atc weather briefing

ATC Weather Briefing

Provided by:Fort Rucker Weather Operations

(FRWXOPS)

Overview Weather Equipment What’s New Observations

METAR SPECI

Pilot Reports Cooperative Weather Watch Weather Watches/Warnings/Advisories

Objectives

To ensure all ATC personnel are able to take limited weather observations

To ensure all ATC personnel understand the Cooperative Weather Watch program

To educate all ATC personnel about the weather equipment in the local flying area

To educate all ATC personnel about the watches, warnings, and advisories issued for the local flying area

References

AFMAN 15-111

FMH-1

TC 3-04.81

Fort Rucker Regulation 115-1

AFMAN 15-124

The Local Flying Area

60NM: MEF (MISSION EXECUTION FORECAST)

100NM: DD 175-1

150NM:CONTINUATION SHEET

Weather Equipment – Cairns AAF

FMQ-19

An automated system that automatically generates observations

Supplemented/backed up by forecaster IAW Air Force directives

LOCAL observations no longer exist

FMQ-19 supplemented per AF policy

Supplement: To manually provide wx elements that are beyond the system’s capability to measure/report

Tornado/Funnel Cloud/Waterspout

Volcanic Ash

Sandstorms/Duststorms

Hail

Ice Pellets

Snow Depth


FMQ-19 backed up per AF policy

Back up: To manually provide wx elements when automated sensors are malfunctioning and are operationally significant

Wind speed/direction

Visibility/present wx

Temperature/dew point

Sky cover up to and including 25,000 ft

Altimeter

Lightning location

Layer of clouds or obscuration below 600 ft


JET (Joint Environmental Toolkit)

Web-based system that integrates ATC/Ops/Wx functions

Area observations; WWAs; altimeter; and winds

Available to Base Fields, ARAC, HUB via AAAS

Available to Stage Fields via internet


https://owsjet26.us.af.mil/portal/private/GuestFtRucker


Weather Equipment – Lowe AHP

ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System)


FMQ-13

Measures wind speed/direction at the Tower

JET is available via AAAS

ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System)


FMQ-13



Weather Equipment – Hanchey AHP

TMOS (Tactical Meteorological Observing System)


FMQ-13



Weather Equipment – Shell AHP

FMQ-13


JET is available via internet

Weather Equipment – Stage Fields

What’s New

MEF Amendment Advisory

Shows up on AAAS/JET to quickly alert ATC agencies of MEF amendments

What’s New

Weather Information Frequency (WIF)

FRWXOPS will broadcast details about all MEF amendments on 348.8 (VHF)

PMSV frequency of 134.1 (UHF) remains unchanged

What’s New Backup Wx Page (Obs, WWAs, Wind, ALSTG)

Use when JET/AAAS weather is inop No CAC required (cancel if prompted for certificate)

https://jetkozr.rucker.army.mil/atc

What’s New Backup WWA Page (WWAs only)

http://www.rucker.army.mil/weather/PRODUCT%20DROP/WWA.htm

What’s New

Social Media

Facebook (ftruckerwx)

Twitter (@ftruckerwx)

Free Mobile App (www.ftrucker.mobi)

Why social media?

Fastest way to get wx updates at remote locations

METAR A routine scheduled observation that contains a complete report of wind, visibility, runway visual range, present weather and obscurations, sky condition, temperature, dew point, and altimeter. Reported between 55 and 59 past each hour.

Types of Observations

SPECI An unscheduled observation completed and transmitted as soon as possible when any special criteria has been observed. Contain all data elements found in a METAR plus additional remarks that elaborate on data in the body of the report. Decoded just like a METAR

Let’s look at an example

Observations

KOZR METAR 1155Z AUTO 22010G17KT 1/2SM +RA BR FEW004 BKN008 OVC015 04/04 ALSTG 30.06 RMK PA +172 DA +41 AO2 RAB1115 P0013 60051 70155 T00380037 53002

This is an hourly (METAR) report for Cairns AAF (KOZR).

Observations


Observations

The time of the observation is the 1155Z.


Observations

The observation is from an automated reporting site.


Observations

The winds are from 220° (SW) at 10 knots (KT) with gusts (G) to 17.


Observations

The visibility is 1/2 statute miles (SM).


Observations

The present weather is heavy rain (+RA) and mist (BR).


Observations

The sky condition is FEW at 400 feet (FEW004), BKN at 800 feet (BKN008), and overcast at 1500 feet (OVC015). Note: cloud bases are reported in AGL.


Observations

The temperature is 04°, and the dew point is 04° (Celsius).


Observations

The altimeter is 30.06. One of the quirks of AAAS is that it drops any trailing zeroes in the altimeter. For instance, an altimeter of 30.10 would show up as 30.1.


Observations

The remarks include: Pressure Altitude (PA +172)Density Altitude (DA +41)Both of these are in ft.


Observations

The AO2 indicates the observation is generated from an automated system with no human intervention. AO2A would indicate that the observation is being augmented.


Observations

The rest of the remarks are generally useless outside the Weather Station.Rain Began at 1115Z.


Observations

The hourly precipitation amount was .13”.


Observations

The 6-hourly precipitation was .51”.


Observations


The 24-hourly precipitation was 1.55”.

Observations

The temperature and dew point, on the hour, were 3.8° and 3.7° (Celsius).


Observations

This is the pressure tendency group, reported every 3 hours.


SPECI Criteria A SPECI is required when the ceiling crosses the following thresholds:

3000 feet 600 feet2000 feet 500 feet1500 feet 400 feet1000 feet 300 feet800 feet 200 feet700 feet 100 feet

A layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena aloft is present at or below 600 feet and no layer was reported in the preceding METAR or SPECI.

SPECI Criteria A SPECI is required when the prevailing visibility crosses the following thresholds:

3 SM 1 SM2 SM ¾ SM1 ½ SM ½ SM1 ¼ SM ¼ SM

SPECI Criteria

A SPECI is required when:

A thunderstorm begins or ends

A squall occurs. A squall is when the wind speed suddenly increases by 16 knots or more and exceeds 22 knots for at least 1 minute.

Wind shift. The wind direction changes of 45° or more in less than 15 minutes with sustained winds or gusts of 10 knots or more throughout the shift.

SPECI Criteria


Hail begins or ends

Freezing precipitation begins, ends, or changes intensity

Any other type of precipitation begins or ends

SPECI Criteria A SPECI is required when the Runway Visual Range (RVR) from the active runway (RWY 06) crosses the following thresholds:

2000 feet 5000 feet2400 feet 6000 feet4000 feet

RVR conditions are unavailable (RVRNO), are first determined, or when RVRNO is no longer applicable.

Prevailing visibility is first observed to be ≤ 1 SM and again when prevailing visibility goes above 1 SM

SPECI Criteria


A tornado or funnel cloud appears or disappears from sight

Note: Because the KOZR observations are automated and a running log is archived, a SPECI is NOT required for an aircraft accident/mishap unless the FMQ-19 is down.

Pilot Reports (PIREPs) A PIREP is defined as a report of meteorological phenomena encountered by aircraft in flight

Required fields include

Message type Location Time Flight Level Aircraft type One other element such as

Sky cover Weather Temperature Winds Hazards (Turbulence, Icing)

Pilot Reports (PIREPs) All PIREPs received by ATC agencies must be passed immediately to the Weather Station

Let’s look at an example.

KOZR UA /OV KEDN090025/TM 1245/FL020/TP H60/SK SCT005-TOP010 BKN-OVC015-TOPUNKN/ WX FV03SM -RA/TA 05/WV 18015KT/RM LIGHT CHOP ON TAKEOFF

Pilot Reports (PIREPs)

The PIREP was disseminated by Cairns AAF (KOZR).



The PIREP is routine in nature (UA). UUA would indicate an urgent report.



The PIREP was from an aircrew located 25 SM E (090025) of Enterprise (KEDN).



The time of the PIREP was 1245Z.



The flight level was 2000 feet (020).



The aircraft type was a H-60.



The sky condition was a SCT layer with bases at 500 feet and tops at 1000 feet; and a BKN to OVC layer with bases at 1500 feet and tops unknown.



The flight visibility was 3 SM (FV03SM) due to light rain (-RA).



The temperature was 05° Celsius.



The wind was from 180° (S) at 15 KT (knots).



Remarks can include anything else the pilot added. In this example, the remarks are:Light chop on takeoff and the pilot observed a scud layer to the east.

KOZR UA /OV KEDN090025/TM 1245/FL020/TP H60/SK SCT005-TOP010 BKN-OVC015-TOPUNKN/ WX FV03SM -RA/TA 05/WV 18015KT/RM LGT CHOP ON TAKEOFF; SCUD LAYER TO EAST

Wind

Wind direction is “fromsie” Wind speed is reported in knots (KT) A “G” means gust

22012KT

31009KT

VRB05KT

18012G24KT

Let’s look at a few examples:

From the SW at 12 KT

From the NW at 09 KT

Variable at 05 KT

From the S at 12 KT with gust of 24 KT

Visibility

The prevailing visibility determined from the designated point of observation (the sensor itself)

Reported in statute miles (SM)

No more sector visibility

Visibility Markers Daytime markers

Prominent, dark colored objects

Fixed objects

Nighttime markers

Unfocused light of moderate intensity

Fixed objects

NOTE: Moving aircraft are NOT an acceptable method of determining visibility. Only fixed objects for which the distance is known may be used (ie objects from your approved visibility chart).

Present Wx

Reported for any phenomenon that reduces prevailing visibility to ≤ 6 SM

Classified as precipitation or obscuration

Mist BR

Fog FG

Smoke FUVolcanic Ash VA

Dust DU

Sand SA

Haze HZ

Spray PY

Obscurations

Visibility < 5/8 SM

Visibility ≥ 5/8 SM

Present Wx

Drizzle DZ

Rain RA

Snow SNSnow Grains SG

Ice Crystals IC

Ice Pellets PL

Large Hail GR

Small Hail GS

Snow Pellets GS

Precipitation Types

< ¼ inch

≥ ¼ inch

Present Wx

- Light

No Symbol Moderate

+ HeavyVC In the

vicinity

Intensity or Proximity

Present Wx

MI ShallowPR Partial

BC PatchesDR Drifting

BL Blowing

SH ShowersTS Thunderstor

mFZ Freezing

Descriptors

+FC Tornado or Waterspout

FC Funnel Cloud

Other

Present Wx

Reaches the groundDoes not reach ground

Let’s look at some examples.

FZRARA+TSRABLDUVCTS-SHRATS

Freezing Rain

Moderate Rain

Thunderstorm with Heavy RainBlowing Dust

Thunderstorms in the VicinityLight Rain Showers

Thunderstorm (no Rain)

Present Wx

Sky Condition

SKC/CLR Sky ClearFEW Trace to 2/8

coverageSCT 3/8 to 4/8

coverageBKN 5/8 to 7/8

coverageOVC 8/8

coverage

Sky Cover

Cloud Ceiling

BKN110BKN at 11,000 feet AGL

SCT009 BKN040 OVC210SCT at 900 feet, BKN at 4000 feet, and OVC at 21,000 feet AGL

VV001Vertical visibility into a total obscuration, in this case 100 feet AGL


Sky Condition

VV001

SCT002 BKN007 OVC010

BKN015 OVC028

BKN120

Ceiling is defined as the lowest broken or overcast layer, or the vertical visibility into a surface-based obscuration that totally hides the sky (i.e. an indefinite ceiling)


100 feet700 feet1500 feet12,000 feet

Sky Condition

Limited Observations When evaluating tower visibility:

Evaluate as frequently as practical

Use all available markers

Visibility Checkpoint Charts must be reviewed by Wx Station annually or when the visibility chart changes

Limited Observations (Tornadic Activity)

A funnel cloud is defined as a violently rotating column of air that does not touch the ground

A waterspout is defined as a violently rotating column of air that touches the water

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air that touches the ground

Cooperative Weather Watch

Weather units are required to establish a cooperative weather watch with ATC as required.

Of primary concern is

The report of tower visibility different from the prevailing surface visibility

Local PIREPs

Any weather event that could affect flight safety

Certified tower personnel at Cairns AAF will notify the Weather Station:

When changing active runways

When changing the runway center light settings

When the prevailing visibility at the tower is < 4 SM (6000 meters)

When thunderstorms or precipitation begins or ends

When fog or mist is observed

Anytime a PIREP is received


Certified tower personnel at the Base Fields should notify the Weather Station:

When the cig/vis goes IFR and differs from the Cairns AAF ob

When a cloud ceiling crosses the 500 ft threshold

When visibility crosses the ½ SM threshold

When thunderstorms or precipitation begins or ends


When winds exceed 25 kts, 35 kts, and 50 kts



Certified tower personnel at the Stage Fields should notify the Weather Station:

When precipitation begins or ends


When winds equal or exceed 25 kts, 35 kts, and 50 kts



Watch vs Warning vs Advisory

A weather watch means watch out---potential exists

A weather warning means there is imminent danger

A weather advisory means there is weather that could impact flight operations

Watch vs Warning vs Advisory

Fort Rucker’s Weather Watches are issued for a 60NM ring (except for Lightning, which is for a 15NM ring)

Fort Rucker’s Weather Warnings are issued for a 15NM ring (except Lightning, which is for a 5NM ring)

Fort Rucker’s Weather Advisories are issued for either a 15NM ring (terminal) or a 60NM ring (area)

Wx Watch Criteria (60NM)

Tornado

LTG w/in 15NM

Damaging Winds (> 45 kts)

Severe Thunderstorms (> 45 kts and/or Hail > ½”)

Heavy Rain (> 2” in 12 hrs)

Freezing Precipitation

Snowfall (> ½” accumulation)

Wx Warning Criteria (15NM) Tornado

LTG w/in 5 NM

Severe Thunderstorms (> 45 kts and/or Hail > ½”)

Moderate Thunderstorms (30-44 kts and/or Hail < ½”) Damaging Winds (> 45 kts )

Strong Winds (30-44 kts)

Heavy Rain (> 2” in 12 hrs)

Freezing Precipitation

Snowfall (≥ ½” accumulation)

Area Wx Advisory Criteria (60NM)

Forecast severe or extreme TURBC blo 10K ft

Observed moderate or greater TURBC blo 10K ft

Forecast icing blo 10K ft

Winds ≥ 20 kts

Observed snow falling blo 2K ft

Forecast Predominant Low IFR (< 500/1)

LLWS blo 2K ft

Observed 1500/5 in Goldfish

N1 Observed IFR (< 1000/3)

N1 Forecast Predominant IFR (< 1000/3)

N1 Forecast Thunderstorm IFR (< 1000/3)

Area Wx Advisory Criteria (60NM)

Terminal Wx Advisory Criteria (15NM)

Wind gust spread ≥ 15 kts

Cross winds ≥ 25 kts at Cairns AAF

Temps ≤ 00°C for 5 or more hrs

Temps ≤ M06°C

LTG observed w/in 10 NM of KOZR

N1 Observed IFR (< 1000/3)

N1 Forecast Predominant IFR (< 1000/3)

N1 Forecast Thunderstorm IFR (< 1000/3)

Forecast Predominant Low IFR (< 500/1)

Terminal Wx Advisory Criteria (15NM)

LTG observed w/in 5 NM of KLOR

LTG observed w/in 5NM of KHEY

LTG observed w/in 5NM of KSXS

LTG observed w/in 5NM of KFHK

LTG observed w/in 5NM of 19AL (Molinelli FARP)

Off-Site WWAs

Conclusion Weather Equipment What’s New Observations

METAR SPECI

Pilot Reports Cooperative Weather Watch Weather Watches/Warnings/Advisories

Please notify Cindy Howell (5-8142) if you have any questions or feedback about this course.

As part of your Initial Weather Certification and Annual Recertification, you must take and pass a written exam with 70% or above. Test is open book.

Tower Chiefs, please remember to email your memos to Cindy Howell ([email protected]) each time you certify new folks.

Test Time

Slides Updated on 02 Dec 13

How To Reach Us

On the WWW @ http://www.rucker.army.mil/6weather/index.htm

Give us a call @ 8385 or 8397 (or HOTLINE)

Facebook (ftruckerwx)

Twitter (@ftruckerwx)

Mobile App (www.ftrucker.mobi)

Come on down and see us!

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