Weather Observation & Reporting Flashcards
7 cards from real CTO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Weather Observation & Reporting flashcards as text
A METAR observation reports winds as '27018G32KT'. What does the 'G32' portion indicate?
Answer: Gust speed of 32 knots
The 'G' prefix in a METAR wind group indicates gusts, and '32KT' is the peak gust speed in knots.
What ceiling value would be reported in a METAR when the lowest broken or overcast layer is at 2,500 feet AGL?
Answer: BKN025
The ceiling is the lowest layer reported as broken (BKN) or overcast (OVC); BKN025 indicates broken clouds at 2,500 feet.
Which weather phenomenon is encoded as 'FZFG' in a METAR?
Answer: Freezing fog
FZFG stands for freezing fog, a significant hazard as it deposits rime ice on aircraft surfaces.
In a METAR, the sky condition group 'SKC' is used at automated stations instead of 'CLR'. What does 'CLR' specifically indicate?
Answer: No clouds below 12,000 feet
CLR is reported by automated stations when no clouds are detected below 12,000 feet AGL.
A pilot reports an unrestricted visibility of greater than 10 miles. How is this reported in a METAR?
Answer: P6SM
Visibilities greater than 6 statute miles are reported as 'P6SM' (plus 6 statute miles) in a METAR.
What is the correct METAR qualifier for light precipitation intensity?
Answer: A minus (-) sign before the weather code
A minus sign (-) preceding a weather descriptor indicates light intensity precipitation in a METAR.
Which METAR remark provides information about the peak wind observed since the last METAR was issued?
Answer: PK WND
The PK WND remark records the peak wind direction, speed, and time of occurrence since the last observation.
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