Interpreting Aviation Weather 1

INTERPRETING WEATHER INFORMATION

Interpreting Aviation Weather 2

Significant WX factors

• Low ceilings and visibility

• Wind and turbulence

• Thunderstorms

• Icing

Interpreting Aviation Weather 3

Concept of the WX briefing

• Required by FAR 91.5

• Nationwide phone

1 800 WX BRIEF

• Types of briefings– Outlook (> 6 hrs) – Standard– Abbreviated

Interpreting Aviation Weather 4

Reported WX

• Reporting System• METAR• Surface analysis• Surface aviation (SA) • WX depiction (areas

of MVFR, IFR)

• Radar summary

Interpreting Aviation Weather 5

Surface Analysis

Interpreting Aviation Weather 6

WX depiction

Interpreting Aviation Weather 7

Forecast WX

• Computer Models– Terminal Forecast

(TAF) – Area Forecast (FA) – Low level prognosis

(<18,000 feet)

– Winds aloft

Interpreting Aviation Weather 8

Report

Forecast

All those abbreviations

Interpreting Aviation Weather 9

Interpreting Aviation Weather 10

Aviation Flight Planning

Interpreting Aviation Weather 11

Interpreting Aviation Weather 12

Satellite Photos

Interpreting Aviation Weather 13

Radar Summary Report

Interpreting Aviation Weather 14

Local Radar

Interpreting Aviation Weather 15

12 Hr Prognosis

Interpreting Aviation Weather 16

Interpreting Aviation Weather 17

In-flight Advisories

• TWEBS

• Flight watch (EFAS)

• PIREPS

Interpreting Aviation Weather 18

Interpreting Aviation Weather 19

Web WX Information

• http://www.airnav.com/airport/Kabq

• http://www.navmonster.com/

• http://www.duats.com/duats.cgi

• http://www.aopa.org/members/wx/

• http://www.aopa.org/aifp/welcome.cfm

Interpreting Aviation Weather 20

Interpreting Aviation Weather 21

Interpreting Aviation Weather 22

Interpreting Aviation Weather 23

Interpreting Aviation Weather 24