LAWRS Study Guide Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

If wind direction must be estimated, which of the following aids can be used? (Select all that apply)

  • Smoke (correct)
  • Barometer
  • Leaves (correct)
  • Wind cones (correct)

How would moderate snow and blowing snow be encoded?

SN BLSN

How would heavy rain and light drizzle be encoded?

+RADZ

How would shallow fog be encoded?

<p>MIFG</p> Signup and view all the answers

Non-surfaced based layers are encoded in hundreds of feet ____ using 3 digits.

<p>Above ground</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the reportable prevailing visibility when visibility values vary between 2, 3, and 4 statute miles?

<p>3sm</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sector visibility is encoded in column ____ of the MF1M-10C.

<p>14</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of multiple layers?

<p>The existence of a layer or layers above a lower layer</p> Signup and view all the answers

What wind speed is required to define a wind shift?

<p>10 knots</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would a temperature of 10 and a missing dew point be encoded for transmission in an observation?

<p>10/</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would thunderstorms southeast through southwest of the observation location be encoded?

<p>TS SE-SW</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would be the best way to encode a thunderstorm that began at 1515z and ended at 1534z in an observation?

<p>TSB15E34</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step to determining the altimeter when using a mercurial barometer?

<p>Determine the station pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would a thunderstorm that began at 0307z and ended at 0328z be encoded?

<p>TSB07E28</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would frequent lightning from cloud-to-ground and cloud to air in the vicinity of the observation location be encoded?

<p>FRQ LTGCGCA VC</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of observation is required when a wind shift occurs?

<p>SPECI</p> Signup and view all the answers

What instrument is used to measure temperature?

<p>Thermometer</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would an altimeter reading of 29.95 inches of mercury be encoded?

<p>2995</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of writing instrument should an observer use when filling out the MF1M-10C?

<p>A black-ink, fine ball-point pen</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would a moderate dust storm be encoded for transmission in an observation?

<p>DS</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would heavy freezing drizzle be encoded for transmission in an observation?

<p>+FZDZ</p> Signup and view all the answers

If you determined the observed prevailing visibility to be 2 7/8sm, what visibility would be reported on the MF1M-10C?

<p>2 3/4sm</p> Signup and view all the answers

When the visibility is not the same around the horizon circle, it is said to be ____.

<p>Non-uniform</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would the wind speed of 20 knots be encoded in column 4?

<p>20</p> Signup and view all the answers

Tower visibility observations must be taken when reported surface and/or tower prevailing visibility is less than ____ statute miles.

<p>4</p> Signup and view all the answers

Temperature is the degree of ____ of the ambient air as measured by any suitable instrument.

<p>hotness or coldness</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sector visibility follows ____ visibility in the remarks section.

<p>variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of hail (GR)?

<p>Balls or other pieces of ice with diameters greater than 0.2 inches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not used to measure pressure?

<p>Thermometer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would frequent lightning from cloud-to-ground and cloud to air in the vicinity of the observation location be encoded?

<p>FRQ LTGCGCA VC</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is a cumulonimbus cloud located to the north of the observation location and moving south encoded?

<p>CB N MOV S</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contraction is used to denote 5/8 to 7/8 of sky covered by clouds?

<p>BKN (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of snow (SN)?

<p>Snow crystals mostly branched in the form of six-pointed stars.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the latest time that a METAR observation can occur?

<p>45min past the hour</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Wind Direction Estimation

Wind direction can be estimated visually using objects like wind cones, leaves, and smoke.

Moderate Snow and Blowing Snow Codes

Moderate snow and blowing snow are represented by the codes 'SN BLSN' in weather reports.

Heavy Rain and Light Drizzle Codes

Heavy rain is encoded as '+RADZ', while light drizzle is denoted as 'RADZ' in weather reports.

Shallow Fog Code

Shallow fog is represented by the code 'MIFG' in weather reports.

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Encoding Non-Surface Layers

Non-surface based layers are encoded using 3-digit numbers representing hundreds of feet above ground level.

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Prevailing Visibility Reporting

Prevailing visibility is reported using the abbreviation 'sm' after the value in statute miles, e.g., 3 statute miles is reported as '3sm'.

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Sector Visibility Encoding

Sector visibility is encoded in column 14 of the MF1M-10C weather report form.

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Non-Uniform Visibility

Non-uniform visibility indicates inconsistent visibility around the horizon.

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Tower Visibility Reporting

Tower visibility is reported when surface visibility is less than 4 statute miles.

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Wind Shift Definition

Wind shifts are defined as changes of 45 degrees or more in wind direction within 15 minutes, accompanied by sustained speeds of 10 knots or more.

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Tornado and Smoke Codes

Tornadoes are reported using the code '+FC', while smoke is denoted as 'FU' in weather reports.

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Heavy Freezing Drizzle and Dust Storm Codes

Heavy freezing drizzle is encoded as '+FZDZ', and moderate dust storms are represented by 'DS' in weather reports.

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Special Observation Conditions

Special observations are required when significant changes occur in weather conditions, like a ceiling lower than 1,000 feet or visibility below certain thresholds.

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Light Freezing Rain Ending

Light freezing rain ending is considered a special observation due to its potential safety implications.

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Reporting Towering Clouds

Towering cumulus and cumulonimbus cloud types can be reported along with their corresponding sky cover information.

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Sky Coverage: BKN

BKN indicates a sky coverage of 5/8 to 7/8, meaning 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky is covered.

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Sky Cover Codes

Clear skies are indicated by the code 'SKC', while high cloud cover is represented by terms like 'FEW', 'SCT', and 'BKN'.

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Temperature Encoding

Temperature readings are encoded in a two-digit format, for example, 10°C as '10/' and 4.3°C as '04'.

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Altimeter Reading Encoding

Altimeter readings in inches of mercury are encoded without a decimal point, for example, 29.95 inches is encoded as '2995'.

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Continuous Lightning Definition

Continuous lightning is defined as having more than 6 flashes per minute.

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Lightning Within 5 Statute Miles

Lightning within 5 statute miles of the observation is represented by the code 'OHD'.

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Wind Speed and Gust Measurement

Wind speed and gusts are measured to the nearest whole knot, with gusts recorded when variations exceed 10 knots.

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Visibility Determination

Visibility for the body of weather reports is determined by the lower value between surface and tower observation.

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Special Observation Encoding

Special observations must be encoded with an 'S' in column 1 of the MF1M-10C form when significant weather changes occur.

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Present Weather Group Encoding

Three present weather groups can be encoded in column 9 of the weather report form.

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Dew Point Temperature

Dew point temperature represents the atmospheric moisture content.

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Total Obscuration

Total obscuration refers to a complete blockage of visibility (8/8) due to surface-based obstructions.

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Study Notes

Weather Observation Encoding

  • Wind direction aids include wind cones, leaves, and smoke for estimation.
  • Moderate snow and blowing snow encoded as SN BLSN.
  • Heavy rain is encoded as +RADZ, while light drizzle is denoted as RADZ.
  • Shallow fog is represented by MIFG.
  • Non-surface based layers are encoded in hundreds of feet above ground using 3-digit numbers.

Visibility Reporting

  • Prevailing visibility determined from varying values (e.g., 2, 3, 4 statute miles) is reported as 3sm.
  • Sector visibility encoded in column 14 of the MF1M-10C.
  • Non-uniform visibility indicates inconsistency around the horizon.
  • Tower visibility is reported when surface visibility is less than 4 statute miles.

Weather Conditions and Intensity

  • Wind shifts defined as a change of 45 degrees or more within 15 minutes at sustained speeds of 10 knots or more.
  • Reporting tornadoes requires the contraction +FC, whereas smoke is denoted as FU.
  • Heavy freezing drizzle encoded as +FZDZ, and moderate dust storms as DS.

Special Observations

  • Special observations are required when significant changes occur, such as a ceiling less than 1,000 feet or visibility below certain thresholds.
  • Light freezing rain ending warrants a special observation due to its implications on safety.

Cloud and Sky Cover

  • Towering cumulus and cumulonimbus cloud types can be reported with sky cover information.
  • Sky coverage denoted as BKN corresponds to 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky covered.
  • Clear skies are indicated with SKC, while high cloud cover is signified by specific terms like FEW, SCT, and BKN.

Temperature and Pressure Encoding

  • Temperature readings are encoded in two-digit format, e.g., 10°C as 10/ and 4.3°C as 04.
  • Altimeter readings in inches of mercury are encoded without a decimal, e.g., 29.95 inches as 2995.

Lightning Conditions

  • Frequency of lightning is categorized, with continuous lightning requiring more than 6 flashes per minute.
  • Lightning within 5 statute miles of the observation is represented by OHD.

General Measurement Notes

  • Wind speed and gusts are measured to the nearest whole knot with gusts recorded when variations exceed 10 knots.
  • Visibility for the body of reports is determined by the lower value between surface and tower observation.

Observational Methods

  • Special observations must be encoded as S in column 1 of the MF1M-10C when significant weather changes occur.
  • Three present weather groups can be encoded in column 9, with variable visibility following the main visibility report in remarks.

Additional Definitions

  • Dew point temperature measures atmospheric moisture.
  • Total obscuration signifies complete blockage (8/8) due to surface-based obstructions.

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Description

This quiz consists of flashcards designed to help you study the LAWRS (Low Altitude Weather Reporting System) definitions and encodings. Each card features specific weather conditions and their respective codes, aiding in the comprehension of meteorological terms and encoding. Perfect for students and professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of weather reporting.

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