CB stands for
cumulonimbus
; TCU stands for towering cumulus. If surface-based clouds or other surface-based obscurations (e.g., smoke, haze) are reported (i.e., cloud base is 000), then vertical visibility, where available, is also reported in hundreds of feet, following the letters, VV.
Why are Metars coded?
The METAR code
provides the direction of the wind relative to true north
, as well as the average wind speed expressed in knots. After the code that gives the direction and the average speed of the wind, another may appear in the form XXXVYYY, which indicates that the wind direction varies between XXX and YYY.
What does FU mean in a METAR?
| – = slight + = Heavy BL = Blowing | BR = Mist DR = Low Drifting DU = Widespread Dust | DZ = Drizzle FG = Fog FU = Smoke | FZ = Freezing GR = Hail HZ = Haze | IC = Ice Crystals MI = Shallow PO = Dust Devils |
|---|
What does CB stand for in weather?
These clouds are capable of producing lightning and other dangerous severe weather, such as tornadoes and hailstones.
Cumulonimbus
progress from overdeveloped cumulus congestus clouds and may further develop as part of a supercell. Cumulonimbus is abbreviated Cb.
How often are Metars issued?
Issued
every hour
, usually 55~59 past the hour. Data may be up to 15 minutes old, should not be older. Valid for 1 hour or until the next released report.
What does 9999 mean in TAF?
9999. This value represents
a visibility greater than 9000
.
meters (7 SM or more)
. The contraction CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) may be used when there is no significant weather, the visibility is 10 km or greater, and the ceilings are greater than 5,000 ft.
Is METAR AGL or ASL?
TAF’s and
METAR’s are always AGL
. Area Forecasts (FA) are always MSL unless the height is specifically tagged AGL or CIG (for “ceiling”).
Why does BR mean mist?
According to a CFI’s lesson plan on the internet, it
comes from the French word for mist, brume
.
What does TX mean in TAF?
TX – Indicator
for Maximum temperature
.
TtTt
– Temperature value in Celsius. TN – Indicator for Minimum temperature. HH – Forecast hour, i.e. the time(hour) when the temperature is expected.
What is the T at the end of a METAR?
The “0” after the “T” indicates that the
temperature and dew point are higher than 0 degrees Celsius
(a “1” will follow the “T” when the dew point temperature and /or the temperature is / are less than 0 degrees Celsius).
What is an embedded CB?
Embedded Cumulonimbus. Embedded thunderstorms (or cumulonimbus): Thunderstorms (or cumulonimbus (CB) clouds) that
are embedded in cloud layers or concealed by haze
.
What is microburst storm?
A microburst is
a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm
and is usually less than or equal to 2.5 miles in diameter. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface, and in some instances, can be life-threatening.
What is sleet and how does it form?
During precipitation formation, if temperatures are at or below freezing, 0°C (32°F), at cloud level,
water in the air freezes into ice crystals
, and the crystals stick together to make snow. … This all happens very fast, and the result is tiny ice pellets called sleet.
What distance does a METAR cover?
An automated METAR with no human supervision covers the conditions
within approximately 6 inches
of the weather station reporting it (for example, a badly positioned AWOS/ASOS station may be shielded from wind in some directions which affects what it reports).
What are SIGMETs issued for?
SIGMETs are issued (for the lower 48 states and adjacent coastal waters) for the following weather-impacted reasons:
Severe Icing
.
Severe or Extreme Turbulence
.
Dust storms and/
or sand storms lowering visibilities to less than three (3) miles.
How often is aviation TAF updated?
Routine TAFs are valid for a 24-hour period and issued
four times daily
: 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z, and are amended (updated) as conditions require.
