CFC Meteorological Briefing & Interpretation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a METAR, the group '27015G28KT' means the wind is from 270° at 15 knots with gusts to:
- 28 knots (Correct answer)
- 43 knots
- 13 knots
- 15 knots sustained only
Correct answer: 28 knots
The 'G' in a METAR wind group stands for gusts, so G28KT means gusts to 28 knots.
Question 2: A TAF contains the group 'BECMG 1416 SCT020'. This means conditions are expected to:
- Gradually change to scattered clouds at 2,000 ft between 1400 and 1600Z (Correct answer)
- Temporarily have scattered clouds at 2,000 ft at 1400Z
- Become scattered at 2,000 ft only at 1416Z
- Rapidly deteriorate to overcast at 2,000 ft by 1600Z
Correct answer: Gradually change to scattered clouds at 2,000 ft between 1400 and 1600Z
BECMG indicates a gradual, permanent change expected to occur within the specified time window.
Question 3: A METAR reports 'VCTS' in the weather group. What does this indicate?
- Thunderstorm in the vicinity (5–10 SM from the airport) (Correct answer)
- Thunderstorm directly overhead
- Thunderstorm more than 10 SM away
- Virga and cumulus towering nearby
Correct answer: Thunderstorm in the vicinity (5–10 SM from the airport)
VC (vicinity) indicates phenomena occurring 5–10 SM from the airport, and TS is thunderstorm.
Question 4: What ceiling value separates Marginal VFR (MVFR) from IFR conditions according to standard flight weather categories?
- Below 1,000 ft AGL (Correct answer)
- Below 3,000 ft AGL
- Below 500 ft AGL
- Below 5,000 ft AGL
Correct answer: Below 1,000 ft AGL
IFR conditions are defined as ceilings below 1,000 ft AGL and/or visibility below 3 SM.
Question 5: A TAF amendment is issued when observed or forecast conditions differ significantly from the existing TAF. What designator is used to identify an amended TAF?
- TAF AMD (Correct answer)
- TAF COR
- TAF SPL
- TAF UPD
Correct answer: TAF AMD
TAF AMD (amendment) is issued when significant changes occur that were not captured in the original or corrected TAF.
Question 6: In a METAR, 'OVC005' means the sky condition is:
- Overcast at 500 ft AGL (Correct answer)
- Overcast at 5,000 ft AGL
- Obscured at 500 ft AGL
- Overcast at 50 ft AGL
Correct answer: Overcast at 500 ft AGL
OVC means overcast and the three-digit group (005) represents height in hundreds of feet, so 500 ft AGL.
Question 7: A METAR includes 'FG' in the present weather field with visibility reported as '1/4SM'. What does this indicate?
- Dense fog with visibility of one-quarter statute mile (Correct answer)
- Freezing fog with visibility of 1,400 feet RVR
- Fog with visibility of one-quarter kilometer
- Patchy fog reducing visibility intermittently to 1/4 SM
Correct answer: Dense fog with visibility of one-quarter statute mile
FG is the METAR code for fog, and 1/4SM means visibility is one-quarter statute mile.
CFC Meteorological Briefing & Interpretation 2
In a METAR, the group '27015G28KT' means the wind is from 270° at 15 knots with gusts to: