Weather Briefings and Aviation Weather Reports

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to weather briefings, aviation weather reports, and the implications for pilots.

Weather Briefing

A compilation of weather conditions that pilots should gather prior to flight, including information from online resources or Flight Service.

Standard Weather Briefing

A comprehensive briefing issued within 6 hours of flight, covering adverse conditions, current weather, forecasts, NOTAMs, and more.

Abbreviated Weather Briefing

A shortened version of a standard briefing, requested for updated specific weather information after a departure delay.

Outlook Weather Briefing

A forecast requested for a planned departure that is 6 or more hours away, providing limited initial forecast information.

METAR

Aviation Routine Weather Report issued every hour, providing observed weather at the airport.

SPECI

A non-routine weather report issued only when significant changes occur before the next hourly METAR.

TAF

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, a concise statement expected meteorological conditions for aviation, valid for 24 to 30 hours.

AIRMET

Aviation Weather Advisory issued every 6 hours, valid for 6 hours, alerting pilots to less severe weather conditions.

Sigmet

An urgent weather advisory issued for conditions such as severe turbulence or icing, valid for up to 4 hours.

Convective Sigmet

A advisory issued for severe thunderstorms and their impacts on aircraft safety, updated hourly.

CWA

Center Weather Advisory, a description of expected hazardous weather phenomena, issued when no other advisory is available.

PIREPs

Pilot Reports that provide actual weather conditions experienced by pilots during flight, used to verify forecasts and increase situational awareness.

Clear Ice

A type of ice formed by supercooled water droplets, which freeze upon contact, leading to heavy and hazardous ice on aircraft.

Rime Ice

A type of ice having a rough, opaque appearance formed when small supercooled droplets freeze immediately upon impact.

Winds and Temperature Aloft

Forecasts indicating how wind and temperature vary with altitude, important for flight planning.

Prog Chart

Surface Prognostic Charts forecast surface weather conditions and are updated several times a day.