Understanding Weather Reports

WEATHER FORECAST FREQUENCY AND VALID TIMES

Weather is a constantly changing variable.  Here's just a little brush up on some of the weather reports to keep you in the know with the most update weather information:

     
      

            AREA FORECAST (FA) [Issued 3 time per day]

1.     Header

2.     Precautionary Statements

3.     Synopsis–valid for 18hrs

4.     Clouds/WX–valid for 12 hours

5.     Outlook-valid for an additional 6 hours after the first 12

            AIRMETS [Issued every 6 hours, valid for 6 hours]

·      Tango: Moderate turbulence, low-level wind shear, surface winds 30+ knots

·      Sierra: IFR conditions, mountain obscuration

·      Zulu: Moderate icing, freezing levels

            SIGMETS [Issued as needed, valid for 4 hours]

·      Volcanic Ash

·      Dust/sand storm

·      Sever icing

·      Severe turbulence

·      Clear air turbulence

·      Hurricane

CONVECTIVE SIGMETS [Issued hourly (55minutes past the hour), valid for 2 hours]

                        Surface winds greater than or equal to 50kts

                        Hail greater than or equal to ¾ inch in diameter

                        Embedded thunderstorms

                        A line of thunderstorms (squall line)

                        Tornados

                        Storms covering 40% or more of a 3000 square mile area

Hope this helps!!!  Check out Duat.com for access to weather reports, and always remember to get a full briefing before flying!