DOCSLIB.ORG

METAR and TAF Weather Reports

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
METAR and TAF Weather Reports METAR and TAF Weather Reports Weather Identifiers: B - Began FC, +FC Funnel HZ Haze SA Sand BC Patches Cloud, IC Ice Crystals SG Snow Grains BL Blowing Well-Developed MI Shallow SH Showers BR Mist Funnel Cloud PE Ice Pellets SN Snow DR Low Drifting Tornado or PO Well-Developed SQ Squalls Moderate DS Dust storm Waterspout Dust/Sand Whirls SS Sandstorm DU Dust FG Fog PR Partial TS Thunderstorm DZ Drizzle FU Smoke PY Spray UP Unknown E - Ended FZ Freezing RA Rain Precipitation GR Hail (>5mm) VA Volcanic Ash GS Small Hail / Snow VC In the Vicinity Pellets (<5mm) Modifiers: - Light + Heavy P More than M Less than B Began E Ended Sky Conditions: BKN – Broken cloud layer 5/8ths to 7/8ths OVC – Overcast cloud layer 8/8ths coverage CB – Cumulonimbus SCT – Scattered cloud layer 3/8ths to 4/8ths CLR – Sky clear at or below 12,000AGL SKC – Sky Clear FEW – Few cloud layer 0/8ths to 2/8ths TCU – Towering Cumulus Other: A01 – Automated Observation without PROB40 – Probability of 40% precipitation discrimination R04 – Runway 4 A02 – Automated Observation with RMK – Remarks precipitation discrimination RWY – Runway A3000 – Altimeter setting 30.00” RVRNO – Runway Visual Range not available AMD – Amended forecast SFC VIS – Surface Visibility AUTO – without human editing SLP – Sea Level Pressure, add 10 to numbers BECMG – Becoming… BECMG 0002 = given becoming 00 to 02 Zulu SLPNO – Sea Level Pressure not available CAVU – Ceiling and visibility unlimited SM – Statute miles COR – Correction SPECI – Special Report DSNT – Distant weather phenomenon TEMPO – Temporarily… TEMPO 0002 = FM – From… FM0200 = from 0200 Zulu Temporarily 00 to 02 Zulu FROPA – Frontal Passage T02560179 – Temperature 25.6 dew point 17.9 LDG – Landing TWR VIS – Tower Visibility M – Minus, below zero, “less than” V – Varying NO – Not available VRB – Variable NSW – No significant weather VRB VIS – Variable Visibility P6SM – Plus 6 Statute Miles, greater than, VV – Vertical Visibility, indefinite ceiling “more than” WS – Wind shear PK WND – Peak Wind WSHFT - Wind shift PRESFR/PRESRR – Pressure Falling or Rising Rapidly Encoded Groups: Area Forecast Weather Reports A GEOREF - Geographical RLBL - Reliable AAF - Army Air Field reference REPL - Replace AAL - above aerodrome level GF - Ground fog REPLD - Replaced AATM - at all times GICG - Glaze icing REPLG - Replacing ABD – aboard GLFALSK - Gulf of Alaska REPLS - Replaces ABNDT - abundant GLFCAL - Gulf of California REQ - Request ABNML - abnormal GLFMEX - Gulf of Mexico REQS - Requests ABT - about GLFSTLAWR - Gulf of St. REQSTD - Requested ABV - above Lawrence RESP - Response AC - altocumulus GND - Ground RESTR - Restrict ACARS - Aircraft GNDFG - Ground fog RGD - Ragged communication addressing & GRAD - Gradient RGLR - Regular reporting system GRDL - Gradual RGN - Region ACCUM - accumulate GRDLY - Gradually RGNS - Regions ACFT - aircraft GRT - Great RH - Relative Humidity ACK - acknowledge GRTLY - Greatly RIOGD - Rio Grande ACL - altimeter check GRTR - Greater RLTV - Relative location GRTST - Greatest RLTVLY - Relativily ACLD - above clouds GRTLKS - Great Lakes RMN - Remain ACLT - accelerate GSTS - Gusts RMND - Remained ACPT - accept GSTY - Gusty RMNDR - Remainder ACR - air carrier GV - Ground visibility RMNG - Remaining ACRBT - acrobatic RMNS - Remains ACRS - across H RNFL - Rainfall ACSL - standing lenticular HAZ - Hazard ROT - Rotate altocumulus HCVIS - High clouds visible ROTD - Rotated ACT - active or activated or HDFRZ - Hard freeze ROTG - Rotating activity HDSVLY - Hudson Valley ROTS - Rotates ACTG - acting HDWND - Head wind RPD - Rapid ACTV - active HGT - Height RPDLY - Rapidly ACTVT - activate HI - High RPLC - Replace ACYC - anticyclonic HIER - Higher RPLCD - Replaced ADA - advisory area HIFOR - High level forecast RPLCG - Replacing ADDN - addition HLF - Half RPLCS - Replaces ADF - automatic direction HLTP - Hilltop RPRT - Report finder HLSTO - Hailstones RPRTD - Reported ADIZ - air defense HLYR - Haze layer aloft RPRTG - Reporting identification zone HND - Hundred RPRTS - Reports ADJ - adjacent HR - Hour RPT - Repeat ADQT - adequate HRS - Hours RPTG - Repeating ADRNDCK - adirondack HRZN - Horizon RPTS - Repeats ADV - advise HTG - Heating RQR - Require ADVCTN - advection HURCN - Hurricane RQRD - Required ADVN - advance HUREP - Hurricane report RQRG - Requiring ADVY - advisory HV - Have RQRS - Requires ADVZY - advisory HVY - Heavy RS - Receiver station AFB - Air Force Base HVYR - Heavier RSG - Rising AFCT - affect HVYST - Heaviest RSN - Reason AFD - Airport/Facility HWVR - However RSNG - Reasoning Directory HWY - Highway RSNS - Reasons AFDK - after dark RSTR - Restrict AFSS - Automated Flight I RSTRD - Restricted Service Station IA - Iowa RSTRG - Restricting AFT - after IC - Ice RSTRS - Restricts AFTN - afternoon ICG - Icing RTRN - Return AGL - above ground level ICGIC - Icing in clouds RTRND - Returned AHD - ahead ICGIP - Icing in RTRNG - Returning AIM - Aeronautical precipitation RTRNS - Returns Information Manual ID - Idaho RUF - Rough AIRMET - Airmen's IL - Illinois RUFLY - Roughly Meteorological Information IMDT - Immediate RVS - Revise ALF - aloft IMDTLY - Immediately RVSD - Revised ALG - along IMPL - Impulse RVSG - Revising ALGHNY - Allegheny IMPLS - Impulses RVSS - Revises ALNMT - alignment IMPT - Important RW - Rain shower ALQDS - all quadrants INCL - Include ALS - approach light system INCLD - Included S ALSEC - all sectors INCLG - Including S - South ALSF-1 - standard 2400' INCLS - Includes SA - Surface observation high-intensity approach INCR - Increase SAO - Surface observation lighting system with INCRD - Increased SAOS - Surface observations sequenced flashers (Category INCRG - Increasing SASK - Saskatchewan I configuration) INCRGLY - Increasingly SATFY - Satisfactory ALSF-2 - standard 2400' INCRS - Increases SBND - South bound high-intensity approach INDC - Indicate SBSD - Subside lighting system with INDCD - Indicated SBSDD - Subsided sequenced flashers (Category INDCG - Indicating SBSDNC - Subsidence II configuration) INDCS - Indicates SBSDS - Subsides ALSTG - altimeter setting INDEF - Indefinite SC - South Carolina ALT - altitude INFO - Information SCND - Second ALTA - Alberta INLD - Inland SCNDRY - Secondary ALTM - altimeter INSTBY - Instability SCSL - Standing lenticular ALTN - alternate INTCNTL - Intercontinental stratocumulus ALUTN - Aleutian INTL - International SCT - Scatter AM - ante meridiem INTMD - Intermediate SCTD - Scattered AMS - air mass INTMT - Intermittent SCTR - Sector AMSL - above mean sea INTMTLY - Intermittently SD - South Dakota level INTR - Interior SE - Southeast ANCPT - anticipate INTRMTRGN - SEC - Second ANLYS - analysis Intermountain region SELS - Severe Local Storms AO1 - ASOS automated INTS - Intense Unit observation without INTSFCN - Intensification SELY - Southeasterly recipitation discriminator INTSFY - Intensify SEPN - Separation (rain/snow) INTSFYD - Intensified SEQ - Sequence AO2 - ASOS automated INTSFYG - Intensifying SERN - Southeastern observation with precipitation INTSFYS - Intensifies SEWD -Southeastward discriminator (rain/snow) INTSTY - Intensity SFC - Surface AOA - at or above INTVL - Interval SFERICS - Atmospherics AOB - at or below INVRN - Inversion SG - Snow grains AOE - airport of entry IOVC - In overcast SGFNT - Significant APCH - approach INVOF - In vicinity of SGFNTLY - Significantly APL - airport lights IP - Ice pellets SHFT - Shift APLCN - Appalachian IPV - Improve SHFTD - Shifted APN - Apron IPVG - Improving SHFTG - Shifting APRNT - apparent IR - Infrared SHFTS - Shifts APROP - appropriate ISOL - Isolate SHLD - Shield APRX - approximate ISOLD - Isolated SHLW - Shallow ARB - Air Reserve Base SHRT - Short ARFOR - area forecast J SHRTLY - Shortly ARINC - Aeronautical Radio, JCTN - Junction SHRTWV - Shortwave Incorporated JTSTR - Jet stream SHRTWVS - Shortwaves ARND - around SHUD - Should ARTC - air route traffic K SHWR - Shower control KFRST - Killing frost SHWRS - Showers ARTCC - Air Route Traffic KLYR - Smoke layer aloft SIERNEV - Sierra Nevada Control Center KOCTY - Smoke over city SIG - Signature AS - altostratus KS - Kansas SIGMET - Significant ASAP - as soon as possible KT - Knots meteorological information ASDA - accelerate-stop KY - Kentucky SIMUL - Simultaneous distance available SKC - Sky clear ASL - above sea level SKED - Schedule L ASOS - automated surface SLD - Solid LA - Louisiana observing system SLGT - Slight LABRDR - Labrador ASPH - asphalt SLGTLY - Slightly LAT - Latitude ATA - actual time of arrival SLO - Slow LCL - Local ATIS - automatic terminal SLOLY - Slowly LCLY - Locally information service SLOR - Slower LCTD - Located ATLC - Atlantic SLP - Slope LCTN - Location AURBO - Aurora Borealis SLPG - Sloping LCTMP - Little change in AUTH - authorized SLT - Sleet temperature AUTO - automatic SLY - Southerly LEVEL - Level AVG - average SM - Statute mile LFM - Limited Fine Mesh AVGAS - aviation gasoline SMK - Smoke Model AWOS - automatic weather SML - Small LFTG - Lifting observing/reporting system SMLR - Smaller LGRNG - Long range AWY - airway SMRY - Summary LGT - Light AZM - azimuth SMS - Synchronus LGTR - Lighter meteorological satellite LGWV - Long wave SMTH - Smooth B LI - Lifted Index SMTHR - Smoother BACLIN - Baroclinic LIS - Lifted indices SMTHST - Smoothest BAJA - Baja California LK - Lake SMTM - Sometime BATROP - Barotropic LKS - Lakes SMWHT - Somewhat BC - British Columbia LKLY - Likely SNBNK - Snow bank BCH - Beach LLJ - Low Level Jet SND - Sand BCKG - Backing LLWS - Low Level Wind SNFLK - Snow flake BCM - Become Shear SNGL - Single
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Frequency Plan, 2004
    BOTSWANA RADIO FREQUENCY PLAN, 2004 . Botswana Radio Frequency Plan, 2004 Published on 16 April 2004. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1 PRELIMINARY 1. Introduction. 2. Definitions. 3. Interpretation of Table of Frequency Allocations. Part II TABLE OF FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS 4. Table of Frequency Allocations. 5. ITU Radio Regulations Footnotes National Radio Frequency Plan 2004 Page 1 BOTSWANA RADIO FREQUENCY PLAN, 2004 . PART 1 - PRELIMINARY 1. Introduction The basis for the Botswana Radio Frequency Band Plan is Section 43 of the Telecommunications Act, 1996 [No. 15 of 1996] and Article 5 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations. The ITU Radio Regulations are annexed to the ITU Convention and are revised by the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference, normally held every three years. The Botswana frequency allocations are broadly in consonance with the ITU requirements for Region 1, within which Botswana falls under 2. Definitions In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, “Act” refers to the Telecommunications Act No. 15 of 1996. “Administration” means a government or public authority of a country that is responsible for giving effect to the obligations of the country as a member of International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Botswana Telecommunication Authority (BTA) is the Botswana administration. “Additional Allocation” means an allocation, in the form of Footnote, which is added in this area or in this country to the services or services which are indicated in Table of Frequency allocation. “Aeronautical Mobile Service” a mobile service between aeronautical stations and aircraft stations, or between aircraft stations, in which survival craft stations may participate; emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service on designated distress and emergency frequencies.
    [Show full text]
  • AMOFSG/10-Sod 19/6/13
    AMOFSG/10-SoD 19/6/13 AERODROME METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATION AND FORECAST STUDY GROUP (AMOFSG) TENTH MEETING Montréal, 17 to 19 June 2013 SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS 1. HISTORICAL 1.1 The tenth meeting of the Aerodrome Meteorological Observation and Forecast Study Group (AMOFSG) was held at the Headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montréal, Canada, 17 to 19 June 2013. 1.2 The meeting was opened by Mr. Greg Brock, Chief of the Meteorology Section of the Air Navigation Bureau of ICAO, who extended a warm welcome to all the participants. Mr. Brock emphasized that this tenth meeting of the AMOFSG was likely to be the last of the group prior to the convening of an ICAO Meteorology (MET) Divisional Meeting in July 2014, to be held in part conjointly with the Fifteenth Session of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM-XV). For this reason, Mr. Brock underlined the need for the group to work efficiently during its three days of deliberations, with a strong emphasis placed on determining whether proposals arising from each of the topics to be addressed were of sufficient maturity so as to reduce or eliminate entirely the need for significant further work and/or a meeting ahead of the MET Divisional Meeting. 1.3 The names and contact details of the participants are listed in Appendix A . Mr. Bill Maynard was elected Chairman of the meeting. The meeting was served by the Acting Secretary of the AMOFSG, Mr. Greg Brock, Chief, Meteorology Section. 1.4 The meeting considered the following agenda items: Agenda Item 1: Opening of the meeting; Agenda Item 2: Election of Chairman; Agenda Item 3: Adoption of working arrangements; Agenda Item 4: Adoption of the agenda; (41 pages) AMOFSG.10.SoD.en.docx AMOFSG/10-SoD - 2 - Agenda Item 5: Aerodrome observations; Agenda Item 6: Forecasting at the aerodrome and in the terminal area and ATIS requirements; Agenda Item 7: Deliverables; Agenda Item 8: Any other business; and Agenda Item 9: Closure of the meeting.
    [Show full text]
  • Imet-4 Radiosonde 403 Mhz GPS Synoptic
    iMet-4 Radiosonde 403 MHz GPS Synoptic Technical Data Sheet Temperature and Humidity Radiosonde Data Transmission The iMet-4 measures air temperature with a The iMet-4 radiosonde can transmit to an small glass bead thermistor. Its small size effective range of over 250 km*. minimizes effects caused by long and short- wave radiation and ensures fast response times. A 6 kHz peak-to-peak FM transmission maximizes efficiency and makes more channels The humidity sensor is a thin-film capacitive available for operational use. Seven frequency polymer that responds directly to relative selections are pre-programmed - with custom humidity. The sensor incorporates a temperature programming available. sensor to minimize errors caused by solar heating. Calibration Pressure and Height The iMet-4’s temperature and humidity sensors are calibrated using NIST traceable references to As recommended by GRUAN3, the iMet-4 is yield the highest data quality. equipped with a pressure sensor to calculate height at lower levels in the atmosphere. Once Benefits the radiosonde reaches the optimal height, pressure is derived using GPS altitude combined • Superior PTU performance with temperature and humidity data. • Lightweight, compact design • No assembly or recalibration required The pressure sensor facilitates the use of the • GRUAN3 qualified (pending) sonde in field campaigns where a calibrated • Status LED indicates transmit frequency barometer is not available to establish an selection and 3-D GPS solution accurate ground observation for GPS-derived • Simple one-button user interface pressure. For synoptic use, the sensor is bias adjusted at ground level. Winds Data from the radiosonde's GPS receiver is used to calculate wind speed and direction.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison Between GPS Radio Occultation and Radiosonde Sounding Data
    Comparison Between GPS Radio Occultation and Radiosonde Sounding Data Dione Rossiter Academic Affiliation, Fall 2003: Senior University of California, Berkeley SOARS® Summer 2003 Science Research Mentors: Christian Rocken, Bill Kuo, and Bill Schreiner Writing and Communications Mentor: David Gochis Community Mentor: Annette Lampert Peer Mentor: Pauline Datulayta ABSTRACT Global Positioning System (GPS) Radio Occultation (RO) is a new technique for obtaining profiles of atmospheric properties, specifically: refractivity, temperature, pressure, water vapor pressure in the neutral atmosphere, and electron density in the ionosphere. The data received from GPS RO contribute significant amounts of information to a range of fields including meteorology, climate, ionospheric research, geodesy, and gravity. Low-Earth orbiting satellites, equipped with a GPS receiver, track GPS radio signals as they set or rise behind the Earth. Since GPS signals are refracted (delayed and bent) by the Earth's atmosphere, these data are used to infer information about atmospheric refractivity. Before the GPS RO data are used for research and operations, it is essential to assess their accuracy. Therefore, this research provided quantitative estimates of the accuracy of GPS RO when compared with measurements of known accuracy. Profile statistics (mean, standard deviation, standard error) were computed as a function of altitude to quantify the errors. Comparing RO data with nearby (300km; 2hr) radiosonde data yielded small mean error for all of the statistical plots generated, affirming that the RO technique is accurate for measuring atmospheric properties. Comparison of RO data with sounding data from different radiosonde systems showed that the RO technique was of high enough accuracy to differentiate differences in performance of various types of radiosonde systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Aerodrome Actual Weather – METAR Decode
    Aerodrome Actual Weather – METAR decode Code element Example Decode Notes 1 Identification METAR — Meteorological Airfield Report, SPECI — selected special (not from UK civil METAR or SPECI METAR METAR aerodromes) Location indicator EGLL London Heathrow Station four-letter indicator 'ten twenty Zulu on the Date/Time 291020Z 29th' AUTO Metars will only be disseminated when an aerodrome is closed or at H24 aerodromes, A fully automated where the accredited met. observer is on duty break overnight. Users are reminded that reports AUTO report with no human of visibility, present weather and cloud from automated systems should be treated with caution intervention due to the limitations of the sensors themselves and the spatial area sampled by the sensors. 2 Wind 'three one zero Wind degrees, fifteen knots, Max only given if >= 10KT greater than the mean. VRB = variable. 00000KT = calm. 31015G27KT direction/speed max twenty seven Wind direction is given in degrees true. knots' 'varying between two Extreme direction 280V350 eight zero and three Variation given in clockwise direction, but only when mean speed is greater than 3 KT. variance five zero degrees' 3 Visibility 'three thousand two Prevailing visibility 3200 0000 = 'less than 50 metres' 9999 = 'ten kilometres or more'. No direction is required. hundred metres' Minimum visibility 'Twelve hundred The minimum visibility is also included alongside the prevailing visibility when the visibility in one (in addition to the 1200SW metres to the south- direction, which is not the prevailing visibility, is less than 1500 metres or less than 50% of the prevailing visibility west' prevailing visibility. A direction is also added as one of the eight points of the compass.
    [Show full text]
  • GPS-Based Measurement of Height and Pressure with Vaisala Radiosonde RS41
    GPS-Based Measurement of Height and Pressure with Vaisala Radiosonde RS41 WHITE PAPER Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Executive Summary of Measurement Performance ............................................................................. 5 CHAPTER 2 GPS Technology in the Vaisala Radiosonde RS41 ........................................................................................... 6 Radiosonde GPS Receiver .................................................................................................................. 6 Local GPS Receiver .......................................................................................................................... 6 Calculation Algorithms ..................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 3 GPS-Based Measurement Methods ............................................................................................................... 7 Height Measurement ......................................................................................................................... 7 Pressure Measurement ..................................................................................................................... 7 Measurement Accuracy..................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER
    [Show full text]
  • METAR/SPECI Reporting Changes for Snow Pellets (GS) and Hail (GR)
    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION N JO 7900.11 NOTICE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Effective Date: Air Traffic Organization Policy September 1, 2018 Cancellation Date: September 1, 2019 SUBJ: METAR/SPECI Reporting Changes for Snow Pellets (GS) and Hail (GR) 1. Purpose of this Notice. This Notice coincides with a revision to the Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH-1) that was effective on November 30, 2017. The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM) approved the changes to the reporting requirements of small hail and snow pellets in weather observations (METAR/SPECI) to assist commercial operators in deicing operations. 2. Audience. This order applies to all FAA and FAA-contract weather observers, Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Stations (LAWRS) personnel, and Non-Federal Observation (NF- OBS) Program personnel. 3. Where can I Find This Notice? This order is available on the FAA Web site at http://faa.gov/air_traffic/publications and http://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices/. 4. Cancellation. This notice will be cancelled with the publication of the next available change to FAA Order 7900.5D. 5. Procedures/Responsibilities/Action. This Notice amends the following paragraphs and tables in FAA Order 7900.5. Table 3-2: Remarks Section of Observation Remarks Section of Observation Element Paragraph Brief Description METAR SPECI Volcanic eruptions must be reported whenever first noted. Pre-eruption activity must not be reported. (Use Volcanic Eruptions 14.20 X X PIREPs to report pre-eruption activity.) Encode volcanic eruptions as described in Chapter 14. Distribution: Electronic 1 Initiated By: AJT-2 09/01/2018 N JO 7900.11 Remarks Section of Observation Element Paragraph Brief Description METAR SPECI Whenever tornadoes, funnel clouds, or waterspouts begin, are in progress, end, or disappear from sight, the event should be described directly after the "RMK" element.
    [Show full text]
  • KMD 550/850 Multi-Function Display Flight Information Services (FIS) Pilot’S Guide Addendum
    N B KMD 550/850 Multi-Function Display Flight Information Services (FIS) Pilot’s Guide Addendum For Software Version 02/02 and later Revision 6 Feb/2009 006-18237-0000 The information contained in this manual is for reference use only. If any information contained herein conflicts with similar information contained in the Airplane Flight Manual Supplement, the information in the Airplane Flight Manual Supplement shall take precedence. WARNING The enclosed technical data is eligible for export under License Designation NLR and 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, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication or any portion thereof by any means without the express written permission of Honeywell International Inc. is prohibited. For further information contact the Manager, Technical Publications; Honeywell, One Technology Center, 23500 West 105th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061. Telephone: (913) 782-0400. Revision History Manual KMD 550/850 Flight Information Services (FIS) Pilot’s Guide Addendum Revision 6, February 2009 Part Number 006-18237-0000 Summary Added XM products: Precipitation Type (at Surface) Freezing Levels Winds Aloft Translated Metars Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR’s) R-1 Revision History Manual KMD 550/850 Flight Information Services (FIS) Pilot’s Guide Addendum Revision 5, March 2007 Part Number 006-18237-0000 Summary Added XM Receiver functionality. R-2 Revision History Manual KMD 550/850 Flight Information Services (FIS) Pilot’s Guide Addendum Revision 4, November 2004 Part Number 006-18237-0000 Summary Add FIS Area Products (AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Convective SIGMETs and Alert Weather Watches).
    [Show full text]
  • ESSENTIALS of METEOROLOGY (7Th Ed.) GLOSSARY
    ESSENTIALS OF METEOROLOGY (7th ed.) GLOSSARY Chapter 1 Aerosols Tiny suspended solid particles (dust, smoke, etc.) or liquid droplets that enter the atmosphere from either natural or human (anthropogenic) sources, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur-containing fossil fuels, such as coal, produce sulfate aerosols. Air density The ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume occupied by it. Air density is usually expressed as g/cm3 or kg/m3. Also See Density. Air pressure The pressure exerted by the mass of air above a given point, usually expressed in millibars (mb), inches of (atmospheric mercury (Hg) or in hectopascals (hPa). pressure) Atmosphere The envelope of gases that surround a planet and are held to it by the planet's gravitational attraction. The earth's atmosphere is mainly nitrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide (CO2) A colorless, odorless gas whose concentration is about 0.039 percent (390 ppm) in a volume of air near sea level. It is a selective absorber of infrared radiation and, consequently, it is important in the earth's atmospheric greenhouse effect. Solid CO2 is called dry ice. Climate The accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events over a long period of time. Front The transition zone between two distinct air masses. Hurricane A tropical cyclone having winds in excess of 64 knots (74 mi/hr). Ionosphere An electrified region of the upper atmosphere where fairly large concentrations of ions and free electrons exist. Lapse rate The rate at which an atmospheric variable (usually temperature) decreases with height. (See Environmental lapse rate.) Mesosphere The atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere.
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of Dropsonde and Extra Radiosonde Observations During NAWDEX in Autumn 2016
    FEBRUARY 2020 S C H I N D L E R E T A L . 809 The Impact of Dropsonde and Extra Radiosonde Observations during NAWDEX in Autumn 2016 MATTHIAS SCHINDLER Meteorologisches Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat,€ Munich, Germany MARTIN WEISSMANN Hans-Ertel Centre for Weather Research, Deutscher Wetterdienst, Munich, Germany, and Institut fur€ Meteorologie und Geophysik, Universitat€ Wien, Vienna, Austria ANDREAS SCHÄFLER Institut fur€ Physik der Atmosphare,€ Deutsches Zentrum fur€ Luft- und Raumfahrt, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany GABOR RADNOTI European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Reading, United Kingdom (Manuscript received 2 May 2019, in final form 18 November 2019) ABSTRACT Dropsonde observations from three research aircraft in the North Atlantic region, as well as several hundred additionally launched radiosondes over Canada and Europe, were collected during the international North Atlantic Waveguide and Downstream Impact Experiment (NAWDEX) in autumn 2016. In addition, over 1000 dropsondes were deployed during NOAA’s Sensing Hazards with Operational Unmanned Technology (SHOUT) and Reconnaissance missions in the west Atlantic basin, supplementing the conven- tional observing network for several intensive observation periods. This unique dataset was assimilated within the framework of cycled data denial experiments for a 1-month period performed with the global model of the ECMWF. Results show a slightly reduced mean forecast error (1%–3%) over the northern Atlantic and Europe by assimilating these additional observations, with the most prominent error reductions being linked to Tropical Storm Karl, Cyclones Matthew and Nicole, and their subsequent interaction with the midlatitude waveguide. The evaluation of Forecast Sensitivity to Observation Impact (FSOI) indicates that the largest impact is due to dropsondes near tropical storms and cyclones, followed by dropsondes over the northern Atlantic and additional Canadian radiosondes.
    [Show full text]
  • Coastal Weather Program
    Commandant 2100 Second Street, S.W. United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-0001 (202) 267-1450 COMDTINST 3140.3D 13 JAN 1988 COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 3140.3D Subj: Coastal Weather Program 1. PURPOSE. To set forth policy for weather observation, reporting, and dissemination from Coast Guard shore units and offshore light stations; and, to direct the coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS) for these activities. 2. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Commandant Instruction 3140.3C is canceled. 3. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. To support the National Weather Service in conducting its federally-mandated weather forecasting and dissemination program by: a. Designating those stations and units required to report weather observations. b. Ensuring that weather reports are made in the suitable format as prescribed by the NWS. c. Ensuring that uniform and timely communication procedures and methods are used to convey this information to the NWS. d. Providing procedures for units not participating in a regular weather reporting program which may be required to make weather observations in support of NWS special programs. 4. POLICY. Title 14 Section 147 of the U.S. Code authorizes the Commandant to procure, maintain, and make available facilities and assistance for observing, investigating, and communicating weather phenomena and for disseminating weather data, forecasts and warnings in cooperation with the Director of the National Weather Service. To this end the Commandant supports a program to ensure the high quality and quantity of weather observations for NWS marine weather forecasts. The Coast Guard, as a user, depends upon high quality forecasts for our missions in the marine environment. COMDTINST 3140.3D 13 JAN 1988 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Relative Forecast Impact from Aircraft, Profiler, Rawinsonde, VAD, GPS-PW, METAR and Mesonet Observations for Hourly Assimilation in the RUC
    16.2 Relative forecast impact from aircraft, profiler, rawinsonde, VAD, GPS-PW, METAR and mesonet observations for hourly assimilation in the RUC Stan Benjamin, Brian D. Jamison, William R. Moninger, Barry Schwartz, and Thomas W. Schlatter NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, CO 1. Introduction A series of experiments was conducted using the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model/assimilation system in which various data sources were denied to assess the relative importance of the different data types for short-range (3h-12h duration) wind, temperature, and relative humidity forecasts at different vertical levels. This assessment of the value of 7 different observation data types (aircraft (AMDAR and TAMDAR), profiler, rawinsonde, VAD (velocity azimuth display) winds, GPS precipitable water, METAR, and mesonet) on short-range numerical forecasts was carried out for a 10-day period from November- December 2006. 2. Background Observation system experiments (OSEs) have been found very useful to determine the impact of particular observation types on operational NWP systems (e.g., Graham et al. 2000, Bouttier 2001, Zapotocny et al. 2002). This new study is unique in considering the effects of most of the currently assimilated high-frequency observing systems in a 1-h assimilation cycle. The previous observation impact experiments reported in Benjamin et al. (2004a) were primarily for wind profiler and only for effects on wind forecasts. This new impact study is much broader than that the previous study, now for more observation types, and for three forecast fields: wind, temperature, and moisture. Here, a set of observational sensitivity experiments (Table 1) were carried out for a recent winter period using 2007 versions of the Rapid Update Cycle assimilation system and forecast model.
    [Show full text]