cool tools: using the cwsu metar map
DESCRIPTION
A presentation for pilots on how to use the Center Weather Service Unit's METAR Map.TRANSCRIPT
COOL TOOLS:COOL TOOLS:Using The CWSU Using The CWSU
METAR MapMETAR Map
Presented By:Presented By:
Marc Coan, FAAst Team Rep, Marc Coan, FAAst Team Rep, ATP/CFII-MEATP/CFII-ME
[email protected]@skymachines.com
www.WxBriefing.comwww.WxBriefing.com
www.MetarMap.uswww.MetarMap.us
Click on the map to zoom in…Click on the map to zoom in…
… … or select an ARTCC or or select an ARTCC or major city to zoom tomajor city to zoom to
Not just METARs, but non-Not just METARs, but non-aviation observations, tooaviation observations, too
RAWS: 2,200 “Remote Automatic Weather Stations” strategically located throughout the USA
Quick-view color-coded Quick-view color-coded station identifiersstation identifiers
Station: KUES Waukesha Co. Airport)Ceiling/Visibility: MVFR (1000-3000’ ceiling and/or 3-5 s.m. visibility)Temperature: 73 deg. F.Dewpoint: 63 deg. FWind: Northwest at 15 mphWind Gust: 21 mph
Mouse-over any station for Mouse-over any station for current observation & TAFcurrent observation & TAF
Click a station for the full Click a station for the full report, including 30-day historyreport, including 30-day history
Then click a tab for so much Then click a tab for so much more information:more information:
The NWS tab: The NWS tab: LotsLots of info, of info, including a convective outlookincluding a convective outlook
The NWS tab: 3-day history, link The NWS tab: 3-day history, link to local NWS forecast office to local NWS forecast office
The NWS tab: Hyper-local The NWS tab: Hyper-local forecast + forecast discussionforecast + forecast discussion
The NWS tab: NTSB recommends The NWS tab: NTSB recommends we read the forecast discussionwe read the forecast discussion
Why does the TAF forecast what it does today? The actual TAF forecaster explains his/her thinking here, adding LOCAL knowledge when needed. Updated at least at 0900Z and 2100Z daily.
The NWS tab: Try the hourly The NWS tab: Try the hourly weather graphweather graph
Great for airports without a TAF!
The NWS tab’s hourly graph:The NWS tab’s hourly graph:
Forecast temp/ dewpoint, winds, humidity, sky cover, precip…
…every hour for the next 5 days!
The Guidance tab:The Guidance tab:
2 different, detailed forecast models for any airport, 1 in graph, 2 in text format
The Guidance tab’s “Localized The Guidance tab’s “Localized Aviation MOS Product”Aviation MOS Product”
A graphical display of the GFS model forecast for the next 24 hrs. for ANY airport
The Guidance tab’s “Localized The Guidance tab’s “Localized Aviation MOS Product”Aviation MOS Product”
Forecasts: temp/dewpt., winds, sky cover, ceiling, visibility, precip, obstructions to vision
The Guidance tab’s “MOS The Guidance tab’s “MOS Forecasts” productForecasts” product
2 different text forecasts (GFS and NAM models) for every 3 hours for the next 3 days for most airports… check for differences between forecasts!
The RUC The RUC Sounding Sounding
Tab: Tab:
Forecast winds Forecast winds aloft, temp/ aloft, temp/
dewpt, freezing dewpt, freezing level aloft for level aloft for anyany location location
The RUC The RUC Sounding Tab: Sounding Tab:
Red line=temp, Red line=temp, blue=dewpt…where blue=dewpt…where
they touch, it’s cloudy they touch, it’s cloudy at that altitude. Here: at that altitude. Here:
clouds from 1000-clouds from 1000-6000’ MSL. Freezing 6000’ MSL. Freezing
level at 13,500’ level at 13,500’ (magenta line)(magenta line)
Links to Links to dozens of dozens of
experimental experimental and non-and non-
traditional traditional weather weather
sites:sites: