Aviation Weather

As you embark on your journey towards becoming a skilled pilot, one of the most critical areas you'll need to master is aviation weather. Weather plays a pivotal role in every aspect of flying and is a subject that demands both your respect and attention. Understanding weather patterns, interpreting forecasts, and making informed decisions based on this knowledge are integral skills for any pilot, regardless of experience level. In the realm of aviation, weather is not just about a sunny or cloudy day; it encompasses a wide range of atmospheric phenomena, each with its own impact on flight operations. From visibility concerns and cloud formations to wind patterns and air pressure systems, every weather element has the potential to affect your flight plan significantly. Below resources will offer you a foundational grasp of vital aviation weather reports such as METAR, TAF, and PIREP, crucial for developing your situational awareness and decision-making skills in the skies.

METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report)

  • Definition: A METAR is a standardized report of current weather conditions at an airport or airfield, updated every hour.
  • Sample METAR: "METAR KGGG 161753Z AUTO 14021G26KT 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN008 OVC012CB 18/17 A2970 RMK PRESFR"
  • Decoding Basics:
    1. Type of Report: "METAR"
      1. This indicates whether the report is METAR (which is transmitted on a regular interval) or SPECI (which is a special report).
    2. Station Identifier: "KGGG"
      1. Based on the ICAO code, this indicates the report comes from East Texas Regional Airport. Contiguous U.S. airport identifiers start with 'K' while Alaska identifiers begin with 'PA' and Hawaii identifiers begin with 'PH'.
    3. Date and Time: "161753Z"
      1. "16" is the day of the month.
      2. "1753Z" is the time of the report in Zulu (UTC) time, here it's 17:53 UTC.
    4. Modifier: "AUTO"
      1. Modifier “AUTO” indicates the report was generated automatically without human intervention. When the modifier “COR” is used, it identifies a corrected report sent out to replace an earlier report that contained an error.
    5. Wind: "14021G26KT"
      1. "140" indicates the wind is coming from 140 degrees, which is true north (not magnetic north).
      2. "21" denotes a wind speed of 21 knots.
      3. "G26" means there are gusts up to 26 knots.
      4. "KT" stands for knots.
    6. Visibility: "3/4SM"
      1. "3/4SM" means the visibility is three-quarters of a statute mile.
    7. Weather: "+TSRA BR"
      1. "+TSRA" means heavy thunderstorm with rain
      2. "BR" means mist is present, indicating fine particles of water in the air that reduce visibility.
    8. Sky Condition: "BKN008 OVC012CB"
      1. "BKN008" – There are broken clouds at 800 feet above ground level.
      2. "OVC012CB" – An overcast cloud layer with cumulonimbus clouds at 1,200 feet above ground level, indicating the potential for severe weather.
    9. Temperature/Dew Point: "18/17"
      1. "18/17" – The temperature is 18°C, and the dew point is 17°C, which is a high relative humidity, indicating the possibility of precipitation.
    10. Altimeter: "A2970"
      1. "A2970" indicates the altimeter setting is 29.70 inches of mercury.
    11. Remarks: "RMK PRESFR"
      1. "RMK" means remarks section.
      2. "PRESFR" Pressure is falling rapidly, which could indicate that the weather conditions may change soon, often associated with the approach of a frontal system and potentially worsening weather conditions.
  • Reference: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), Chapter 13: Aviation Weather Services
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