Questions and Answers
What does the symbol '-' represent?
What does the symbol '+' represent?
What does the symbol '///' represent?
What does AAA refer to?
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What does AT stand for?
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What does BC refer to in meteorological terms?
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What does BECMG signify?
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What does BKN mean?
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What does BL stand for?
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What does BR denote?
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What does CAVOK mean?
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What does CB refer to?
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What does DR stand for?
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What does DZ signify?
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What does FG indicate?
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What does TS mean?
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Study Notes
METAR & TAF Abbreviations
- Abbreviations are essential in meteorological reports for concise communication of weather conditions.
- Each abbreviation serves a specific purpose, ranging from intensity indicators to descriptive terms related to visibility and weather phenomena.
Intensity Indicators
- Light intensity is denoted by a dash (-).
- Heavy intensity is indicated by a plus sign (+).
Data and Messages
- /// represents missing data.
- AAA (and sequences like AAB, AAC...) convey amended meteorological messages.
- CCA (and sequences like CCB, CCC...) indicates corrected meteorological messages.
- RRA (and sequences like RRB, RRC...) shows delayed meteorological messages.
Time Indicators
- AT specifies a specific time.
- FM indicates a change occurring from a specified time.
- TL signifies until a particular time.
Weather Conditions
- BC means patches of weather phenomena.
- BECMG denotes a becoming state in weather changes.
- BKN indicates broken clouds, featuring 5-7/8 coverage.
- OVC represents overcast skies (8/8).
- SC indicates scattered clouds (3-4/8).
Specific Weather Phenomena
- BR is for mist, while FG signifies fog.
- DR indicates low drifting phenomena.
- DU denotes widespread dust, and SA indicates sand.
- SN is used for snow and TS for thunderstorms.
- CB stands for cumulonimbus clouds, and TCU indicates towering cumulus clouds.
Precipitation Types
- DZ refers to drizzle, RA means rain, and GR denotes hail.
- SG stands for snow grains, and SH implies showers.
- PL indicates ice pellets, while VA denotes volcanic ash.
- UP signifies unidentified precipitation.
Visibility Terms
- CAVOK means ceiling and visibility are okay.
- VV indicates vertical visibility.
- NSC and NSW are used for nil significant cloud and nil significant weather, respectively.
Atmospheric Conditions
- HZ stands for haze, and FU is used for smoke.
- DS indicates dust-storm conditions, while SS signifies a sandstorm.
- SQ denotes squall, and SQL stands for squall line.
Wind Conditions
- G represents wind gusts, and WS indicates wind shear.
- NDV reflects no directional variation available, while V indicates variable wind.
Miscellaneous
- NCD stands for no clouds detected.
- MI signifies shallow conditions, and EMBD indicates embedded weather in a layer.
- FZ is for freezing conditions, and KT is the measurement unit for knots in wind speed.
Observed Hazards
- PO represents dust or sand whirls (dust devils), while DR refers to low drifting phenomena.
- Numerous abbreviations encompass various weather conditions, making METAR and TAF reports comprehensive and efficient for meteorologists.
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Description
Test your knowledge of METAR and TAF aviation weather abbreviations with these flashcards. Each card presents a specific abbreviation along with its definition, enhancing your understanding of meteorological communication in aviation. Perfect for students and professionals in meteorology or aviation.