LESSON2-AVIATION WEATHER

Every single pilot is aware of the importance of the aviation weather.Also we all know how dangerous can be for the safety of the flight the effects of the weather hazards or anomalies.Aviarion weather it´s a complex issue but in this chapter we try to cover some aspects of it.Let´s start with METAR:

An aviation routine weather report(METAR) is the weather observer´s(human or automated) interpretation of the weather conditions at a given site and time.The METAR is used by the aviation community to determine the weather conditions (VFR,MVFR.,IFR) at an airport,as well as to produce a terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF),if appropriate.

A METAR report contains the following sequence of elements in the following order:

1 Type of report

2 ICAO station identifier

3 Date and time of report

4 Modifier (as required)

5 Wind

6 Visibility

7 Runway visual range (RVR)

8 Weather

9 Sky condition

10 Temperature/dew point

11 Altimeter

12 Remarks (RMK) (as required)

Example:

METAR KGNV 221844Z 23015KT 3/4SM R28/2400FT +TSRA BKN008 OVC015CB 26/25 A2985 RMK TSB32RAB32

1 Aviation routine weather report

2 KGNV-Gainesville,FL

3 Observation taken on the 22th day at 1844 UTC or ZULU

4 Modifier omitted:i.e.,not required for this report

5 Wind 230º true at 15 KT

6 Visibility 3/4 SM

7 Runway 28,runway visual range 2,400 FT

8 Thunderstorm with heavy rain

9 Ceiling 800 FT.,broken,1,500 FT.,overcast,cumulonimbus clouds

10 Temperature 26º C,dew point 25º C

11 Altimeter 29.85

12 Remarks: Thunderstorm began at 32 min.past the hour;rain began at 32 min.past the hour.