ceiling and visibility

unlimitedCB CumulonimbusCBMAM Cumulonimbus

Mammatus cloudsCC CirrocumulusCCCC Generic WMO format

code group for a four-letter location identifier

CCL Convective conden-sation level

CCLDS Clear of cloudsCCLKWS CounterclockwiseCCSL Cirrocumulus

standing lenticularCCx Code used in the

WMO abbreviated heading to indicate a corrected forecast, where x is the letter A through X

CDFNT Cold frontCDFNTL Cold frontalCFP Cold front passageCG Cloud to ground

(lightning)CHC ChanceCHCS ChancesCHG ChangeCHGD ChangedCHGG ChangingCHGS ChangesCHI Cloud-Height

indicatorCHINO Sky condition at

secondary location not available

CHOP Turbulence type characterized by rapid, rhythmic jolts

CHSPK ChesapeakeCI Cirrus


CIG CeilingCIGS CeilingsCIN Convective inhibitionCLD CloudCLDNS CloudinessCLDS CloudsCLKWS ClockwiseCLR ClearCLRG ClearingCLRS ClearsCMPLX ComplexCNCL CancelCNCLD CanceledCNCLG CancelingCNCLS CancelsCNDN CanadianCNTR CenterCNTRD CenteredCNTRLN CenterlineCNTRS CentersCNTRL CentralCNTY CountyCNTYS CountiesCNVG ConvergeCNVGG ConvergingCNVGNC ConvergenceCNVTN ConvectionCNVTV ConvectiveCNVTVLY ConvectivelyCONFDC ConfidenceCO ColoradoCOMPAR CompareCOMPARG ComparingCOMPARD ComparedCOMPARS ComparesCOMPR CompareCOMPRG ComparingCOMPRD ComparedCOMPRS ComparesCOND ConditionCONS Continuous

CONT ContinueCONTD ContinuedCONTLY ContinuallyCONTG ContinuingCONTRAILS Condensation trailsCONTS ContinuesCONTDVD Continental DivideCONUS Continental U.S.COORD CoordinateCOR CorrectionCPBL CapableCPC Climate Prediction

CenterCRC CircleCRCLC CirculateCRCLN CirculationCRLC CirculateCRLN CirculationCRNR CornerCRNRS CornersCRS CourseCS CirrostratusCSDR ConsiderCSDRBL ConsiderableCST CoastCSTL CoastalCT ConnecticutCTC ContactCTGY CategoryCTSKLS CatskillsCU CumulusCUFRA Cumulus fractusCVR CoverCVRD CoveredCVRG CoveringCVRS CoversCWSU Center Weather

Service UnitsCYC CyclonicCYCLGN CyclogenesisDABRK DaybreakDALGT Daylight


DBL DoubleDC District of ColumbiaDCR DecreaseDCRD DecreasedDCRG DecreasingDCRGLY DecreasinglyDCRS DecreasesDE DelawareDEG DegreeDEGS DegreesDELMARVA Delaware-Maryland-

VirginiaDFCLT DifficultDFCLTY DifficultyDFNT DefiniteDFNTLY DefinitelyDFRS DiffersDFUS DiffuseDGNL DiagonalDGNLLY DiagonallyDIGG DiggingDIR DirectionDISC DiscontinueDISCD DiscontinuedDISCG DiscontinuingDISRE DisregardDISRED DisregardedDISREG DisregardingDKTS DakotasDLA DelayDLAD DelayedDLT DeleteDLTD DeletedDLTG DeletingDLY DailyDMG DamageDMGD DamagedDMGG DamagingDMNT DominantDMSH DiminishDMSHD Diminished

DMSHG DiminishingDMSHS DiminishesDNDFTS DowndraftsDNS DenseDNSLP DownslopeDNSTRM DownstreamDNWND DownwindDP DeepDPND DeepenedDPNG DeepeningDPNS DeepensDPR DeeperDPTH DepthDR Low Drifting

(descriptor used with DU, SA or SN

DRDU Drifting dustDRFT DriftDRFTD DriftedDRFTG DriftingDRFTS DriftsDRSA Low drifting sandDRSN Low drifting snowDRZL DrizzleDS DuststormDSCNT DescentDSIPT DissipateDSIPTD DissipatedDSIPTG DissipatingDSIPTN DissipationDSIPTS DissipatesDSND DescendDSNDG DescendingDSNDS DescendsDSNT DistantDSTBLZ DestabilizeDSTBLZD DestabilizedDSTBLZG DestabilizingDSTBLZS DestabilizesDSTBLZN DestabilizationDSTC DistanceDTRT Deteriorate


DTRTD DeterioratedDTRTG DeterioratingDTRTS DeterioratesDU Widespread dust

stormDURC During climbDURD During descentDURG DuringDURGC During climbDURGD During descentDURN DurationDVLP DevelopDVLPD DevelopedDVLPG DevelopingDVLPMT DevelopmentDVLPS DevelopsDVRG DivergeDVRGG DivergingDVRGNC DivergenceDVRGS DivergesDVV Downward vertical

velocityDWNDFTS DowndraftsDWPNT Dew pointDWPNTS Dew pointsDX DuplexDZ Drizzle (METAR)E EastEBND EastboundEFCT EffectELNGT ElongateELNGTD ElongatedELSW ElsewhereEMBD EmbeddedEMBDD EmbeddedEMERG EmergencyENCTR EncounterENDG EndingENE East-northeastENELY East-northeasterlyENERN East-northeastern

ENEWD East-northeastwardENHNC EnhanceENHNCD EnhancedENHNCG EnhancingENHNCS EnhancesENHNCMNT EnhancementENRT EnrouteENTR EntireERN EasternERY EarlyERYR EarlierESE East-southeastESELY East-southeasterlyESERN East-southeasternESEWD East-southeastwardESNTL EssentialESTAB EstablishEST EstimateESTS EstimatesETA Estimated time of

arrival or ETA model

ETC Et ceteraETIM Elapsed timeEVE EveningEWD EastwardEXCLV ExclusiveEXCLVLY ExclusivelyEXCP ExceptEXPC ExpectEXPCD ExpectedEXPCG ExpectingEXTD ExtendEXTDD ExtendedEXTDG ExtendingEXTDS ExtendsEXTN ExtensionEXTRAP ExtrapolateEXTRAPD ExtrapolatedEXTRM ExtremeEXTRMLY Extremely


EXTSV ExtensiveF FahrenheitFA Aviation area fore-

castFAH FahrenheitFAM FamiliarFC Funnel cloud

(+FC = Tornado or water spout)

FCST ForecastFCSTD ForecastedFCSTG ForecastingFCSTR ForecasterFCSTS ForecastsFEW Few (used to

describe cloud cover or weather phenomena, >0 octas to 2 octas cloud amount)

FG Fog (METAR, only when visibility is less than 5/8 mile)

FIBI Filed but impracti-cable to transmit

FIG FigureFILG FillingFIR Flight information

regionFIRAV First availableFIS Flight Information

ServiceFIS-B Flight Information

Service - BroadcastFIRST First observation

after a break in cov-erage at manual station

FL Florida or flight levelFLG FallingFLRY FlurryFLRYS FlurriesFLT FlightFLW FollowFLWG FollowingFM From

FMGGgg From the time (UTC) indicated by GGgg. Generic WMO formatcode group, indi-cating a significant and rapid (in less than 1 hour) change to a new set of prevailing conditions

FMT FormatFNCTN FunctionFNT FrontFNTL FrontalFNTS FrontsFNTGNS FrontogenesisFNTLYS FrontolysisFORNN ForenoonFPM Feet per minuteFQT FrequentFQTLY FrequentlyFRM FormFRMG FormingFRMN FormationFROPA Frontal passageFROSFC Frontal surfaceFRQ FrequentFRST FrostFRWF Forecast wind factorFRZ FreezeFRZLVL Freezing levelFRZN FrozenFRZG FreezingFT Feet or

Terminal ForecastFTHR FurtherFU SmokeFV Flight visibilityFVRBL FavorableFWD ForwardFYI For your informationFZ FreezingFZRANO Freezing rain

sensor not availableG Gust


GA GeorgiaGEN GeneralGENLY GenerallyGEO GeographicGEOREF Geographical refer-

enceGF FogGICG Glaze icingGLFALSK Gulf of AlaskaGLFCAL Gulf of CaliforniaGLFMEX Gulf of MexicoGLFSTLAWR Gulf of St.

LawrenceGND GroundGNDFG Ground fogGOES Geostationary

Operational Environmental Satellite

GR Hail (greater than 1/4 inch in diam-eter)

GRAD GradientGRDL GradualGRDLY GraduallyGRT GreatGRTLY GreatlyGRTR GreaterGRTST GreatestGRTLKS Great LakesGS Small hail or snow

pellets (smaller than 1/4 inch in diameter)

GSTS GustsGSTY GustyGTS Global Telecommuni-

cation SystemGV Ground visibilityHAZ HazardHCVIS High clouds visibleHDFRZ Hard freezeHDSVLY Hudson ValleyHDWND Head windHGT Height

HI High or HawaiiHIER HigherHIFOR High level forecastHLF HalfHLTP HilltopHLSTO HailstonesHLYR Haze layerHND HundredHPC Hydrometeorological

Prediction CenterHR HourHRS HoursHRZN HorizonHTG HeatingHURCN HurricaneHUREP Hurricane reportHV HaveHVY HeavyHVYR HeavierHVYST HeaviestHWVR HoweverHWY HighwayHZ HazeIA IowaIC Ice crystals or iceICAO International Civil

Aviation Organization

ICG IcingICGIC Icing in cloudsICGICIP Icing in clouds and

in precipitationICGIP Icing in precipitationID IdahoIFR Instrument flight

rulesIL IllinoisIMC Instrument meteo-

rolgical conditionsIMDT ImmediateIMDTLY ImmediatelyIMPL ImpulseIMPLS Impulses


IMPT ImportantINCL IncludeINCLD IncludedINCLG IncludingINCLS IncludesINCR IncreaseINCRD IncreasedINCRG IncreasingINCRGLY IncreasinglyINCRS IncreasesINDC IndicateINDCD IndicatedINDCG IndicatingINDCS IndicatesINDEF IndefiniteINFO InformationINLD InlandINSTBY InstabilityINTCNTL IntercontinentalINTER IntermittentINTL InternationalINTMD IntermediateINTMT IntermittentINTMTLY IntermittentlyINTR InteriorINTRMTRGN Intermountain

regionINTS IntenseINTSFCN IntensificationINTSFY IntensifyINTSFYD IntensifiedINTSFYG IntensifyingINTSFYS IntensifiesINTSTY IntensityINTVL IntervalINVRN InversionIOVC In overcastINVOF In vicinity ofIP Ice pelletsIPV ImproveIPVG Improving

IR InfraredISOL IsolateISOLD IsolatedJCTN JunctionJTSTR Jet streamKFRST Killing frostKLYR Smoke layer aloftKOCTY Smoke over cityKS KansasKT KnotsKY KentuckyL LeftLA LouisianaLABRDR LabradorLAPS Local Analysis and

Prediction SystemLAMP Local AWIPS MOS

ProgramLAST Last observation

before a break in coverage at a manual station

LAT LatitudeLAWRS Limited aviation

weather reporting station

LCL Local or Lifted condensation level

LCLY LocallyLCTD LocatedLCTN LocationLCTMP Little change in

temperatureLDG LandingLEVEL LevelLFM Limited fine mesh

modelLFTG LiftingLGRNG Long-rangeLGT LightLGTR LighterLGWV Long waveLI Lifted Index


LIFR Low instrument flight rules

LIS Lifted IndicesLK LakeLKS LakesLKLY LikelyLLJ Low level jetLLWAS Low-level wind

shear alert systemLLWS Low-level wind

shearLMTD LimitedLMTG LimitingLMTS LimitsLN LineLNS LInesLO LowLONG LongitudeLONGL LongitudinalLRG LargeLRGLY LargelyLRGR LargerLRGST LargestLST Local standard timeLTD LimitedLTG LightningLTGCA Lightning cloud-to-

airLTGCC Lightning cloud-to-

cloudLTGCG Lightning cloud-to-

groundLTGCCCG Lightning cloud-to-

cloud cloud-to-ground

LTGCW Lightning cloud-to-water

LTGIC Lightning in cloudLTL LittleLTLCG Little changeLTR LaterLTST LatestLV Leaving

LVL LevelLVLS LevelsLWR LowerLWRD LoweredLWRG LoweringLYR LayerLYRD LayeredLYRS LayersM Minus or Less than

lowest sensor valueMA MassachusettsMAN ManitobaMAX MaximumMB MillibarsMCD Mesoscale discus-

sionMD MarylandMDFY ModifyMDFYD ModifiedMDFYG ModifyingMDL ModelMDLS ModelsMDT ModerateMDTLY ModeratelyME MaineMED MediumMEGG MergingMESO MesoscaleMET MeteorologicalMETAR Aviation Routine

Weather ReportMETRO MetropolitanMEX MexicoMHKVLY Mohawk ValleyMI Michigan , shallow,

or mileMID MiddleMIDN MidnightMIL MilitaryMIN MinimumMIFG Shallow fogMISG Missing


MLTLVL Melting levelMN MinnesotaMNLD MainlandMNLY MainlyMO MissouriMOD ModerateMOGR Moderate or greaterMOS Model Output

StatisticsMOV MoveMOVD MovedMOVG MovingMOVMT MovementMOVS MovesMPH Miles per hourMRGL MarginalMRGLLY MarginallyMRNG MorningMRTM MaritimeMS MississippiMSG MessageMSL Mean sea levelMST MostMSTLY MostlyMSTR MoistureMT MontanaMTN MountainMTNS MountainsMULT MultipleMULTILVL MultilevelMVFR Marginal visual

flight rulesMWO Meteorological

Watch OfficeMX Mixed (character-

ized as a combina-tion of clear and rime ice

MXD MixedN NorthN/A Not applicableNAB Not aboveNAT North Atlantic

NATL NationalNAV NavigationNAVAID Electronic naviga-

tion aid facility (lim-ited to VOR or VORTAC for PIREPs)

NB New BrunswickNBND NorthboundNBRHD NeighborhoodNC North CarolinaNCDC National Climatic

Data CenterNCEP National Center of

Environmental Prediction

NCO NCEP Central Operations

NCWX No change in weather

ND North DakotaNE NortheastNEB NebraskaNEC NecessaryNEG NegativeNEGLY NegativelyNELY NortheasterlyNERN NortheasternNEWD NortheastwardNEW ENG New EnglandNFLD NewfoundlandNGM Nested grid modelNGT NightNH New HampshireNHC National Hurricane

CenterNIL NoneNJ New JerseyNL No layersNLT Not later thanNLY NortherlyNM New MexicoNMBR NumberNMBRS Numbers


NMC National Meteorological Center

NML NormalNMRS NumerousNNE North-northeastNNELY North-northeasterlyNNERN North-northeasternNNEWD North-northeast-

wardNNW North-northwestNNWLY North-northwesterlyNNWRN North-northwesternNNWWD North-northwest-

wardNNNN End of messageNOAA National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration

NOPAC Northern PacificNOS National Ocean

ServiceNOSPECI No SPECI reports

are taken at stationNPRS NonpersistentNR NearNRLY NearlyNRN NorthernNRW NarrowNS Nova ScotiaNSC No significant cloudNSW No significant

weatherNTFY NotifyNTFYD NotifiedNV NevadaNVA Negative vorticity

advectionNW NorthwestNWD NorthwardNWLY NorthwesterlyNWRN NorthwesternNWS National Weather

Service

NY New YorkNXT NextOAT Outside air temper -

atureOBND OutboundOBS ObservationOBSC ObscureOBSCD ObscuredOBSCG ObscuringOCFNT Occluded frontOCLD OccludeOCLDS OccludesOCLDD OccludedOCLDG OccludingOCLN OcclusionOCNL OccasionalOCNLY OccasionallyOCR OccurOCRD OccurredOCRG OccurringOCRS OccursOFC OfficeOFCM Office of the

Federal Coordinator for Meteorology

OFP Occluded frontal passage

OFSHR OffshoreOH OhioOHD OverheadOK OklahomaOMTNS Over mountainsONSHR On shoreOR OregonORGPHC OrographicORIG OriginalOSV Ocean station

vesselOTLK OutlookOTP On topOTR OtherOTRW Otherwise


OUTFLO OutflowOV OverOVC OvercastOVHD OverheadOVNGT OvernightOVR OverOVRN OverrunOVRNG OverrunningOVTK OvertakeOVTKG OvertakingOVTKS OvertakesP Higher than greatest

sensor valueP6SM Visibility forecast to

be greater than 6 statute miles

PA PennsylvaniaPAC PacificPATWAS Pilot's automatic

telephone weather answering service

PBL Planetary boundary layer

PCPN PrecipitationPD PeriodPDS PeriodsPDMT PredominantPE Ice pelletsPEN PeninsulaPERM PermanentPGTSND Puget SoundPHYS PhysicalPIBAL Pilot balloon obser-

vationPIREP Pilot weather reportPK WND Peak windPL Ice pelletsPLNS PlainsPLS PleasePLTO PlateauPM PostmeridianPNHDL Panhandle

PNO Precipitation amount not available

PO Dust/ sand swirlsPOS PositivePOSLY PositivelyPPINA Radar weather

report not availablePPINE Radar weather

report no echoes observed

PPSN Present positionPR PartialPRBL ProbablePRBLY ProbablyPRBLTY ProbabilityPRECD PrecedePRECDD PrecededPRECDG PrecedingPRECDS PrecedesPRES PressurePRESFR Pressure falling

rapidlyPRESRR Pressure rising

rapidlyPRFG Partial fogPRIM PrimaryPRIN PrincipalPRIND Present indications

are...PRJMP Pressure jumpPROB ProbabilityPROBC C Forecaster’s

assessment of the probability of occur-rence of a thunder-storm or precipita-tion event, along with associated weather elements (wind, visibility, and/or sky condi-tion) whose occur-rences are directly related to, and con-temporaneous with, the thunderstorm or precipitation event


PROC ProcedurePROD ProducePRODG ProducingPROG ForecastPROGD ForecastedPROGS ForecastsPRSNT PresentPRSNTLY PresentlyPRST PersistPRSTS PersistsPRSTNC PersistencePRSTNT PersistentPRVD ProvidePRVDD ProvidedPRVDG ProvidingPRVDS ProvidesPS PlusPSBL PossiblePSBLY PossiblyPSBLTY PossibilityPSG PassagePSN PositionPSND PositionedPTCHY PatchyPTLY PartlyPTNL PotentialPTNLY PotentiallyPTNS PortionsPUGET Puget SoundPVA Positive vorticity

advectionPVL PrevailPVLD PrevailedPVLG PrevailingPVLS PrevailsPVLT PrevalentPWB Pilot weather

briefingPWINO Precipitation identi-

fier sensor not avail-able

PWR Power

PY SprayQN QuestionQPFERD NCEP excessive

rainfall discussionQPFHSD NCEP heavy snow

discussionQPFSPD NCEP special

precipitation discus-sion

QSTNRY QuasistationaryQTR QuarterQUAD QuadrantQUE QuebecR Right (with reference

to runway designa-tion) or rain

RA Rain (METAR)RADAT Radiosonde addi-

tional dataRAOB Radiosonde obser-

vationRCA Reach Cruising

AltitudeRCH ReachRCHD ReachedRCHG ReachingRCHS ReachesRCKY RockyRCKYS RockiesRCMD RecommendRCMDD RecommendedRCMDG RecommendingRCMDS RecommendsRCRD RecordRCRDS RecordsRCV ReceiveRCVD ReceivedRCVG ReceivingRCVS ReceivesRDC ReduceRDGG RidgingRDR RadarRDVLP RedevelopRDVLPG Redeveloping


RDVLPMT RedevelopmentRE RegardRECON ReconnaissanceREF ReferenceRES ReserveREPL ReplaceREPLD ReplacedREPLG ReplacingREPLS ReplacesREQ RequestREQS RequestsREQSTD RequestedRESP ResponseRESTR RestrictRGD RaggedRGL Regional modelRGLR RegularRGN RegionRGNS RegionsRGT RightRH Relative humidityRHINO RHI not operativeRI Rhode IslandRIME Type of icing char-

acterized by a rough,milky, opaque appearance

RIOGD Rio GrandeRLBL ReliableRLTV RelativeRLTVLY RelativelyRM RemarksRMK RemarkRMN RemainRMND RemainedRMNDR RemainderRMNG RemainingRMNS RemainsRNFL RainfallRNG RangeROT RotateROTD Rotated

ROTG RotatingROTS RotatesRPD RapidRPDLY RapidlyRPLC ReplaceRPLCD ReplacedRPLCG ReplacingRPLCS ReplacesRPRT ReportRPRTD ReportedRPRTG ReportingRPRTS ReportsRPT RepeatRPTG RepeatingRPTS RepeatsRQR RequireRQRD RequiredRQRG RequiringRQRS RequiresRRx Code used in the

WMO abbreviated heading to indicate a delayed forecast, where x is the letter A through X

RS Receiver stationRSG RisingRSN ReasonRSNG ReasoningRSNS ReasonsRSTR RestrictRSTRD RestrictedRSTRG RestrictingRSTRS RestrictsRTRN ReturnRTRND ReturnedRTRNG ReturningRTRNS ReturnsRUC Rapid Update CycleRUF RoughRUFLY RoughlyRVR Runway Visual

Range


RVRNO RVR system not available

RVS ReviseRVSD RevisedRVSG RevisingRVSS RevisesRW Rain showerRWY RunwayRY RunwayS SouthSA Sand (METAR)SAB Satellite Analysis

BranchSAO Surface observationSASK SaskatchewanSATFY SatisfactorySBND SouthboundSBSD SubsideSBSDD SubsidedSBSDNC SubsidenceSBSDS SubsidesSC South Carolina or

stratocumulusSCND SecondSCNDRY SecondarySCSL Stratocumulus

standing lenticularSCT Scatter or Scattered

(describing cloud cover or weather phenomena, 3 to 4 octas cloud amount

SCTD ScatteredSCTR SectorSD South DakotaSE SoutheastSEC SecondSELY SoutheasterlySEPN SeparationSEQ SequenceSERN SoutheasternSEV SevereSEWD Southeastward

SFC SurfaceSFERICS AtmosphericsSG Snow grainsSGFNT SignificantSGFNTLY SignificantlySH ShowersSHFT ShiftSHFTD ShiftedSHFTG ShiftingSHFTS ShiftsSHLD ShieldSHLW ShallowSHRT ShortSHRTLY ShortlySHRTWV ShortwaveSHUD ShouldSHWR ShowerSIERNEV Sierra NevadaSIG SignatureSIGMET Significant meteoro-

logical informationSIMUL SimultaneousSK Sky coverSKC Sky clearSKED ScheduleSLD SolidSLGT SlightSLGTLY SlightlySLO SlowSLOLY SlowlySLOR SlowerSLP Slope or sea level

pressureSLPG SlopingSLPNO Sea-level pressure

not availableSLT SleetSLW SlowSLY SoutherlySM Statute mileSMK SmokeSML Small


SMLR SmallerSMRY SummarySMS Sunchronous mete-

orological satelliteSMTH SmoothSMTHR SmootherSMTHST SmoothestSMTM SometimeSMWHT SomewhatSN Snow SNBNK SnowbankSND SandSNFLK SnowflakeSNGL SingleSNOINCR Snow increaseSNOINCRG Snow increasingSNST SunsetSNW SnowSNWFL SnowfallSOP Standard operating

procedureSP Snow pelletsSPC Storm Prediction

CenterSPCLY EspeciallySPD SpeedSPECI Special observationSPENES Satellite precip.

estimate statementSPKL SprinkleSPLNS Southern PlainsSPRD SpreadSPRDG SpreadingSPRDS SpreadsSPRL SpiralSQ SquallSQAL SquallSQLN Squall lineSR SunriseSRN SouthernSRND SurroundSRNDD Surrounded

SRNDG SurroundingSRNDS SurroundsSS Sunset or sand

storm (METAR)SSE South-southeastSSELY South-southeasterlySSERN South-southeasternSSEWD South-southeastwardSSW South-southwestSSWLY South-southwesterlySSWRN South-southwesternSSWWD South-southwest-

wardST StratusSTAGN StagnationSTBL StableSTBLTY StabilitySTD StandardSTDY SteadySTFR Stratus fractusSTFRM StratiformSTG StrongSTGLY StronglySTGR StrongerSTGST StrongestSTLT SatelliteSTM StormSTMS StormsSTN StationSTNRY StationarySUB SubstituteSUBTRPCL SubtropicalSUF SufficientSUFLY SufficientlySUG SuggestSUGG SuggestingSUGS SuggestsSUP SupplySUPG SupplyingSUPR SuperiorSUPSD SupersedeSUPSDG Superseding


SUPSDS SupersedesSVG ServingSVR SevereSVRL SeveralSW SouthwestSW- Light snow showerSW+ Heavy snow showerSWD SouthwardSWLG SwellingSWLY SouthwesterlySWODY1 SPC Severe

Weather Outlook for Day 1

SWOMCD SPC Mesoscale discussion

SWRN SouthwesternSWWD SouthwestwardSX Stability indexSXN SectionSYNOP SynopticSYNS SynopsisSYS SystemT ThunderTA TemperatureTACAN UHF Tactical Air

Navigation AidTAF Terminal Area

ForecastTB TurbulenceTCNTL TranscontinentalTCU Towering cumulusTDA TodayTEI Text element indi-

catorTEMP TemperatureTEMPO TemporaryTHD ThunderheadTHDR ThunderTHK ThickTHKNG ThickeningTHKNS ThicknessTHKR ThickerTHKST Thickest

THN ThinTHNG ThinningTHNR ThinnerTHNST ThinnestTHR ThresholdTHRFTR ThereafterTHRU ThroughTHRUT ThroughoutTHSD ThousandTHTN ThreatenTHTND ThreatenedTHTNG ThreateningTHTNS ThreatensTIL UntilTKOF TakeoffTM TimeTMPRY TemporaryTMPRYLY TemporarilyTMW TomorrowTN TennesseeTNDCY TendencyTNDCYS TendenciesTNGT TonightTNTV TentativeTNTVLY TentativelyTOC Top of ClimbTOP Top of CloudsTOPS TopsTOVC Top of overcastTP Type of aircraftTPG ToppingTRBL TroubleTRIB TributaryTRKG TrackingTRML TerminalTRMT TerminateTRMTD TerminatedTRMTG TerminatingTRMTS TerminatesTRNSP TransportTRNSPG Transporting


TROF TroughTROFS TroughsTROP TropopauseTRPCD Tropical continental

air massTRPCL TropicalTRRN TerrainTRSN TransitionTRW ThunderstormTRW+ Thunderstorm with

heavy rain showerTS Thunderstorm

(METAR)TS + Thunderstorm with

heavy snowTSFR TransferTSFRD TransferredTSFRG TransferringTSFRS TransfersTSHWR ThundershowerTSNO Thunderstorm infor-

mation not availableTSNT TransientTSQLS ThundersquallTSTM ThunderstormTSW Thunderstorm with

snow showersTSW+ Thunderstorm with

heavy snow showersTURBC TurbulenceTURBT TurbulentTWD TowardTWDS TowardsTWI TwilightTWR TowerTWRG ToweringTX TexasUA Pilot weather reportsUDDF Up- and downdraftsUN UnableUNAVBL UnavailableUNEC UnnecessaryUNKN Unknown

UNL UnlimitedUNRELBL UnreliableUNRSTD UnrestrictedUNSATFY UnsatisfactoryUNSBL UnseasonableUNSTBL UnstableUNSTDY UnsteadyUNSTL UnsettleUNSTLD UnsettledUNUSBL UnusableUP Unknown precipita-

tion (used only by automated sites incapable of discrimi-nation)

UPDFTS Updrafts UPR UpperUPSLP UpslopeUPSTRM UpstreamURG UrgentUSBL UsableUT UtahUTC Universal Time

CoordinateUUA Urgent PIREP

Weather ReportsUVV Upward vertical

velocityUWNDS Upper windsV VariesVA Virginia or Volcanic

Ash VAAC Volcanic Ash

Advisory CenterVAAS Volcanic Ash

Advisory StatementVAD Velocity azimuth

displayVAL ValleyVARN VariationVC VicinityVCNTY VicinityVCOT VFR conditions on

top


VCTR VectorVCTS Thunderstorms in

the vicinityVDUC VAS Data Utilization

Center (NSSFC)VFR Visual flight rulesVFY VerifyVFYD VerifiedVFYG VerifyingVFYS VerifiesVHF Very High FrequencyVIS VisibilityVSNO Visibility at second-

ary location not avail-able

VLCTY VelocityVLCTYS VelocitiesVLNT ViolentVLNTLY ViolentlyVLY ValleyVMC Visual meteorolog-

ical conditionsVOL VolumeVOR VHF

Omnidirectional Radio Range

VORT VorticityVORTAC VOR and TACAN

combinationVR VeerVRB VariableVRG VeeringVRBL VariableVRISL Vancouver Island,BCVRS VeersVRT MOTN Vertical motionVRY VeryVSB VisibleVSBY VisibilityVSBYDR Visibility decreasing

rapidlyVSBYIR Visibility increasing

rapidlyVT Vermont

VV Vertical velocity or vertical visibility

VWP VAD Wind profilerW WestWA WashingtonWAA Warm air advectionWAFS Word Area Forecast

SystemWBND WestboundWDLY WidelyWDSPRD WidespreadWEA WeatherWFO Weather Forecast

OfficeWFSO Weather Forecast

Service OfficeWFP Warm front passageWI WisconsinWIBIS Will be issuedWINT WinterWK WeakWKDAY WeekdayWKEND WeekendWKNG WeakeningWKNS WeakensWKR WeakerWKST WeakestWKN WeakenWL WillWLY WesterlyWMO World Meteorological

OrganizationWND WindWNDS WindsWNW West-northwestWNWLY West-northwesterlyWNWRN West-northwesternWNWWD West-northwest-

wardWO WithoutWPLTO Western PlateauWRM WarmWRMG Warming


WRMR WarmerWRMST WarmestWRMFNT Warm frontWRMFNTL Warm frontalWRN WesternWRNG WarningWRS WorseWS Wind shearWSHFT WindshiftWSFO Weather Service

Forecast OfficeWSO Weather service

officeWSR-88D NWS Doppler

RadarWSTCH Wasatch RangeWSW West-southwestWSWLY West-southwesterlyWSWRN West-southwesternWSWWD West-southwest-

wardWTR WaterWTSPT WaterspoutWUD WouldWV West Virginia or windWVS WavesWW Severe weather

watchWWAMKC SPC status reportWWD WestwardWWS Severe weather

watchesWX WeatherWY WyomingXCP ExceptXPC ExpectXPCD ExpectedXPCG ExpectingXPCS ExpectsXPLOS ExplosiveXTND ExtendXTNDD ExtendedXTNDG Extending

XTRM ExtremeXTRMLY ExtremelyYDA YesterdayYKN YukonYLSTN YellowstoneZ Zulu timeZL Freezing drizzleZN ZoneZNS ZonesZR Freezing rain

Appendix BRev 1 Oct. 2003 B-1

APPENDIX B

INFLIGHT ADVISORY LOCATOR CHARTS

East Sector Identifier Map

B-2Rev 1 Oct. 2003 Appendix B

East Sector Location Identifiers


Central Sector Identifier Map


Central Sector Location Identifiers


West Sector Identifier Map


West Sector Location Identifiers


Aviation Area Forecasts FA Locations for AIRMETs/SIGMETs

Honeywell International Inc.One Technology Center23500 West 105th StreetOlathe, Kansas 66061FAX 913-791-1302Telephone: (913) 712-0400

Copyright ©2001, 2003 Honeywell International Inc.All rights reserved.

006-18274-0000Rev. 1 10/03 N

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