Meteorological Phenomena in Aviation

A special observation of weather conditions, reported outside of scheduled reporting times.

Pilot-reported observations of turbulence, including light chop, light turbulence, and moderate turbulence.

A corona discharge, appearing as a halo around aircraft parts, caused by static electricity.

A cloud of volcanic particles that can cause engine problems and impact visibility.

Weather advisories concerning thunderstorms and associated weather.

Thunderstorms that form due to rising air.

Different types of advisory, specifically tailored types of advisories for air traffic

Normally valid for 18 hours, issued 3 times daily.

Specific weather advisory for the region that covers severe icy turbulence in a specific region.

All weather is a result of heat exchange within the atmosphere.

Depends on the accuracy of initial observations and models.

Pilot reports of weather conditions.

Distance traveled by volcanic ash in 12 hours, given a wind speed of 30 knots.

Icing severity depends on temperature, liquid water content, and droplet size.

During approach, monitoring power and vertical velocity needed to maintain the glide path is essential for detecting potential wind shear.

Low-level wind shear often occurs when there's a temperature inversion.

Ice pellets during flight often indicate a cold front has passed or there are thunderstorms nearby, or freezing rain exists at high altitudes.

Frost on an airplane wing may cause a stall at lower than normal speeds.

The beginning of rain at the surface indicates the mature stage, NOT the dissipation stage, of a thunderstorm.

Being within 20 miles of a thunderstorm, even if under the anvil, is still hazardous; Hail and turbulence are a considerable risk.

Hazardous wind shear is commonly found in areas of temperature inversions and near thunderstorms.

The main hazards near thunderstorms are hail and turbulence.

The dissipating stage of a thunderstorm is primarily characterized by downdrafts.

SIGMETs warn of hazardous weather conditions affecting all aircraft types.

AIRMETs are issued every 6 hours.

Microbursts typically last no longer than 15 minutes from the initial ground impact until dissipation.

If a pilot unintentionally penetrates a thunderstorm, don't continue straight through.

A dangerous convective storm with a single, long-lasting rotating updraft.

A thunderstorm formed by surface heating, where rain falls near the updraft during the mature stage.

A thunderstorm linked to weather systems like fronts, converging winds, or troughs, with afternoon heating intensifying them.

Difference between temperature and dewpoint, used to calculate cloud base height.

Percentage of water vapor in the air.

Calculated by the formula H=((T-DP)/4.4)x1000.

Land beyond the jet's touchdown point on the runway.

A PIREP describes weather conditions, location, and aircraft involved, often using coordinates.

A wind that rises up a slope due to heating of the surface.

A wind that flows down a slope due to cooling.

Sections of an area forecast report that give important weather information.

Icing that affects engine performance, mainly by reducing airflow.

Ice buildup on aircraft surfaces due to low temperatures.

Specific weather reports for severe weather.

Low-level wind shear alert system.

Stratiform clouds form from stable moist air being lifted.

Volcanic ash becomes less dangerous over time as large particles settle.

Clouds and temperatures below freezing are indicators of icing.

Standard abbreviations for weather advisories: AIRMETS (WA), SIGMETS (WS), Convective SIGMETS (WST).

Smoke blooms can cause IMC, turbulence, toxic gases, and abrasive particulates.

Visual flight rules.

Weather advisories for tornadoes, significant thunderstorms, and hail.

Wind can be caused by fronts, obstacles, and sea breezes.

Pressure altitude is used for maintaining flight level 210.

Types of icing to be visually identified

List of 7 types of clouds

Cumulonimbus clouds indicate extreme turbulence.

Jet streams are common locations for clear-air turbulence.

Fog from frontal activity results from saturation caused by adiabatic cooling.

A weather phenomenon always associated with thunderstorms.

Loss of aerodynamic efficiency, increased drag, and decreased lift, are the most dangerous aspects of structural icing.

Clear ice forms when the air temperature is below freezing and moisture is present, on the leading edge of an airfoil.

Clouds that produce rain.

Aviation Weather Center

The lowest layer of broken clouds in a PIREP report.

Subtract the new pressure reading from the old pressure reading and multiply by 1000 to determine altitude change. Ex: From 30.30 to 29.86; 0.44 X 1000 = 440 feet lower

A graphical display of VFR and IFR weather conditions.

A weather forecast chart depicting conditions at a specific future time.

Provides a chart showing areas of thunderstorms.

24,000 feet above mean sea level.

Altimeter setting adjusted for temperature and pressure.

Heavy snow obscures the runway.

High level noise in radio receivers caused by electrical discharges from aircraft parts.

Strong winds found in thunderstorms possibly far from the precipitation area.

Intense downdrafts from thunderstorms that produce strong, often damaging winds.

A single thunderstorm cell.

Organized clusters of thunderstorms cells at different stages of their cycle.