& Manuals
N B Understanding Aviation Weather Reports WARNING The enclosed technical data is eligible for export under License Designation NLR and is to be used solely by the individual/organization to whom it is addressed. Diversion contrary to U.S. law is prohibited. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Copyright © 2001, 2003 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication or any portion thereof by any means without the express written permission of Honeywell International Inc. is prohibited. For further information contact the Manager, Technical Publications; Honeywell; One Technology Center; 23500 West 105th Street; Olathe, Kansas 66061. Telephone: (913) 712-0400. TABLE OF CONTENTS UNDERSTANDING METARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 UNDERSTANDING TAFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 UNDERSTANDING PIREPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 UNDERSTANDING AIRMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 UNDERSTANDING SIGMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 UNDERSTANDING CONVECTIVE SIGMETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 UNDERSTANDING ALERT WEATHER WATCHES (AWW) . . . . . . . .14 APPENDIX A COMMON WEATHER ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . .A-1 APPENDIX B INFLIGHT ADVISORY LOCATOR CHARTS . . . . . . . .B-1 Rev 1 Oct. 2003 i This page intentionally left blank Rev 1 Oct. 2003 ii UNDERSTANDING METARS Refer to the numbers on the following diagram to find the appropriate descriptions. 12 34 5 6 7 8 METAR KPIT 201955Z AUTO 22015G25KT 3/4SM R28R/2600FT TSRA OVC010CB 18/16 A2992 RMK SLPO13 T01760158 PK WND 22030/15 9 10 11 1. Type of Report: METAR (SPECI will be seen here if this is a Special Weather Report) 2. ICAO Station Identifier: KPIT This is the location for which the METAR pertains. 3. Date and Time of Issue: 201955Z The 20th day of the month at 1955Zulu or UTC. 4. AUTO indicates the reporting station is an automated station. If the reporting station is a manned station this element will be omitted. Also, if a report from an automated station is modified by a person this element will be omitted. "COR" indicates a corrected report. 5. Wind: 22015G25KT 220 is the 3 digit true direction to the nearest 10°. Airport advisory service, ATIS and ATC towers report wind direction as magnetic. "VRB" in this place indicates variable winds less than or equal to 6 knots. If wind direction is varying more than 60° with speeds over 6 knots, an entry similar to "180V260" will be displayed in this place. This example actually shows wind direction varying by 80°. 15 is the 2 or 3 digit wind speed (in knots). 25 is the 2 or 3 digit wind gust speed in knots (KT) because it follows a G (Gust). 6. Visibility: 3/4SM R28R/2600FT 3/4 indicates 3/4 statute mile (SM) visibility. Runway Visual Range (RVR) for R28R (runway 28 right) is 2600 feet (2600FT). An "M" in this distance number indicates visibility is less than the lowest reportable sensor value. A "P" indicates visibility is greater than the highest reportable sensor value. NOTE: Only reported at those locations with certified RVR reporting capability. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 1 7. Significant Present Weather: TSRA TS is a two letter designation for thunderstorm. Other possible designations could be as follows: BC Patches BL Blowing DR Low Drifting FZ Supercooled/Freezing MI Shallow PR Partial SH Showers The second two letter designator, RA, indicates moderate rain. Moderate is indicated by the absence of a "+", "-" or "VC" preceding the designation. These preceding designations represent the following: + Heavy - Light VC In the vicinity Other possible designations could be as follows: BR Mist DS Dust Storm DU Widespread Dust DZ Drizzle FC Funnel Cloud +FC Tornado/Water Spout FG Fog FU Smoke GR Hail GS Small Hail/Snow Pellets HZ Haze IC Ice Crystals PE Ice Pellets PO Dust/Sand Whirls PY Spray SA Sand SG Snow Grains SN Snow SQ Squall SS Sandstorm UP Unknown Precipitation (Automated Observations) VA Volcanic Ash 8. Sky Condition: OVC010CB OVC indicates the sky is overcast. Cloud cover is based on the sky being divided into eighths or octas. Overcast means the sky is 8 octas covered. The cloud cover designators are as follows: SKC Sky Clear Rev 1 Oct. 2003 2 CLR Clear below 12,000 ft. (automated observing systems) FEW 1-2 Octas SCT 3-4 Octas BKN 5-7 Octas OVC 8 octas "VV" may also be encountered here indicating an indefinite ceiling. For example, VV004 would indicate a vertical visibility of 400 feet. 010 indicates clouds are at 1000 feet. CB denotes cloud type is cumulonimbus. "TCU" is another possible designator meaning towering cumulus. CI is cirrus. 9. Temperature/Dew Point: 18/16 18 indicated the temperature is 18° Celsius. An "M" preceding the temperature means the temperature is below 0° Celsius. 16 indicated the dew point is 16° Celsius. An "M" preceding the dew point means the dew point is below 0° Celsius. 10. Altimeter Setting: A2992 A indicates the setting is in inches of mercury. 2992 is the altimeter setting. The first two digits are inches and the second two are hundredths. 11. Remarks: RMK SLP013 T01760158 PK WND 22030/15 RMK designates the beginning of the remarks. Remarks can contain anything, but often include the following: SLP indicates sea level pressure in millibars from selected stations. 013 indicates pressure is 1001.3 millibars. T01760158. Selected stations may also include a 9 place code indicating temperature and dewpoint to the nearest 1/10 degree. T denotes temperature. 0 indicates temperature is above 0° Celsius. A "1" in this position indicates a temperature below 0° Celsius. 176 indicates a temperature of 17.6° Celsius. The next 0 indicates the dew point is above 0° Celsius. A "1" in this position indicates a dew point below 0° Celsius. 158 indicates a dewpoint of 15.8° Celsius. PK WND 22030/15. Selected stations may include peak wind observations which will appear in the remarks element. PK WND denotes peak wind. 200 indicates wind direction from 200°. 30/15 indicates a maximum instantaneous wind of 30 knots occurred at 15 minutes past the hour. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 3 UNDERSTANDING TAFS Refer to the numbers on the following diagram to find the appropriate descriptions. 12 3 4 5 67 8 TAF KPIT 091730Z 091818 22020KT 3SM -SHRA BKN020 FM2030 30015G25KT 3SM SHRA OVC015 WS015/30045KT 20 19 TEMPO 2022 1/2SM TSRA OVC008CB FM0100 27008KT 5SM -SHRA BKN020 OVC040 PROB40 0407 21 00000KT 1SM -RA BR 10 9 FM1000 22010KT 5SM -SHRA OVC020 BECMG 1315 20010KT P6SM NSW SKC 16 17 18 11 12 13 14 15 1. Type of Report: TAF TAF indicates a Terminal Area Forecast. TAF AMD indicates an amended forecast. 2. ICAO Station Identifier: KPIT This is the airport for which the TAF pertains. 3. Date and Time of Issue: 091730Z The 9th day of the month at 1730Zulu or UTC. 4. Date and Time Valid: 091818 The 9th day of the month, valid for 24 hours from 091800Z to 101800Z. An amended forecast (TAF AMD) will be valid for only the time interval remaining, usually less than 24 hours. 5. Forecast Wind: 22020KT See #5 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 6. Forecast Visibility: 3SM See #6 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details, except RVR is not included in a TAF 7. Forecast Weather Phenomenon: -SHRA See #7 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 8. Sky Conditions: BKN020 See #8 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 9. Beginning of Changed Forecast Conditions: FM1000 Rev 1 Oct. 2003 4 FM denotes "from" and 1000 indicates 1000Z. "From" means a significant change in prevailing conditions is expected. The described conditions follow this element and supercede all previous forecast conditions. 10. Forecast Wind: 22010KT See #5 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 11. Forecast Visibility: 5SM See #6 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 12. Forecast Weather Phenomenon: -SHRA See #7 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 13. Forecast Sky Conditions: OVC020 See #8 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 14. Change in Conditions: BECMG 1315 BECMG indicates "becoming" over the time interval between 1300Z (13) and 1500Z (15). "Becoming" describes a gradual change in forecast conditions. The described conditions follow this element and supercede previously reported like elements. 15. Wind Becoming: 20010KT See #5 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. This element may be omitted if no change is expected. 16. Visibility Becoming: P6SM See #6 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. This element may be omitted if no change is expected. 17. Weather Phenomenon Becoming: NSW NSW indicates "No Significant Weather". See #7 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. 18. Sky Conditions Becoming: SKC See #8 in the UNDERSTANDING METARs section for details. This element may be omitted if no change is expected. 19. Change in Conditions: TEMPO 2022 TEMPO indicates "temporary" changes expected as described between 2000Z (20)and 2200Z (22). "Temporary" indicates a temporary fluctuation in conditions, usually lasting less than one hour. The described conditions follow this element. 20. Low Level Windshear: WS015/30045KT WS indicates "windshear" not associated with convective activity. 015 indicates the windshear is expected at 1500 feet. AGL Wind is expected from 300° (300) at 45 knots (45KT). 21. Change in Conditions: PROB40 0407 PROB40 indicates a 40% "probability" of described conditions occurring between 0400Z (04)and 0700Z (07). The described conditions follow this element. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 5 UNDERSTANDING PIREPS The following is an example of a typical PIREP with an explanation of the elements. 12 3 KCRW UA/OV KBKW 360015-KCRW/TM 1815/FL120/TP BE99/SK IMC/ WX RA/TA M08/WV 290030/TB LGT-MDT/IC LGT RIME/RM MDT MXD ICG DURGC KROA NWBND FL080-100 1750Z 1. Station Identifier: KCRW This is the station identifier of the nearest weather reporting location to the reported conditions. 2. Report Type: UA Reports will be routine (UA) or urgent (UUA). 3. Location: OV KBKW 360015-KCRW OV indicates the report is in relation to a VOR. KBKW is the VOR identifier, in this case Beckley VOR. 360015-KCRW indicates position as related to the VOR. In this case, 15 miles out on the 360 degree radial. KCRW indicates this is a leg to the Charleston, West Virginia VOR. The next series of elements contain data that is read much like that in METARs and TAFs. Each element starts with a 2-letter designator which denotes the type of data with that element. The following defines the element designators: /TM: Time as Coordinated Universal Time /FL: Altitude as Flight Level /TP: Aircraft Type /SK: Sky Cover (may include cloud height and coverage) /WX: Weather Phenomenon (can include flight visibility, precipitation and restrictions to visibility. /TA: Outside air temperature at altitude in degrees Celsius. /WV: Wind (direction in degrees magnetic north and speed in knots) /TB: Turbulence (refer to the Airman's Information Manual) CAT - Clear Air Turbulence CHOP - Choppy Turbulence OCNL - Occasional NEG - No Turbulence ABV - Above BLO - Below Rev 1 Oct. 2003 6 LGT - Light - Momentarily causes slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude. MOD - Moderate - Greater intensity changes in altitude and/or attitude, but aircraft remains in positive control at all times. Usually causes changes in indicated airspeed. SEV - Severe - Causes large and abrupt changes to aircraft altitude and/or attitude. Large variations in indicated airspeed and momentary loss of control. EXTRM - Extreme - Aircraft is violently tossed about and is nearly impossible to control. May cause structural damage. /IC: Icing (refer to the Airman's Information Manual) CLR - Clear MX - Mixed (combination of rime and clear icing) NEG - No Icing ABV - Above BLO - Below Trace - Ice becomes perceptible. Rate of evaporation is almost equal to the rate of accumulation. Deicing/anti-icing equipment is not utilized unless encountered for a period of time greater than 1 hour. LGT - Light - Rate of accumulation may be a problem if flight is prolonged for longer than 1 hour without deicing/anti-icing equipment. Deicing/anti-icing removes and/or prevents accumulation. MOD - Moderate - The rate of accumulation is such that even short encounters become potentially hazardous. Use of deicing/anti-icing equipment or diversion is necessary. SEV - Severe - Flight diversion is necessary. Deicing/anti-icing equipment is not effective. /RM: Remarks (for reporting elements not included or to clarify previously reported items). Remarks can include anything. The example translates to "moderate (MDT) mixed (MXD) icing during climb (DURGC) from Roanoke, VA (KROA) northwestbound (NWBND) between Flight Level 080 and 100 (FL080100) at 1750Z". Rev 1 Oct. 2003 7 UNDERSTANDING AIRMETS The following is an example of a typical AIRMET with an explanation of the elements. 12 3 4 CHIT WA 151900 AMD 5 AIRMET TANGO UPDT 2 FOR TURB 6 VALID UNTIL 160100 7 AIRMET TURB...KS MO 8 FROM MCI TO STL TO SGF TO ICT TO MCI 9 MOD TURB BLW 100 EXPCD 10 CONDS IPVG AFT 160000Z 1. Forecast Area: CHIT This is the station identifier of the issuing Weather Service Forecast Office. BOS Boston CHI Chicago DFW Dallas/Ft. Worth MIA Miami SFO San Fransisco SLC Salt Lake City The T denotes the reason for the AIRMET. This could be one of the following: S Sierra IFR Ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles affecting over 50% of the area at one time or extensive mountain obscuration. T Tango Turbulence Moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or more at the surface or low level windshear. Z Zulu Icing Moderate icing and/or freezing levels. AIRMET items are considered widespread. Widespread is considered an area of at least 3,000 square miles. 2. Report Type: WA WA identifies an AIRMET. 3. Date and Time Issued: 151900 15 indicates the 15th day of the month. 1900 indicates UTC. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 8 4. AMD indicates an amended report. Reports can be amended due to changing weather conditions or issuance/cancelation of a SIGMET. COR in this field would indicate a corrected AIRMET. RTD indicates a delayed AIRMET. 5. This line indicates that there is a second (2) update (UPDT) to this AIRMET issued for turbulence (FOR TURB). More than one meteorological condition may be addressed as shown in the following: FOR IFR AND MTN (mountain) OBSCN (obscuration) FOR ICE AND FRZLVL (freezing level) FOR STG (strong) SFC (surface) WINDS AND LLWS (low level wind shear) 6. This updated AIRMET is valid until 0100 UTC on the 16th day (16) of the month. An AIRMET does not contain an explicit validity start time. 7. This AIRMET forecasts turbulence (TURB) for the states of KS (Kansas) and MO (Missouri). Geographic areas are also covered such as CSTL WTRS (coastal waters). Other geographic abbreviations are used as well (see Appendix A). 8. The affected area is defined by lines FROM MCI (Kansas City) TO STL (St. Louis) TO SGF (Springfield) TO ICT (Wichita) and back TO MCI. Areas can be defined by lines between points which are airport or navaid identifiers. 9. Moderate (MOD) turbulence (TURB) below (BLW) 10,000 feet expected (EXPCD). 10. Conditions (CONDS) improving (IPVG) after (AFT) the 16th day (16) of the month 0000 UTC. If conditions end more than one hour prior to the indicated expiration time, an amended AIRMET will be issued stating it's cancellation. If conditions end within one hour of the indicated expiration time, the AIRMET will be allowed to expire without cancellation. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 9 UNDERSTANDING SIGMETS The following is an example of a typical SIGMET issued for turbulence with an explanation of the elements. 12 3 CHIR UWS 041430 4 SIGMET ROMEO 1 VALID UNTIL 041830 5 KY TN WV VA OH 6 FROM CVG TO EKN TO PSK TO VXV TO CVG OCNL SEV TURB BTN 300 AND 360. RPRTD BY AIRCRAFT. 7 CONDS CONTG BYD 1830Z. 8 SLM/GTB 1. Forecast Area: CHIR This is the station identifier of the issuing Weather Service Forecast Office. BOS CHI DFW MIA SFO SLC Boston Chicago Dallas/Ft. Worth Miami San Fransisco Salt Lake City The R denotes report ROMEO. A new alphabetic designator is given each time a SIGMET is issued for a new weather phenomenon. The order of issuance is as follows: N NOVEMBER O OSCAR P PAPA Q QUEBEC R ROMEO U UNIFORM V VICTOR W WHISKEY X XRAY Y YANKEE SIGMETs are issued for: Severe icing not associated with thunderstorms Severe or extreme turbulence or clear air turbulence (CAT) Dust storms or sandstorms lowering visibilities to < 3 miles Volcanic ash 2. Report Type: UWS UWS indicates this is the first issuance of report ROMEO. Subsequent reports for ROMEO would display WS. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 10 3. Date and Time Issued: 041430. 04 indicates the 4th day of the month. 1430 indicates UTC. 4. This line indicates that SIGMET ROMEO 1 is VALID UNTIL the 4th day (04) of the month at 1830 UTC. Each subsequent report issued for this same weather phenomenon designated ROMEO would increment the number. For example, ROMEO 2, ROMEO 3 and so on. 5. Area of coverage by state or geographic area. In addition to state abbreviations, other area abbreviations may be seen here, such as, TX CSTL WTRS (Texas Coastal Waters). 6. Location of weather phenomenon. Three letter designators for navaids or airports are used to describe boundaries of coverage. If the weather phenomenon extends across multiple forecast areas, the location is described as if no boundaries exist. 7. Details of weather phenomenon. The example is typical of a synopsis for turbulence: OCNL (occasional) SEV (severe) TURB (turbulence) BTN (between) 300 (30,000 feet) AND 360 (36,000 feet). RPRTD (reported) BY AIRCRAFT. CONDS (conditions) CONTG (continuing) BYD (beyond 1830Z. More typical examples of descriptors used in other SIGMET weather phenomenon are as follows: MOD (moderate) TO STG (strong) UDDFS (updrafts and downdrafts) UPDFTS (updrafts) DWNDFTS (downdrafts) INVOF (in vicinity of) MTNS (mountains) BLO (below) 360 BTWN (between) FRZLVL (freezing level) AND 360 ABV (above) 360 RPRTD (reported) BY ACFT(aircraft) IN VCNTY (vicinity) RPRTD BY SVRL (several) ACFT 8. Issuers initials. If conditions end more than one half hour prior to the indicated expiration time, and the report does not state that conditions will continue, a cancellation will be issued with CNCL SIGMET as the report designator. If conditions are expected to continue, a new SIGMET will be issued. If conditions end within one half hour of the indicated expiration time, the SIGMET will be allowed to expire without cancellation. Rev 1 Oct. 2003 11 UNDERSTANDING CONVECTIVE SIGMETS The following is an example of a typical Convective SIGMET with an explanation of the elements. 1 23 MKCC WST 221855 4 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 20C 5 VALID UNTIL 2055Z 6 ND SD 7 FROM 60W MOT-GFK-ABR-90W MOT INTSFYG AREA SVR TSTMS MOVG FROM 2445. TOPS ABV FL450. 8 WIND GUSTS TO 60KT RPRTD. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2 IN...WIND GUSTS TO 65KT PSBL ND PTN. 1. Station Identifier: MKCC MKC is the station identifier of the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) in Kansas City. The C denotes the report is for the Central portion of the continental United States. The choices are as follows: C Central E East W West Convective SIGMETs are issued for: Severe weather including: (a)Surface winds 50 knots, (b) Surface hail 3/4 inch in diameter or (c) Tornadoes Embedded thunderstorms (obscured by haze or other phenomena) Line of thunderstorms Thunderstorms VIP level 4 affecting 40% of an area 3000 sq. mi. 2. Report Type: WST WST indicates this is a convective SIGMET. 3. Date and Time Issued: 221855. 22 indicates the 22nd day of the month. 1855 indicates UTC. 4. This line is the identifying number of the Convective SIGMET. Numbering begins daily at 0000 UTC. The C denotes the Central portion of the country. 5. This line indicates that CONVECTIVE SIGMET 20C is VALID UNTIL 2055Z time. Expiration time is two hours after issuance, but Convective Rev 1 Oct. 2003 12 SIGMETs are issued hourly and replace the previous hour's product. Each subsequent report issued for this same weather phenomenon would increment the number. For example, 21C, 22C and so on. 6. Area of coverage by state ND (North Dakota) and SD (South Dakota) or geographic area. In addition to state abbreviations, other area abbreviations may be seen here, such as FL CSTL WTRS (Florida Coastal Waters). 7. Location of weather phenomenon (may be an area, single cell or line). Three letter designators for navaids or airports are used to describe boundaries of coverage. The starting and ending point are identical for an area of thunderstorms, like this: FROM 90W MOT-GFK-ABR-90W MOT (from 90 nm west of Minot, ND to Grand Forks, ND to Aberdeen, SD to 90 nm west of Minot, ND). A Single Cell thunderstorm 35 nm west of Kansas City would look like this: 35WMKC A Line of severe thunderstorms would look like this: FROM 90SE SGF70NE TXK-50NE LFK (from 90 nm southeast of Springfield, MO to 70 nm northeast of Texarkana, AR to 50 nm northeast of Lufkin, TX). 8. Details of weather phenomenon. Convective SIGMET details are mostly in plain language with some abbreviations. This example is typical for an area of severe thunderstorms: INTSFYG (intensifying) AREA (of) SVR TSTMS (severe thunderstorms) MOVG (moving) FROM 2445 (240 degrees at 45 knots). Storm TOPS ABV (above) FL450 (flight level 4-5-0). WIND GUSTS TO 60KT (knots) RPRTD (reported). TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2 IN (inches in diameter)...WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT (knots) PSBL (possible) in the ND PTN (North Dakota portion). For a single cell thunderstorm: ISOLD (isolated) SVR TSTM (severe thunderstorm) D30 (30 nm in diameter) MOVG (moving) FROM 2520 (250 degrees at 20 knots). Storm TOPS ABV (above) FL450 (flight level 4-5-0). HAIL TO 2 IN (inches in diameter) WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT (knots) PSBL (possible). For a line of thunderstorms 25 nm wide: LINE (line of) SVR TSTMS (severe thunderstorms) 25 MI WIDE MOVG (moving) FROM 2745 (270 degrees at 45 knots). Storm TOPS ABV (above) FL450 (flight level 4-5-0). WIND GUSTS TO 60KT (knots) RPRTD (reported). TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2 IN (inches in diameter)...WIND GUSTS TO 65 KT (knots) PSBL (possible). Rev 1 Oct. 2003 13 UNDERSTANDING ALERT WEATHER WATCHES (AWW) The following is an example of a typical Alert Weather Watch with an explanation of the elements. 12 3 5 SPC AWW 162236 4 WW 1162 SEVERE TSTM MS AL FL AND ADJ CSTL WTRS 6 162300Z - 170400Z AXIS..75 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE.. 7 45SW MOB/MOBILE AL/ - 30SSE DHN/DOTHAN AL/ 8 ..AVIATION COORDS.. 65NM N/S /37SW MOB - 51WNW TLH/ HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 1/4 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 9 KNOTS. MAX TOPS TO 400. MEAN WIND VECTOR 23035. 1. Station Identifier: SPC SPC is the station identifier for the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. AWWs are issued for: Tornado Damaging winds or winds > 58 knots Hail 3/4 inch in diameter. 2. Report Type: AWW AWW indicates this is an Alert Weather Watch. 3. Date and Time Issued: 162236. 16 indicates the 16th day of the month. 2236 indicates UTC. 4. WW 1162 is the identifying number of the Alert Weather Watch. Numbering begins yearly at 0000. 5. This line indicates the type of weather and the affected areas. SEVERE TSTM (severe thunderstorm) for MS (Mississippi) AL (Alabama) FL (Florida) AND ADJ CSTL WTRS (adjacent coastal waters). 6. This line indicates that the watch is valid from 162300Z - 170400Z (the 16th at 2300 Zulu to the 17th at 0400 Zulu). Rev 1 Oct. 2003 14 7. Coordinates of the watch box area. Draw a line 75 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE.. The endpoints of the line are 45SSW MOB/MOBILE AL/-30SSE DHN/DOTHAN AL/ (45 miles south-southwest of Mobile, Alabama and 30 miles south-southeast of Dothan, Alabama). Connect the lines to form the box. Sometimes it might be defined as EAST AND WEST OF A LINE.. or EITHER SIDE OF A LINE.. 8. Aviation coordinates of the watch box area. Draw a line 65NM N/S / (65 nautical miles north and south) of a line). The endpoints of the line are 37SW MOB - 51WNW TLH/ (37 nautical miles southwest of Mobile, Alabama and 51 nautical miles west-northwest of Tallahassee, Florida). Connect the lines to form the box. 9. Details of the forecast weather. AWW details are mostly in plain language with some abbreviations. This is an example of a typical product. HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 1/4 INCHES (hail diameter potential of one and one quarter inches) WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS (wind gust potential of 60 knots) MAX TOPS TO 400 (maximum tops of the storms is 40,000 feet). MEAN WIND VECTOR 23035 (motion of storm is 230 degrees at 35 knots). Rev 1 Oct. 2003 15 This page intentionally left blank Rev 1 Oct. 2003 16 APPENDIX A COMMON WEATHER ABBREVIATIONS ABNDT ABNML ABT ABV AC ACC ACCAS ACFT MSHP ACCUM ACFT ACLT ACLTD ACLTG ACLTS ACPY ACRS ACSL ACTV ACTVTY ACYC ADJ ADL ADQT ADQTLY ADRNDCK ADVCT ADVCTD ADVCTG ADVCTN ADVCTS ADVN ADVNG ADVY ADVYS AFCT Abundant Abnormal About Above Convective outlook or altocumulus Altocumulus castellanus clouds Altocumulus castellanus clouds Aircraft Mishap Accumulate Aircraft Accelerate Accelerated Accelerating Accelerates Accompany Across Altocumulus standing lenticular Active Activity Anticyclone Adjacent Additional Adequate Adequately Adirondack Advect Advected Advecting Advection Advects Advance Advancing Advisory Advisories Affect AFCTD AFCTG AFDK AFOS AFSS AFT AFTN AGL AGN AGRD AGRS AGRMT AHD AIRMET AK AL ALF ALG ALGHNY ALP ALQDS ALSTG ALT ALTA ALTHO ALTM ALUTN AMD AMDD AMDG AMDT AMP AMPG AMPLTD AMS Affected Affecting After dark Automated Field Operations System Automated Flight Service Station After Afternoon Above ground level Again Agreed Agrees Agreement Ahead Airman's Meteorological Information Alaska Alabama Aloft Along Allegheny Airport Location Point All quadrants Altimeter setting Altitude Alberta Although Altimeter Aleutian Amend Amended Amending Amendment Amplify Amplifying Amplitude Air mass Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-1 Appendix A AMT ANLYS ANS AO1 AO2 AOA AOB AP APCH APCHG APCHS APLCN APLCNS APPR APPRG APPRS APRNT APRNTLY APRX APRXLY AR ARL ARND ARPT ASAP ASL ASMD ASOS ASSOCD ASSOCN ATCT ATLC ATTM ATTN AUTO AVBL AVG AVN Amount Analysis Answer Automated Reporting Station Automated Reporting Station At or above At or below Anomalous Propagation Approach Approaching Approaches Appalachian Appalachians Appear Appearing Appears Apparent Apparently Approximate Approximately Arkansas Air Resources Lab Around Airport As soon as possible Above Sea Level As Amended Automated Surface Observing System Associated Association Air Traffic Control Tower Atlantic At this time Attention Automated report Available Average Aviation model AWC AWIPS AWOS AWT AWW AZ AZM B BACLIN BAJA BATROP BC BCFG BCH BCKG BCM BCMG BCMS BD BDA BDRY BECMG BFDK BFR BGN BGNG BGNS BHND BINOVC BKN BL BLD BLDG BLDS BLDUP BLKHLS BLKT Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-2 Aviation Weather Center Advanced Interactive Weather Processing System Automated Weather Observing system Awaiting Alert Weather Watch Arizona Azimuth Began Baroclinic Baja, California Barotropic British Columbia or patches (descriptor used with FG) Patchy fog Beach Backing Become Becoming Becomes Blowing dust Bermuda Boundary Becoming Before dark Before Begin Beginning Begins Behind Breaks in overcast Broken Blowing Build Building Builds Buildup Black Hills Blanket Appendix A BLKTG BLKTS BLO BLW BLZD BN BND BNDRY BNDRYS BNTH BOOTHEEL BR BRF BRG BRK BRKG BRKHIC BRKS BRKSHR BRKSHRS BRM BRN BRS BS BTWN BWER BYD C CA CAA CAPE CARIB CAS Blanketing Blankets Below or below clouds Below Blizzard Blowing sand Bound Boundary Boundaries Beneath Bootheel Branch or mist (METAR, used only for visibility between 5/8 and 6 miles) Brief Branching Break Breaking Breaks in higher clouds Breaks Berkshire Berkshires Barometer Bulk Richardson Number Branches Blowing snow Between Bounded weak echo region Beyond Celsius California or cloudto-air lightning in PIREPs Cold air advection Convective available potential energy Caribbean Committee for Aviation Services CASCDS CAT CAVOK CAVU CB CBMAM CC CCCC CCL CCLDS CCLKWS CCSL CCx CDFNT CDFNTL CFP CG CHC CHCS CHG CHGD CHGG CHGS CHI CHINO CHOP CHSPK CI Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-3 Cascades Clear air turbulence Ceiling and visibility OK Ceiling and visibility unlimited Cumulonimbus Cumulonimbus Mammatus clouds Cirrocumulus Generic WMO format code group for a four-letter location identifier Convective condensation level Clear of clouds Counterclockwise Cirrocumulus standing lenticular Code used in the WMO abbreviated heading to indicate a corrected forecast, where x is the letter A through X Cold front Cold frontal Cold front passage Cloud to ground (lightning) Chance Chances Change Changed Changing Changes Cloud-Height indicator Sky condition at secondary location not available Turbulence type characterized by rapid, rhythmic jolts Chesapeake Cirrus Appendix A CIG CIGS CIN CLD CLDNS CLDS CLKWS CLR CLRG CLRS CMPLX CNCL CNCLD CNCLG CNCLS CNDN CNTR CNTRD CNTRLN CNTRS CNTRL CNTY CNTYS CNVG CNVGG CNVGNC CNVTN CNVTV CNVTVLY CONFDC CO COMPAR COMPARG COMPARD COMPARS COMPR COMPRG COMPRD COMPRS COND CONS Ceiling Ceilings Convective inhibition Cloud Cloudiness Clouds Clockwise Clear Clearing Clears Complex Cancel Canceled Canceling Cancels Canadian Center Centered Centerline Centers Central County Counties Converge Converging Convergence Convection Convective Convectively Confidence Colorado Compare Comparing Compared Compares Compare Comparing Compared Compares Condition Continuous CONT CONTD CONTLY CONTG CONTRAILS CONTS CONTDVD CONUS COORD COR CPBL CPC CRC CRCLC CRCLN CRLC CRLN CRNR CRNRS CRS CS CSDR CSDRBL CST CSTL CT CTC CTGY CTSKLS CU CUFRA CVR CVRD CVRG CVRS CWSU CYC CYCLGN DABRK DALGT Continue Continued Continually Continuing Condensation trails Continues Continental Divide Continental U.S. Coordinate Correction Capable Climate Prediction Center Circle Circulate Circulation Circulate Circulation Corner Corners Course Cirrostratus Consider Considerable Coast Coastal Connecticut Contact Category Catskills Cumulus Cumulus fractus Cover Covered Covering Covers Center Weather Service Units Cyclonic Cyclogenesis Daybreak Daylight Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-4 Appendix A DBL DC DCR DCRD DCRG DCRGLY DCRS DE DEG DEGS DELMARVA DFCLT DFCLTY DFNT DFNTLY DFRS DFUS DGNL DGNLLY DIGG DIR DISC DISCD DISCG DISRE DISRED DISREG DKTS DLA DLAD DLT DLTD DLTG DLY DMG DMGD DMGG DMNT DMSH DMSHD Double District of Columbia Decrease Decreased Decreasing Decreasingly Decreases Delaware Degree Degrees Delaware-MarylandVirginia Difficult Difficulty Definite Definitely Differs Diffuse Diagonal Diagonally Digging Direction Discontinue Discontinued Discontinuing Disregard Disregarded Disregarding Dakotas Delay Delayed Delete Deleted Deleting Daily Damage Damaged Damaging Dominant Diminish Diminished DMSHG DMSHS DNDFTS DNS DNSLP DNSTRM DNWND DP DPND DPNG DPNS DPR DPTH DR DRDU DRFT DRFTD DRFTG DRFTS DRSA DRSN DRZL DS DSCNT DSIPT DSIPTD DSIPTG DSIPTN DSIPTS DSND DSNDG DSNDS DSNT DSTBLZ DSTBLZD DSTBLZG DSTBLZS DSTBLZN DSTC DTRT Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-5 Diminishing Diminishes Downdrafts Dense Downslope Downstream Downwind Deep Deepened Deepening Deepens Deeper Depth Low Drifting (descriptor used with DU, SA or SN Drifting dust Drift Drifted Drifting Drifts Low drifting sand Low drifting snow Drizzle Duststorm Descent Dissipate Dissipated Dissipating Dissipation Dissipates Descend Descending Descends Distant Destabilize Destabilized Destabilizing Destabilizes Destabilization Distance Deteriorate Appendix A DTRTD DTRTG DTRTS DU DURC DURD DURG DURGC DURGD DURN DVLP DVLPD DVLPG DVLPMT DVLPS DVRG DVRGG DVRGNC DVRGS DVV DWNDFTS DWPNT DWPNTS DX DZ E EBND EFCT ELNGT ELNGTD ELSW EMBD EMBDD EMERG ENCTR ENDG ENE ENELY ENERN Deteriorated Deteriorating Deteriorates Widespread dust storm During climb During descent During During climb During descent Duration Develop Developed Developing Development Develops Diverge Diverging Divergence Diverges Downward vertical velocity Downdrafts Dew point Dew points Duplex Drizzle (METAR) East Eastbound Effect Elongate Elongated Elsewhere Embedded Embedded Emergency Encounter Ending East-northeast East-northeasterly East-northeastern ENEWD ENHNC ENHNCD ENHNCG ENHNCS ENHNCMNT ENRT ENTR ERN ERY ERYR ESE ESELY ESERN ESEWD ESNTL ESTAB EST ESTS ETA ETC ETIM EVE EWD EXCLV EXCLVLY EXCP EXPC EXPCD EXPCG EXTD EXTDD EXTDG EXTDS EXTN EXTRAP EXTRAPD EXTRM EXTRMLY East-northeastward Enhance Enhanced Enhancing Enhances Enhancement Enroute Entire Eastern Early Earlier East-southeast East-southeasterly East-southeastern East-southeastward Essential Establish Estimate Estimates Estimated time of arrival or ETA model Et cetera Elapsed time Evening Eastward Exclusive Exclusively Except Expect Expected Expecting Extend Extended Extending Extends Extension Extrapolate Extrapolated Extreme Extremely Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-6 Appendix A EXTSV F FA FAH FAM FC FCST FCSTD FCSTG FCSTR FCSTS FEW FG FIBI FIG FILG FIR FIRAV FIS FIS-B FIRST FL FLG FLRY FLRYS FLT FLW FLWG FM Extensive Fahrenheit Aviation area forecast Fahrenheit Familiar Funnel cloud (+FC = Tornado or water spout) Forecast Forecasted Forecasting Forecaster Forecasts Few (used to describe cloud cover or weather phenomena, >0 octas to 2 octas cloud amount) Fog (METAR, only when visibility is less than 5/8 mile) Filed but impracticable to transmit Figure Filling Flight information region First available Flight Information Service Flight Information Service - Broadcast First observation after a break in coverage at manual station Florida or flight level Falling Flurry Flurries Flight Follow Following From FMGGgg FMT FNCTN FNT FNTL FNTS FNTGNS FNTLYS FORNN FPM FQT FQTLY FRM FRMG FRMN FROPA FROSFC FRQ FRST FRWF FRZ FRZLVL FRZN FRZG FT FTHR FU FV FVRBL FWD FYI FZ FZRANO G Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-7 From the time (UTC) indicated by GGgg. Generic WMO format code group, indicating a significant and rapid (in less than 1 hour) change to a new set of prevailing conditions Format Function Front Frontal Fronts Frontogenesis Frontolysis Forenoon Feet per minute Frequent Frequently Form Forming Formation Frontal passage Frontal surface Frequent Frost Forecast wind factor Freeze Freezing level Frozen Freezing Feet or Terminal Forecast Further Smoke Flight visibility Favorable Forward For your information Freezing Freezing rain sensor not available Gust Appendix A GA Georgia GEN General GENLY Generally GEO Geographic GEOREF Geographical reference GF Fog GICG Glaze icing GLFALSK Gulf of Alaska GLFCAL Gulf of California GLFMEX Gulf of Mexico GLFSTLAWR Gulf of St. Lawrence GND Ground GNDFG Ground fog GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GR Hail (greater than 1/4 inch in diam- eter) GRAD Gradient GRDL Gradual GRDLY Gradually GRT Great GRTLY Greatly GRTR Greater GRTST Greatest GRTLKS Great Lakes GS Small hail or snow pellets (smaller than 1/4 inch in diameter) GSTS Gusts GSTY Gusty GTS Global Telecommunication System GV Ground visibility HAZ Hazard HCVIS High clouds visible HDFRZ Hard freeze HDSVLY Hudson Valley HDWND Head wind HGT Height HI HIER HIFOR HLF HLTP HLSTO HLYR HND HPC HR HRS HRZN HTG HURCN HUREP HV HVY HVYR HVYST HWVR HWY HZ IA IC ICAO ICG ICGIC ICGICIP ICGIP ID IFR IL IMC IMDT IMDTLY IMPL IMPLS Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-8 High or Hawaii Higher High level forecast Half Hilltop Hailstones Haze layer Hundred Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Hour Hours Horizon Heating Hurricane Hurricane report Have Heavy Heavier Heaviest However Highway Haze Iowa Ice crystals or ice International Civil Aviation Organization Icing Icing in clouds Icing in clouds and in precipitation Icing in precipitation Idaho Instrument flight rules Illinois Instrument meteorolgical conditions Immediate Immediately Impulse Impulses Appendix A IMPT Important INCL Include INCLD Included INCLG Including INCLS Includes INCR Increase INCRD Increased INCRG Increasing INCRGLY Increasingly INCRS Increases INDC Indicate INDCD Indicated INDCG Indicating INDCS Indicates INDEF Indefinite INFO Information INLD Inland INSTBY Instability INTCNTL Intercontinental INTER Intermittent INTL International INTMD Intermediate INTMT Intermittent INTMTLY Intermittently INTR Interior INTRMTRGN Intermountain region INTS Intense INTSFCN Intensification INTSFY Intensify INTSFYD Intensified INTSFYG Intensifying INTSFYS Intensifies INTSTY Intensity INTVL Interval INVRN Inversion IOVC In overcast INVOF In vicinity of IP Ice pellets IPV Improve IPVG Improving IR ISOL ISOLD JCTN JTSTR KFRST KLYR KOCTY KS KT KY L LA LABRDR LAPS LAMP LAST LAT LAWRS LCL LCLY LCTD LCTN LCTMP LDG LEVEL LFM LFTG LGRNG LGT LGTR LGWV LI Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-9 Infrared Isolate Isolated Junction Jet stream Killing frost Smoke layer aloft Smoke over city Kansas Knots Kentucky Left Louisiana Labrador Local Analysis and Prediction System Local AWIPS MOS Program Last observation before a break in coverage at a manual station Latitude Limited aviation weather reporting station Local or Lifted condensation level Locally Located Location Little change in temperature Landing Level Limited fine mesh model Lifting Long-range Light Lighter Long wave Lifted Index Appendix A LIFR LIS LK LKS LKLY LLJ LLWAS LLWS LMTD LMTG LMTS LN LNS LO LONG LONGL LRG LRGLY LRGR LRGST LST LTD LTG LTGCA LTGCC LTGCG LTGCCCG LTGCW LTGIC LTL LTLCG LTR LTST LV Low instrument flight rules Lifted Indices Lake Lakes Likely Low level jet Low-level wind shear alert system Low-level wind shear Limited Limiting Limits Line LInes Low Longitude Longitudinal Large Largely Larger Largest Local standard time Limited Lightning Lightning cloud-toair Lightning cloud-tocloud Lightning cloud-toground Lightning cloud-tocloud cloud-toground Lightning cloud-towater Lightning in cloud Little Little change Later Latest Leaving LVL LVLS LWR LWRD LWRG LYR LYRD LYRS M MA MAN MAX MB MCD MD MDFY MDFYD MDFYG MDL MDLS MDT MDTLY ME MED MEGG MESO MET METAR METRO MEX MHKVLY MI MID MIDN MIL MIN MIFG MISG Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-10 Level Levels Lower Lowered Lowering Layer Layered Layers Minus or Less than lowest sensor value Massachusetts Manitoba Maximum Millibars Mesoscale discussion Maryland Modify Modified Modifying Model Models Moderate Moderately Maine Medium Merging Mesoscale Meteorological Aviation Routine Weather Report Metropolitan Mexico Mohawk Valley Michigan , shallow, or mile Middle Midnight Military Minimum Shallow fog Missing Appendix A MLTLVL MN MNLD MNLY MO MOD MOGR MOS MOV MOVD MOVG MOVMT MOVS MPH MRGL MRGLLY MRNG MRTM MS MSG MSL MST MSTLY MSTR MT MTN MTNS MULT MULTILVL MVFR MWO MX MXD N N/A NAB NAT Melting level Minnesota Mainland Mainly Missouri Moderate Moderate or greater Model Output Statistics Move Moved Moving Movement Moves Miles per hour Marginal Marginally Morning Maritime Mississippi Message Mean sea level Most Mostly Moisture Montana Mountain Mountains Multiple Multilevel Marginal visual flight rules Meteorological Watch Office Mixed (characterized as a combination of clear and rime ice Mixed North Not applicable Not above North Atlantic NATL NAV NAVAID NB NBND NBRHD NC NCDC NCEP NCO NCWX ND NE NEB NEC NEG NEGLY NELY NERN NEWD NEW ENG NFLD NGM NGT NH NHC NIL NJ NL NLT NLY NM NMBR NMBRS Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-11 National Navigation Electronic navigation aid facility (limited to VOR or VORTAC for PIREPs) New Brunswick Northbound Neighborhood North Carolina National Climatic Data Center National Center of Environmental Prediction NCEP Central Operations No change in weather North Dakota Northeast Nebraska Necessary Negative Negatively Northeasterly Northeastern Northeastward New England Newfoundland Nested grid model Night New Hampshire National Hurricane Center None New Jersey No layers Not later than Northerly New Mexico Number Numbers Appendix A NMC NML NMRS NNE NNELY NNERN NNEWD NNW NNWLY NNWRN NNWWD NNNN NOAA NOPAC NOS NOSPECI NPRS NR NRLY NRN NRW NS NSC NSW NTFY NTFYD NV NVA NW NWD NWLY NWRN NWS National Meteorological Center Normal Numerous North-northeast North-northeasterly North-northeastern North-northeastward North-northwest North-northwesterly North-northwestern North-northwestward End of message National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Northern Pacific National Ocean Service No SPECI reports are taken at station Nonpersistent Near Nearly Northern Narrow Nova Scotia No significant cloud No significant weather Notify Notified Nevada Negative vorticity advection Northwest Northward Northwesterly Northwestern National Weather Service NY NXT OAT OBND OBS OBSC OBSCD OBSCG OCFNT OCLD OCLDS OCLDD OCLDG OCLN OCNL OCNLY OCR OCRD OCRG OCRS OFC OFCM OFP OFSHR OH OHD OK OMTNS ONSHR OR ORGPHC ORIG OSV OTLK OTP OTR OTRW Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-12 New York Next Outside air temper ature Outbound Observation Obscure Obscured Obscuring Occluded front Occlude Occludes Occluded Occluding Occlusion Occasional Occasionally Occur Occurred Occurring Occurs Office Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Occluded frontal passage Offshore Ohio Overhead Oklahoma Over mountains On shore Oregon Orographic Original Ocean station vessel Outlook On top Other Otherwise Appendix A OUTFLO OV OVC OVHD OVNGT OVR OVRN OVRNG OVTK OVTKG OVTKS P P6SM PA PAC PATWAS PBL PCPN PD PDS PDMT PE PEN PERM PGTSND PHYS PIBAL PIREP PK WND PL PLNS PLS PLTO PM PNHDL Outflow Over Overcast Overhead Overnight Over Overrun Overrunning Overtake Overtaking Overtakes Higher than greatest sensor value Visibility forecast to be greater than 6 statute miles Pennsylvania Pacific Pilot's automatic telephone weather answering service Planetary boundary layer Precipitation Period Periods Predominant Ice pellets Peninsula Permanent Puget Sound Physical Pilot balloon observation Pilot weather report Peak wind Ice pellets Plains Please Plateau Postmeridian Panhandle PNO PO POS POSLY PPINA PPINE PPSN PR PRBL PRBLY PRBLTY PRECD PRECDD PRECDG PRECDS PRES PRESFR PRESRR PRFG PRIM PRIN PRIND PRJMP PROB PROBC C Precipitation amount not available Dust/ sand swirls Positive Positively Radar weather report not available Radar weather report no echoes observed Present position Partial Probable Probably Probability Precede Preceded Preceding Precedes Pressure Pressure falling rapidly Pressure rising rapidly Partial fog Primary Principal Present indications are... Pressure jump Probability Forecaster's assessment of the probability of occurrence of a thunderstorm or precipitation event, along with associated weather elements (wind, visibility, and/or sky condition) whose occurrences are directly related to, and contemporaneous with, the thunderstorm or precipitation event Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-13 Appendix A PROC PROD PRODG PROG PROGD PROGS PRSNT PRSNTLY PRST PRSTS PRSTNC PRSTNT PRVD PRVDD PRVDG PRVDS PS PSBL PSBLY PSBLTY PSG PSN PSND PTCHY PTLY PTNL PTNLY PTNS PUGET PVA PVL PVLD PVLG PVLS PVLT PWB PWINO PWR Procedure Produce Producing Forecast Forecasted Forecasts Present Presently Persist Persists Persistence Persistent Provide Provided Providing Provides Plus Possible Possibly Possibility Passage Position Positioned Patchy Partly Potential Potentially Portions Puget Sound Positive vorticity advection Prevail Prevailed Prevailing Prevails Prevalent Pilot weather briefing Precipitation identifier sensor not available Power PY QN QPFERD QPFHSD QPFSPD QSTNRY QTR QUAD QUE R RA RADAT RAOB RCA RCH RCHD RCHG RCHS RCKY RCKYS RCMD RCMDD RCMDG RCMDS RCRD RCRDS RCV RCVD RCVG RCVS RDC RDGG RDR RDVLP RDVLPG Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-14 Spray Question NCEP excessive rainfall discussion NCEP heavy snow discussion NCEP special precipitation discussion Quasistationary Quarter Quadrant Quebec Right (with reference to runway designation) or rain Rain (METAR) Radiosonde additional data Radiosonde observation Reach Cruising Altitude Reach Reached Reaching Reaches Rocky Rockies Recommend Recommended Recommending Recommends Record Records Receive Received Receiving Receives Reduce Ridging Radar Redevelop Redeveloping Appendix A RDVLPMT RE RECON REF RES REPL REPLD REPLG REPLS REQ REQS REQSTD RESP RESTR RGD RGL RGLR RGN RGNS RGT RH RHINO RI RIME RIOGD RLBL RLTV RLTVLY RM RMK RMN RMND RMNDR RMNG RMNS RNFL RNG ROT ROTD Redevelopment Regard Reconnaissance Reference Reserve Replace Replaced Replacing Replaces Request Requests Requested Response Restrict Ragged Regional model Regular Region Regions Right Relative humidity RHI not operative Rhode Island Type of icing characterized by a rough, milky, opaque appearance Rio Grande Reliable Relative Relatively Remarks Remark Remain Remained Remainder Remaining Remains Rainfall Range Rotate Rotated ROTG ROTS RPD RPDLY RPLC RPLCD RPLCG RPLCS RPRT RPRTD RPRTG RPRTS RPT RPTG RPTS RQR RQRD RQRG RQRS RRx RS RSG RSN RSNG RSNS RSTR RSTRD RSTRG RSTRS RTRN RTRND RTRNG RTRNS RUC RUF RUFLY RVR Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-15 Rotating Rotates Rapid Rapidly Replace Replaced Replacing Replaces Report Reported Reporting Reports Repeat Repeating Repeats Require Required Requiring Requires Code used in the WMO abbreviated heading to indicate a delayed forecast, where x is the letter A through X Receiver station Rising Reason Reasoning Reasons Restrict Restricted Restricting Restricts Return Returned Returning Returns Rapid Update Cycle Rough Roughly Runway Visual Range Appendix A RVRNO RVS RVSD RVSG RVSS RW RWY RY S SA SAB SAO SASK SATFY SBND SBSD SBSDD SBSDNC SBSDS SC SCND SCNDRY SCSL SCT SCTD SCTR SD SE SEC SELY SEPN SEQ SERN SEV SEWD RVR system not available Revise Revised Revising Revises Rain shower Runway Runway South Sand (METAR) Satellite Analysis Branch Surface observation Saskatchewan Satisfactory Southbound Subside Subsided Subsidence Subsides South Carolina or stratocumulus Second Secondary Stratocumulus standing lenticular Scatter or Scattered (describing cloud cover or weather phenomena, 3 to 4 octas cloud amount Scattered Sector South Dakota Southeast Second Southeasterly Separation Sequence Southeastern Severe Southeastward SFC SFERICS SG SGFNT SGFNTLY SH SHFT SHFTD SHFTG SHFTS SHLD SHLW SHRT SHRTLY SHRTWV SHUD SHWR SIERNEV SIG SIGMET SIMUL SK SKC SKED SLD SLGT SLGTLY SLO SLOLY SLOR SLP SLPG SLPNO SLT SLW SLY SM SMK SML Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-16 Surface Atmospherics Snow grains Significant Significantly Showers Shift Shifted Shifting Shifts Shield Shallow Short Shortly Shortwave Should Shower Sierra Nevada Signature Significant meteorological information Simultaneous Sky cover Sky clear Schedule Solid Slight Slightly Slow Slowly Slower Slope or sea level pressure Sloping Sea-level pressure not available Sleet Slow Southerly Statute mile Smoke Small Appendix A SMLR SMRY SMS SMTH SMTHR SMTHST SMTM SMWHT SN SNBNK SND SNFLK SNGL SNOINCR SNOINCRG SNST SNW SNWFL SOP SP SPC SPCLY SPD SPECI SPENES SPKL SPLNS SPRD SPRDG SPRDS SPRL SQ SQAL SQLN SR SRN SRND SRNDD Smaller Summary Sunchronous meteorological satellite Smooth Smoother Smoothest Sometime Somewhat Snow Snowbank Sand Snowflake Single Snow increase Snow increasing Sunset Snow Snowfall Standard operating procedure Snow pellets Storm Prediction Center Especially Speed Special observation Satellite precip. estimate statement Sprinkle Southern Plains Spread Spreading Spreads Spiral Squall Squall Squall line Sunrise Southern Surround Surrounded SRNDG SRNDS SS SSE SSELY SSERN SSEWD SSW SSWLY SSWRN SSWWD ST STAGN STBL STBLTY STD STDY STFR STFRM STG STGLY STGR STGST STLT STM STMS STN STNRY SUB SUBTRPCL SUF SUFLY SUG SUGG SUGS SUP SUPG SUPR SUPSD SUPSDG Surrounding Surrounds Sunset or sand storm (METAR) South-southeast South-southeasterly South-southeastern South-southeastward South-southwest South-southwesterly South-southwestern South-southwestward Stratus Stagnation Stable Stability Standard Steady Stratus fractus Stratiform Strong Strongly Stronger Strongest Satellite Storm Storms Station Stationary Substitute Subtropical Sufficient Sufficiently Suggest Suggesting Suggests Supply Supplying Superior Supersede Superseding Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-17 Appendix A SUPSDS SVG SVR SVRL SW SWSW+ SWD SWLG SWLY SWODY1 SWOMCD SWRN SWWD SX SXN SYNOP SYNS SYS T TA TACAN TAF TB TCNTL TCU TDA TEI TEMP TEMPO THD THDR THK THKNG THKNS THKR THKST Supersedes Serving Severe Several Southwest Light snow shower Heavy snow shower Southward Swelling Southwesterly SPC Severe Weather Outlook for Day 1 SPC Mesoscale discussion Southwestern Southwestward Stability index Section Synoptic Synopsis System Thunder Temperature UHF Tactical Air Navigation Aid Terminal Area Forecast Turbulence Transcontinental Towering cumulus Today Text element indicator Temperature Temporary Thunderhead Thunder Thick Thickening Thickness Thicker Thickest THN THNG THNR THNST THR THRFTR THRU THRUT THSD THTN THTND THTNG THTNS TIL TKOF TM TMPRY TMPRYLY TMW TN TNDCY TNDCYS TNGT TNTV TNTVLY TOC TOP TOPS TOVC TP TPG TRBL TRIB TRKG TRML TRMT TRMTD TRMTG TRMTS TRNSP TRNSPG Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-18 Thin Thinning Thinner Thinnest Threshold Thereafter Through Throughout Thousand Threaten Threatened Threatening Threatens Until Takeoff Time Temporary Temporarily Tomorrow Tennessee Tendency Tendencies Tonight Tentative Tentatively Top of Climb Top of Clouds Tops Top of overcast Type of aircraft Topping Trouble Tributary Tracking Terminal Terminate Terminated Terminating Terminates Transport Transporting Appendix A TROF TROFS TROP TRPCD TRPCL TRRN TRSN TRW TRW+ TS TS + TSFR TSFRD TSFRG TSFRS TSHWR TSNO TSNT TSQLS TSTM TSW TSW+ TURBC TURBT TWD TWDS TWI TWR TWRG TX UA UDDF UN UNAVBL UNEC UNKN Trough Troughs Tropopause Tropical continental air mass Tropical Terrain Transition Thunderstorm Thunderstorm with heavy rain shower Thunderstorm (METAR) Thunderstorm with heavy snow Transfer Transferred Transferring Transfers Thundershower Thunderstorm information not available Transient Thundersquall Thunderstorm Thunderstorm with snow showers Thunderstorm with heavy snow showers Turbulence Turbulent Toward Towards Twilight Tower Towering Texas Pilot weather reports Up- and downdrafts Unable Unavailable Unnecessary Unknown UNL UNRELBL UNRSTD UNSATFY UNSBL UNSTBL UNSTDY UNSTL UNSTLD UNUSBL UP UPDFTS UPR UPSLP UPSTRM URG USBL UT UTC UUA UVV UWNDS V VA VAAC VAAS VAD VAL VARN VC VCNTY VCOT Unlimited Unreliable Unrestricted Unsatisfactory Unseasonable Unstable Unsteady Unsettle Unsettled Unusable Unknown precipitation (used only by automated sites incapable of discrimination) Updrafts Upper Upslope Upstream Urgent Usable Utah Universal Time Coordinate Urgent PIREP Weather Reports Upward vertical velocity Upper winds Varies Virginia or Volcanic Ash Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Volcanic Ash Advisory Statement Velocity azimuth display Valley Variation Vicinity Vicinity VFR conditions on top Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-19 Appendix A VCTR VCTS VDUC VFR VFY VFYD VFYG VFYS VHF VIS VSNO VLCTY VLCTYS VLNT VLNTLY VLY VMC VOL VOR VORT VORTAC VR VRB VRG VRBL VRISL VRS VRT MOTN VRY VSB VSBY VSBYDR VSBYIR VT Vector Thunderstorms in the vicinity VAS Data Utilization Center (NSSFC) Visual flight rules Verify Verified Verifying Verifies Very High Frequency Visibility Visibility at secondary location not available Velocity Velocities Violent Violently Valley Visual meteorological conditions Volume VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range Vorticity VOR and TACAN combination Veer Variable Veering Variable Vancouver Island,BC Veers Vertical motion Very Visible Visibility Visibility decreasing rapidly Visibility increasing rapidly Vermont VV VWP W WA WAA WAFS WBND WDLY WDSPRD WEA WFO WFSO WFP WI WIBIS WINT WK WKDAY WKEND WKNG WKNS WKR WKST WKN WL WLY WMO WND WNDS WNW WNWLY WNWRN WNWWD WO WPLTO WRM WRMG Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-20 Vertical velocity or vertical visibility VAD Wind profiler West Washington Warm air advection Word Area Forecast System Westbound Widely Widespread Weather Weather Forecast Office Weather Forecast Service Office Warm front passage Wisconsin Will be issued Winter Weak Weekday Weekend Weakening Weakens Weaker Weakest Weaken Will Westerly World Meteorological Organization Wind Winds West-northwest West-northwesterly West-northwestern West-northwestward Without Western Plateau Warm Warming Appendix A WRMR WRMST WRMFNT WRMFNTL WRN WRNG WRS WS WSHFT WSFO WSO WSR-88D WSTCH WSW WSWLY WSWRN WSWWD WTR WTSPT WUD WV WVS WW WWAMKC WWD WWS WX WY XCP XPC XPCD XPCG XPCS XPLOS XTND XTNDD XTNDG Warmer Warmest Warm front Warm frontal Western Warning Worse Wind shear Windshift Weather Service Forecast Office Weather service office NWS Doppler Radar Wasatch Range West-southwest West-southwesterly West-southwestern West-southwestward Water Waterspout Would West Virginia or wind Waves Severe weather watch SPC status report Westward Severe weather watches Weather Wyoming Except Expect Expected Expecting Expects Explosive Extend Extended Extending XTRM XTRMLY YDA YKN YLSTN Z ZL ZN ZNS ZR Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-21 Extreme Extremely Yesterday Yukon Yellowstone Zulu time Freezing drizzle Zone Zones Freezing rain Appendix A This page intentionally left blank Rev 1 Oct. 2003 A-22 Appendix A APPENDIX B INFLIGHT ADVISORY LOCATOR CHARTS Rev 1 Oct. 2003 East Sector Identifier Map B-1 Appendix B Rev 1 Oct. 2003 East Sector Location Identifiers B-2 Appendix B Rev 1 Oct. 2003 Central Sector Identifier Map B-3 Appendix B Rev 1 Oct. 2003 Central Sector Location Identifiers B-4 Appendix B Rev 1 Oct. 2003 West Sector Identifier Map B-5 Appendix B Rev 1 Oct. 2003 West Sector Location Identifiers B-6 Appendix B Aviation Area Forecasts FA Locations for AIRMETs/SIGMETs Rev 1 Oct. 2003 B-7 Appendix B This page intentionally left blank Rev 1 Oct. 2003 B-8 Appendix B Honeywell International Inc. One Technology Center 23500 West 105th Street Olathe, Kansas 66061 FAX 913-791-1302 Telephone: (913) 712-0400 Copyright ©2001, 2003 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved. 006-18274-0000 Rev. 1 10/03 NAcrobat Distiller 4.05 for Macintosh