UAS Weather Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a METAR report's 'TS' designator indicate?
- Towering cumulus clouds
- Thunderstorm activity (Correct answer)
- Temperature spike above seasonal norms
- Thin stratus layer
Correct answer: Thunderstorm activity
TS in a METAR stands for thunderstorm, which poses significant hazards to sUAS operations.
Question 2: Which wind condition is most dangerous for sUAS operations near structures?
- Steady 10-knot winds from the north
- Gusting winds that vary more than 10 knots from mean speed (Correct answer)
- Calm winds with high humidity
- Light variable winds below 5 knots
Correct answer: Gusting winds that vary more than 10 knots from mean speed
Gusty conditions create unpredictable turbulence and mechanical eddies around buildings that can destabilize small UAS.
Question 3: At what relative humidity level does fog typically form?
- Above 50%
- Above 70%
- Near 100% (saturation) (Correct answer)
- Above 85%
Correct answer: Near 100% (saturation)
Fog forms when air reaches near 100% relative humidity and water droplets condense around available nuclei.
Question 4: A remote pilot notices the sky has a green or yellowish tint. This most likely indicates:
- Clear air turbulence at altitude
- High ozone concentration from industrial emissions
- Severe thunderstorm or hail potential (Correct answer)
- Dust storm approaching from the west
Correct answer: Severe thunderstorm or hail potential
A greenish sky is a well-known visual indicator of severe thunderstorm activity and potential large hail.
Question 5: What aviation weather product provides forecasts for specific airports including wind, visibility, and sky conditions?
- PIREP
- TAF (Correct answer)
- SIGMET
- FA
Correct answer: TAF
A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) provides 24-30 hour forecasts of weather conditions at specific airports.
Question 6: When flying a sUAS near a lake on a hot summer afternoon, which local weather effect should a pilot anticipate?
- Lake-effect snow developing rapidly
- Sea breeze circulation causing shifting winds (Correct answer)
- Reduced turbulence due to water cooling the air
- Stable air preventing any convection
Correct answer: Sea breeze circulation causing shifting winds
Temperature differences between water and land drive sea/lake breeze circulation, causing wind shifts in coastal and lakeside areas.
Question 7: Which layer of the atmosphere contains most weather phenomena that affect sUAS operations?
- Stratosphere
- Troposphere (Correct answer)
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
Correct answer: Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest atmospheric layer where temperature decreases with altitude and virtually all weather occurs.
UAS Weather Assessment 2
What does a METAR report's 'TS' designator indicate?