WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION GUIDE TO PRACTICES FOR METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES SERVING AVIATION Second edition WMO-No. 732 Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization -Geneva- Switzerland 2003 © 2003, World Meteorological Organization ISBN 92-63-12732-8 NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organization concerning the legal status of any country, tenitory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or.boundaries. CONTENTS Page Foreword ............................................... , . vii Chapter 1 - General • . • • . • • • • . • • • • • • .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. • . .. .. .. .. .. 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 1.2 International standards and recommended practices ................................................. 1.3 National and local agreements . 2 1.4 Liason with users . 2 Chapter 2-Functions of meteorological offices serving aviation • • • • • . • . • . • . • • • • • • . • • • . • . • . • . • . 3 2.1 Observing and monitoring of meteorological conditions at the aerodrome . .. 3 2.1.1 General . 3 2.1.2 Meteorological elements affecting aircraft operations in the terminal area . 3 2.1.3 Observational techniques and practices . 3 2.1.4 Integrated automatic observing systems . 5 2. 1.5 Inspection and maintenance of instruments and equipment . 5 2.1.6 Meteorological observations and reports at aerodromes . 5 2. 1.6.1 Observations and reports . 5 2.1.6.2 The importance of meteorological observations and reports . 5 2.1.6.3 Categories of observations and reports . 6 2.1.6.4 The meteorological observer . 6 2. 1.6.5 Meteorological instrumentation . 6 2.1.7 Observing, reporting and coding procedures . 7 2.1.7.1 General . 7 2.1.7.2 Observing practice . 7 2.1.7.3 Observing schedule............................................................... 8 2.1.7.4 Content of report................................................................. 8 2.1.8 Display and dissemination of reports . 8 2.1.8.1 Reports disseminated locally . 8 2.1.8.2 Reports disseminated beyond the aerodrome . 8 2. 1.9 Quality control of observations and reports . 9 2.1.9.1 General considerations . 9 2.1.9.2 Quality-control procedures . 9 2.1.10 Monitoring of transmissions and broadcasts . 10 2.1.11 Importance of weather information . 10 2.2 Observing and monitoring of meteorological conditions within specific areas . 10 2.2.1 General provisions . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 2.2.2 Meteorological observing networks . 10 2.2.2.1 Synoptic stations . 10 2.2.2.2 Aeronautical meteorological stations . .. .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.2.3 Automatic stations . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.2.4 Auxiliary observing stations . .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.2.5 Radiosonde stations . 11 2.2.2.6 Meteorological radar stations . .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.3 Use of weather radar information .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.3.1 General . 11 2.2.3.2 Wavelength . .. .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.3.3 Radar display . .. .. .. .. .. 11 2.2.3.4 Networks . 11 22.3.5~~~ar ................................................................... 12 iv GUIDE TO PRACTICES FOR METEOROLOGICAL OFFICES SERVING AVIATION Page 2.2.4 Use of satellite information . 12 2.2.5 Use of aircraft reports (AIREPs, ASDAR and AMDAR) . 12 2.3 Forecasting meteorological conditions at the aerodrome . 13 2.3.1 Review of requirements . 13 2.3.2 Principal techniques of forecasting local conditions . 13 2.3.3 Preparation of aerodrome forecasts, take-off and landing forecasts and aerodrome warnings . 14 2.3.3.1 Aerodrome forecasts.............................................................. 14 2.3.3.2 Forecasts for take-off . 14 2.3.3.3 Forecasts for landing . 15 2.3.3.4 Aerodrome warnings . 15 2.3.3.5 Wind shear warnings . 15 2.3.4 Display and dissemination offorecasts . .. .. 15 2.3.4.1 Display and distribution on the aerodrome . .. 15 2.3.4.2 Distribution beyond the aerodrome . 15 2.3.4.3 VOLMET broadcasts and data link VOLMET (D-VOLMET) . 16 2.3 .5 Monitoring of transmissions and broadcasts . 16 2.3.6 Verification of aerodrome forecasts . .. .. .. 16 2.3.6.1 General considerations . ..