Aviation Weather Sources

METARS

100

The Airport Identifier (ID)

KROC 121543Z 27010KT 10SM BKN015 A3001

What is KROC?

200

The Visibility

KBUF 121543Z 18012KT 7SM -RA FEW020 12/16 

What is 7 Statute Miles (SM)?

300

Date & Time

KMIA 311143Z 09009KT 9SM SKC SCT115 30/35 

What is the 31st at 11:43am Zulu?

400

Wind Direction & Speed

KSYR 150800Z 36015G22KT 2SM +SHSN FG OVC003

What is coming from the North at 15 Knots, Gusting at 22 Knots?

500

The Cloud Ceiling

KSYR 010200Z 04003KT 3SM -DZ SCT002 OVC070 BKN119 22/27

What is Overcast at 7,000 FT.?

Clouds & Fog

100

Low level puffy clouds

What is cumulus clouds?

200

Mid level thin, layered clouds

What are altostratus clouds?

300

Cool looking Almond shaped cloud that produces terrible weather

What is Standing Lenticular Cloud?

400

Fog that forms when heat radiates from the ground, converging with cool air at night

What is radiation Fog?

500

Fog that forms as warm air moves over a moist cool surface (body of water)

What is advection fog?

Weather Briefings

100

Number to call for weather briefing

What is 1-800-WX-BRIEF?

Will accept Flight Service Station

200

The most COMPLETE weather briefing

What is the Standard Weather Briefing?

300

Website to use to get a weather briefing

What is 1800WXBRIEF.com?

400

Briefing used to get updated weather information

What is Abbreviated Briefing?

500

Briefing used to get weather information 6 hours before your departure time

What is Outlook briefing?

Terms & Abbrievations

100

KT

What is Knots?

200

Z

What is Zulu?

300

TFR

What is Temporary Flight Restriction?

400

VCTS

What is Thunderstorms in the vicinity? 

500

NOTAM

What is Notices to Airmen?

TAF

100

Time period this TAF is Valid for:

KSYR 071740Z 0718/0818 VRB05KT 6SM HZ BKN150       

FM080200 VRB03KT 6SM HZ FEW250   

FM081600 08007KT 6SM HZ BKN200

What is the 7th at 1800Z to the 8th at 1800Z (24 hours) | 0718/0818?

200

Wind Direction at 7pm Zulu:

KMCO 072047Z 0721/0824 23009KT P6SM SCT060 

FM081400 23009KT P6SM SCT040 SCT250 

FM081900 22010G16KT P6SM SCT050 SCT080

What is 220 degree/SW?

300

Cloud Ceiling at 5pm on the 12th:

KORD 122255Z 1215/1315 09009KT 2SM OVC006 

FM121700 18005KT P6SM BKN080   

FM131200 31009G17KT P6SM OVC040 BKN250  

What is 8,000 FT?

400

Weather Conditions on the 8th at 10am:

KLAX 072129Z 0721/0824 26015KT P6SM BKN015

FM072300 26015KT P6SM SCT020   

FM080200 26012KT P6SM BKN015   

FM081000 26005KT 6SM BR OVC009    

What is Mist (Baby Rain/BR)?

500

Wind Direction and Wind Speed at 11 am:

KLAS 072128Z 0721/0824 10008KT P6SM FEW120   

FM080400 22008KT P6SM SKC   

FM081100 VRB05KT P6SM SKC    

What is Variable Winds at 5 KT?