General Observations
METAR/TAF
Surface Analysis/Station Plot
Instrumentation
Upper Air
100
This is the difference in hours between Eastern AM/PM time and Eastern Daylight Time.
What is 4 hours?
100
This observational parameter is not included in METAR/TAF coding.
What is Solar Radiation?
100
This is the temperature scale by which temperature is evaluated on a Station Plot Diagram.
What is Fahrenheit?
100
This is the standard height for all ASOS weather towers.
What is 10 m?
100
These units are measurements that are gravity dependent, used in conjuction with isobaric heights.
What are Geopotential Meters (gpm)?
200
This is why wind speed generally increases with height above the surface.
What is the absence of friction?
200
This METAR code is used for "light and variable" wind conditions.
What is VRB?
200
This station plot parameter is found on the left side of the diagram, and can come in a variety of formats.
What is Present Weather?
200
This is what the thermister sits inside of on a weather tower.
What is a Solar Shield?
200
This Upper Air phenomenon acts as a barrier between warmer and cooler temperatures.
What is the Jet Stream?
300
This unit of pressure is exactly equal to 1 millibar.
What is 1 Hecto-Pascal?
300
This Present Weather METAR coding indicates a moderate amount of precipitation.
What is ( )? (Trick question. Boom. Mic drop.)
300
This parameter is indicated on the bottom right hand side of the station plot, usually with a number and a small line of varying shapes.
What is Pressure Tendency?
300
This is the height standard at which we evaluate atmospheric humidity.
What is 2m?
300
This 500 mb parameter is indicative of negative rotation in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is Anticyclonic Vorticity?
400
This is the unit used to measure radiation.
What are Watts/m^2?
400
This is the METAR coding for Hail.
What is GR?
400
These lines represent constant values of height on a surface analysis map.
What are Isohypses?
400
This radiation instrument measures the outgoing solar radiation emitted by the Earth's surface.
What is a Pyrgeometer?
400
These are generally regions with a distinct difference in air masses, and often where troughs and low pressure systems can intensify at 700 mb.
What are Shortwave Patterns?
500
This observational parameter is diurnal; generally low during the day and high at night.
What is Relative Humidity?
500
This TAF code indicates after a certain time frame, going forward (from this point on...)
What is From (FM)?
500
This type of front generally has Southerly winds ahead of it, lower dew point values and is situated inside an area of precipitation.
What is a Cold Front?
500
This is the precipitation standard we get by melting snow and ice in the funnel of a tipping bucket precipitation gauge.
What is the Liquid Equivalent.
500
These clouds will form as a result of strong/intense vertical velocities and high relative humidity at 700 mb.
What are Cumulonimbus Clouds?
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