Weather Phenomena and Conditions

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Questions and Answers

What could lead to inaccuracies in weather forecasts?

The complexity of mathematical models taking into account hundreds of thousands of variables.

What is the wind condition reported in the METAR report?

160° true direction, at 30 knots gusting to 34 knots.

What should a pilot request if there is a delay of 90 minutes?

Delay briefing.

What options does a pilot have to check forecasted weather at the destination airport during a flight?

Listen to the AWOS; contact a Flight Service Station; use an electronic display. Signup and view all the answers

What atmospheric conditions lead to the formation of fog?

Fog forms when the air just above the ground cools to the dew point, causing the air to become saturated with moisture. Signup and view all the answers

What types of airports are categorized as General Aviation Airports?

General Aviation Airports, Commercial-Service Airports, Reliever Airports, Cargo-Service Airports. Signup and view all the answers

What does flashing green lights from a control tower indicate to a pilot?

Return for landing. Signup and view all the answers

What are the effects of wind on aircraft performance?

Wind may cause turbulence; a tailwind may increase an aircraft's speed across the ground; a strong headwind can increase fuel consumption. Signup and view all the answers

Why do jet engines operate efficiently at the top of the troposphere?

Jet engines run efficiently in the cooler temperatures at the top of the troposphere; higher temperatures could cause engine failure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the airspace classification of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport?

Class C. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the dashed magenta line located about 15 NM east of KMSP?

It marks the beginning of Class E airspace. Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic cause of all weather phenomena?

The basic cause of all weather is the uneven heating of the earth’s surface. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to an air mass as it moves over warm water?

As a continental polar air mass moves over warm water, the air near the surface becomes warmer and gains moisture. Signup and view all the answers

What flight instruction does a pilot receive when looking out the left window at 9 o'clock?

They are looking towards the west. Signup and view all the answers

How does a transponder aid in communication with ATC?

It sends a 4-digit code along with aircraft position, speed, and altitude. Signup and view all the answers

What do radar images indicate in terms of weather measurement?

Radar images provide information on precipitation intensity. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of clouds are typically associated with strong weather conditions?

Towering cumulonimbus clouds are a likely indication of a cold front and strong weather. Signup and view all the answers

What is virga and what does it indicate?

Virga is rain that evaporates before reaching the ground, which may precede a microburst. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weather Phenomena and Conditions

Weather phenomena are caused by proximity to mountains, oceans, and air mass movement.
Low-pressure areas cause converging, rising air.
The atmosphere is an envelope of gases surrounding Earth.
Convection is a demonstrated atmospheric process.
Fog forms when air cools to the dew point, becoming saturated with moisture.
Turbulence during flight is most likely caused by wind.
Stratocumulus clouds are a type of cloud.
Conditions prior to a cold front include high dew point, rain, and falling pressure.
Continental polar air masses warm and gain moisture over warm water.
Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to shape or motion change.
Jets operate within the troposphere for efficient engine performance; lower temperatures above could cause failure.
Turbulence intensities are classified as light, moderate, severe, and extreme.
Radar indicates a squall line.
Microburst performance increases as an aircraft enters it.
Uneven Earth heating is the basic cause of weather.
Virga is rain evaporating before hitting the ground, potentially preceding a microburst.
Wind impacts flight by influencing turbulence, ground speed, fuel consumption, and control effectiveness.
Towering cumulonimbus clouds with strong weather indicate a cold front.
Radar images show precipitation intensity.
Weather forecasts predict future weather, sometimes being inaccurate due to complex mathematical models and numerous variables.

Airport Information and Procedures

METAR wind data is true direction, speed, and gusts.
The airport experiences light rain showers.
A Cessna 172 reported a PIREP.
Broken clouds are present from 4,500 to 7,000 feet (PIREP).
TAF was published on the 4th at 2320z.
TAF wind was 220 degrees at 12 knots.
An outlook briefing is for information 6+ hours in advance.
A delay briefing is requested if a departure is delayed by 90 minutes.
Preflight phone briefings require departure and destination airport info.
Pilots can access destination weather via AWOS, Flight Service Station (122.2 MHz), and cockpit displays.
Airport categories include General Aviation, Commercial Service, Reliever, and Cargo Service.
ATIS is used during preflight planning, before taxi.

Runway and Airport Information

Runway length is 3,000 feet (sign).
The sign indicates a takeoff holding light.
Most midair collisions occur in good daytime weather.
Burbank Airport has a visual approach slope indicator.
Runway 08 has medium intensity lights.
Runway 22 and a left-hand traffic pattern are used for landing.
All runways (18, 36, 22) are usable for takeoff with calm wind.
A plane on the left side of an image is on the final leg of the traffic pattern.
Flashing green lights indicate return for landing.
Looking directly out the left window means 9 o'clock direction.
Transponders transmit aircraft data to radar.

Airport Specifics (Birmingham-Shuttlesworth and Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport runways are hard-surfaced & over 1,500 ft.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth airspace is Class C.
An obstruction is 4,600 feet MSL, northeast of KBHM and west of Trussville.
Minneapolis-St. Paul airspace is Class B.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Tower frequency is 123.95 MHz.
15 NM east of KMSP, a dashed magenta line marks the beginning of Class E airspace.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of weather phenomena in this quiz. Dive into topics such as atmospheric processes, cloud types, and conditions associated with air masses and turbulence. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact to shape our weather patterns.