Aviation Weather

Course designed by Aaron Schoolcraft and Brock Hindman

Aviation Weather #0
 Course Objectives
Student will be able to:
• Identify weather conditions that may adversely
affect the safety of aviation operations.

• Describe mitigations that can be applied when

working in unfavorable weather conditions.

• List at least two aviation weather resources that

can assist in making informed decisions.

Aviation Weather #1
 Aviation Weather
• General Weather Overview
• Mitigations
• Aviation Weather Resources

Aviation Weather #2
 We Will Learn About
• Weather Basics • Frontal Systems
• Wind/Wind Shear • Fire
• Visibility • Topographic
• Clouds Influences
• Fog • Density Altitude
• Inversions • Wake Turbulence
• Thunderstorms • Weather as a
• Icing Contributing Factor in
Aircraft Mishaps.

Aviation Weather #3
Proceed to the AOPA Weather Wise training program
And complete lesson on “Air Masses and Fronts”

http://flash.aopa.org/asf/wxwise_fronts/wxwise_fronts.cfm?

Aviation Weather #4
 What is the Atmosphere?
• The earth’s atmosphere is like a fluid by the way it moves and is
affected by objects on the surface. It can however be expanded and
contracted due to the pressures of the gasses.

• Only one to four percent of the atmosphere is moisture,

fundamentally speaking, everything that happens in the atmosphere
is a function of temperature and moisture.

Aviation Weather #5
 Atmospheric Flow
Air masses are large
bodies of air that have the
same moisture and
temperature
characteristics.
These characteristics will
determine the kind of
weather that can be
expected and produce
A Surface Analysis Chart Depicts High interactions with other
Pressure and Low Pressure systems
Warm and Cold Fronts.

Aviation Weather #6
 Aviation Weather
Based On

• Temperature

• Density

• Pressure

• Moisture
Aviation Weather #7
 Temperature
• Measured in both degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.

• For every 1 degree Celsius change there is an corresponding 1.8

degree Fahrenheit change. The conversion from Celsius to
Fahrenheit is (Celsius Temp. X 1.8+32=Fahrenheit Temperature).

Example-(5°C X 1.8+32=41° F)

Aviation Weather #8
 Air Density
• Density is defined as the mass of the molecules
in a given volume.
• Air density varies with both temperature and
altitude.

Aviation Weather #9
 Pressure
• The force exerted by the moving molecules of the gas on
a given area ( a square inch or square foot).

• Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7

pounds per square inch or 29.92 inches of mercury.

• Standard pressure decreases one inch of mercury per

thousand feet in elevation gain.

Aviation Weather #10

Pressure

Aviation Weather #11

 Pressure Altimeter
• An aneroid barometer that reads units of altitude instead of pressure
based on the altimeter setting.
• This setting is the value to which the barometric pressure scale on
the altimeter is set so the altitude indicates true altitude at field
elevation.

Aviation Weather #12

 Moisture
• Visibility is affected by a combination of
Moisture and Temperature.
• When air is cooled to the point that it is
completely saturated with water, you will
be at Dew Point.
• When enough moisture is present
(humidity) and the temperature falls close
to dew point, visibility will decrease.

Aviation Weather #13

 Visibility
• Visibility is how far
you can see in statute
miles (SM = 5280’).

• Obstructions are:
– Fog
– Haze
– Smoke
– Blowing dust
– Heavy precipitation
– Clouds
– Snow
Wreckage from airtanker impact of terrain
While flying in reduced visibility and low ceilings.
Aviation Weather #14
 Visibility Obstructions
• Fog:
– Forms rapidly
– Can be very unpredictable
– Forms in all parts of the country

• Haze:
– Concentrations of very fine dust particles
– Occurs in stable atmospheric conditions and
relatively light wind

Aviation Weather #15

 Visibility Obstructions
• Smoke:
– Suspension of
combustion particles
in the air
– Travels up to 25
miles or more
– Reddish-colored sky
as sun rises and sets
– Orange-colored sky
Inadvertent IMC Crash due to
when the sun is well smoke inversion
above the horizon

Aviation Weather #16

 Visibility Obstructions
• Blowing Dust:
– Fine particles of soil suspended in the air
– May be blown for hundreds of miles
– Common where dry land farming is extensive
• Heavy Precipitation:
– Associated with cumulus clouds
– May deposit on windshield at a rapid rate
– Falling precipitation may saturate the cool air
causing precipitation-induced fog
Aviation Weather #17
 Visibility
• Fog
– Advection fog occurs
as lower layer of
warm, moist air moves
over a cooler surface
– Upslope fog forms
when moist, stable air
is forced up a sloping
land mass
– Steam fog occurs as
cool, dry air moves
over warmer water or
moist land

Aviation Weather #18

 Fog and Inversions
• Visibility can be reduced
to dangerous levels by
fog under stable
conditions with light
winds.
• An inversion is defined
as a condition where air
temperature increases
with altitude. Most
aviation-related
inversion concerns
occur due to surface
cooling.

Aviation Weather #19

 Fog and Inversions
• Fog can become concentrated beneath the
marine inversion caused by cool onshore winds,
then disperse when the surface warms in the
day or winds become offshore

• Fog is common when the temperature and dew

point are close together or the same

• Mitigation:
– Wait until temperatures and/or winds increase to
disperse the fog.

Aviation Weather #20

Additional Visibility Concerns
• Visibility may be extremely different at the
incident or worksite compared to the
airport.
• Marginal VFR conditions may still present
some hazards that may be unsafe to fly
around.
– High Antenna Towers.
– Less margin for changing weather patterns

Aviation Weather #21

 Visibility Requirements

Typical Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Requirements

Airplane: Helicopter:
- 3 miles visibility - clear of clouds
- 500-2000’ from clouds

Aviation Weather #22

 Wind
What are the main forces that effect wind?

1. Pressure Gradient Force

– The difference in pressure between two points

2. Coriolis Force
– It affects all objects moving across the face of the
earth

3. Frictional Force
– The force that resists relative motion. Experienced
mainly in the lower 2,000 feet of the atmosphere

Aviation Weather #23

 Wind Measurements &
Concerns
• Wind velocity or speed is often given in nautical miles
per hour (knots) and compass direction determined from
which the wind is blowing. (Example 270 degrees at 15
knots).

• One knot is equal to 1.152 miles per hour.

• Safety issues may relate to factors which impact control

and performance of aircraft:
– Excessive wind speeds and or gust spread
– Sharp changes in speed and/or direction (shear)
– Turbulent wind eddies
– Flight planning concerns

Aviation Weather #24

 Wind Shear
• Rapid change in wind speed and/or
direction with distance can negatively
impact lift and control of aircraft.

Aviation Weather #25

 Micro Burst/ Wind Shear
1. Increased headwind
2. Decreased headwind and severe downdraft
3. Tailwind and severe downdraft
4. Increased tailwind

2 4
1 3

Aviation Weather #26

 Turbulent Wind Eddies
• Mountain waves can create significant
turbulence particularly along the lee slopes of
the mountains.
• Possible as stable air moves across a ridge at
20 kts or greater.

Aviation Weather #27

 Clouds
• Cloud types:
– Low clouds
– Middle clouds
– High clouds

Aviation Weather #28

 Cloud Types
• Low Clouds
– Surface to 6,500’ AGL
– Stratus clouds
– Fog is considered a
low cloud.
• Fog
– Radiation fog occurs
on calm, clear, humid
nights.

Aviation Weather #29

 Cloud Types
• Middle Clouds
– Range from 6,500’ to
20,000’ AGL

– May contain moderate

turbulence and
potentially severe icing

– Predominantly consist
of stratus type clouds

Aviation Weather #30

 Cloud Types
• High Clouds
– Range begins at
20,000’ AGL
– Are composed mainly
of ice crystals
– Seldom pose serious
turbulence or icing
hazards
– Are often light cirrus
type clouds

Aviation Weather #31

 Clouds as Indicators
• Stratiform Clouds
– General atmospheric stability
– Often poor visibility
– Winds steady, but can be strong
– Ceiling and visibility concerns if clouds
thicken and lower or produce precipitation

• Cumuliform Clouds
– General atmospheric instability
– Good visibility
– Erratic winds, shear and turbulence
– Thunderstorm potential
Aviation Weather #32
 Clouds of Concern

• Lenticular – Form over and downwind of mountains and are

indicative of very strong winds and stable conditions aloft.
These clouds will have a washboard look about them.
– Usually occur as storm systems are either approaching or freshly
departed
– Winds aloft 75 to 150 kts
– Possible strong general shear zone between ground and elevation of
Lenticular cloud base
Aviation Weather #33
 Clouds of Concern
• Strong shear and
turbulence in vicinity of
cloud and associated
mountain feature, as well
as up to 100 plus miles
downwind from the
mountain waves.

• Mitigation: Avoidance
and navigating on the
upwind side of the
feature.

Aviation Weather #34

 Clouds of Concern
• Altocumulus Castellanus or floccus
– Indicative of mid-level instability
– Strong indicator of thunderstorms and aviation
concerns later in the day if seen in the morning
Mitigation: Awareness

Aviation Weather #35

Clouds of Concern
• Cumulonimbus – Fully
developed thunderstorm
– Lightning
– Strong winds, shear &
turbulence, clear ice
potential
– Low ceilings and visibility
due to heavy precipitation
– Damaging hail and
tornado potential
– All factors are immediate
aviation safety concerns!

Aviation Weather #36

 Thunderstorms
• Arguably the single greatest threat to
aircraft operations.
• Thunderstorm formation requires:
– Unstable conditions
– Lifting force
– High moisture levels

Aviation Weather #37

 Thunderstorm Life Cycle

• Cumulus Stage:
– Lifting action and vertical movement
– Air rises and cools to its dew point, water vapor
condenses into small water droplets or ice
– Updrafts can be up to 3000 feet per minute

Aviation Weather #38

 Thunderstorm Life Cycle

• Mature Stage:
– Rain drops grow too large to support and precipitation
falls
– Cell is organized and at the most violent stage
– Produces gust fronts

Aviation Weather #39

 Thunderstorm Life Cycle

• Dissipating Stage:
– Generally reaches the dissipating stage 15 to 30
minutes after it reaches the mature stage
– Thunder cell begins to weaken

Aviation Weather #40

 Thunderstorm Hazards
• Several elements directly associated with
a thunderstorm can be extremely
hazardous to aircraft.
• Virga
• Lightning
• Hail
• Icing
• Extreme Turbulence

Aviation Weather #41

 Virga
• Streaks of rain which
evaporate before
reaching the ground.
• Often have strong
downdrafts and may
precede a microburst.
• Common in desert
and temperate
climates.
Mitigation: Avoidance

Aviation Weather #42

Lightning
• Can strike in clear air in
the vicinity of
thunderstorms.

• Most likely to strike

airborne aircraft when
flight level temperature
between 24 F and 40 F.

• Usually a minimal hazard

to airborne aircraft due to
charge dispersion along
metal skin.

Aviation Weather #43

Lightning
• Greatest risk is for
aircraft and personnel
on the ground when
refueling.

Mitigation: Avoid
thunderstorms &
don’t fuel aircraft
when storms are in
the area.

Aviation Weather #44

Thunderstorms
Mitigation:
Avoid single storms
or areas with 6/10 or
more coverage of
storms by 10 to 20
miles

Aviation Weather #45

Icing
• Rime icing can occur in
stratiform clouds
• Clear icing can occur in
cumuliform clouds.
• Impact: Increased
weight, decreased lift,
and aircraft control
• Icing can occur under
VFR conditions
• Visible moisture must be
present

Aviation Weather #46

 Icing
• Mitigation:
– Assure aircraft is
equipped for known icing
– Check route and terminal
forecast
– Check METARs and
PIREPs
– Assess escape routes
into warmer or colder air.

Aviation Weather #47

 Turbulence
• Moderate turbulence -
• Extreme Turbulence and wind Changes in altitude/attitude
shear can be encountered in a occur. Aircraft remains in
Thunderstorms. control at all times. Variations
in indicated air speed.
• Severe turbulence - large,
• Moderate to severe turbulence abrupt changes in
and wind shear can still be altitude/attitude. Large
encountered in frontal activity variation in indicated airspeed.
regardless of presence of Aircraft may be temporarily out
Thunderstorms of control.
• Extreme turbulence - aircraft is
violently tossed about and is
impossible to control. May
cause structural damage.

Aviation Weather #48

 Storm Fronts
• Frontal systems are areas of changeable
weather caused by the clash of air masses of
differing characteristics due to the circulation
around low pressure systems.
• Warm Fronts – Warm air advancing into and
overriding (being lifted by) colder air.
• Cold Fronts – Cold air advancing into and
displacing (lifting) warmer air.

Aviation Weather #49

 Warm Fronts
• Weather associated with warm fronts is generally more
expansive, longer lasting and less erratic in comparison to
that associated with cold fronts.

– The gradual thickening and lowering of stratiform

clouds as front approaches will eventually lead to
reduced ceilings and visibility due to low clouds, fog,
and light steady precipitation (VFR to IFR)

– Strong/erratic winds and shear not a big issue

– Passage of front brings clearing, a wind shift in

direction and speed, warmer temperatures and greater
instability
Mitigation: Wait until frontal impacts lessen.
Aviation Weather #50
Warm Front and Aviation Impact

Aviation Weather #51

 Cold Fronts
• Weather associated with cold fronts is generally
less expansive, shorter lived and more violent in
comparison to that associated with warm fronts.
– Strong winds and isolated thunderstorms in advance
of front
– Strong & shifting winds, shear, turbulence and
thunderstorm potential with frontal passage. Visibility
and ceiling issues related to thunderstorm coverage
and intensity
– Notable wind shift after frontal passage
– Rapid end to thunderstorm related issues after frontal
passage, but strong winds could continue for 12 plus
hours
Mitigation: Wait until frontal impacts lessen.

Aviation Weather #52

Cold Front and Aviation Impact

Aviation Weather #53

 Fire Effect on Weather
• Fires can generate
their own weather.
• Limited visibility
– Smoke
– Inversions
• Extreme updrafts
– Hot air rising
• Extreme downdrafts
– Column collapsing

Aviation Weather #54

 Fire Effect on Weather
• Hail
• Precipitation
• Erratic winds
• Turbulence

Aviation Weather #55

Topographic Influences:
Mountains

Eurocopter AS-350 rolled over from high wind gust

Alaska
Aviation Weather #56
 Topographic Influences
• Topographic features create and/or modify weather
to produce conditions which can be highly variable
in both time and space.

– Mountains – Create their own local weather as well as

substantially modify ambient weather conditions, usually
resulting in more erratic winds and also the potential for
lower ceilings and visibilities.

– Coastlines – Create local weather conditions associated

with the sea breeze and marine layer which have a more
profound impact on ceiling and visibilities than on winds.

Aviation Weather #57

 Topographic Influences:
Mountains
• Winds:
– Drainage winds, updrafts,
and channeling or
disturbance of ambient winds
often lead to erratic winds,
shear, and turbulence.
• Ceilings and Visibilities:
– Creation and enhancement of
clouds and precipitation can
create ceiling, visibility, and
icing issues.

Aviation Weather #58

 Topographic Influences:
Mountains
• Thunderstorms can
develop over
mountains during the
summer, especially in
the western U.S.

Mitigation:
Avoidance, strong
knowledge of local
influences, real-time
weather information.
Aviation Weather #59
Topographic Influences: Coastlines
• Winds:
– Interaction between sea breeze
and ambient winds can create
highly variable winds on either
side of the sea breeze front, but
speeds are usually low

• Ceilings and Visibilities:

– Low clouds, fog and/or drizzle
often associated with the marine
layer can create significant ceiling
and visibility restrictions. Nearby
higher terrain and areas just
inland may not be impacted
Aviation Weather #60
 Topographic Influences:
Coastlines
• Thunderstorms can
develop along the sea
breeze front in the
summer, especially
along the Gulf and
Atlantic coasts.

Mitigation:
Avoidance, strong
knowledge of local
influences, real-time
weather information.
Aviation Weather #61
Density Altitude (DA) - Definition
• Air density directly impacts the amount of lift generated by an
airfoil and is a major factor in aircraft performance.
• DA is a correction to account for lower air density caused by
warmer temperatures.
• Example: A station at 6000 ft. with a temperature of 90 F
would have a DA ~ 9200 ft. Aircraft operating from this
station would have lift and performance similar to that at
9200 ft. under standard atmospheric conditions.

Aviation Weather #62

 Density Altitude (DA) - Impact
• High DA values are prevalent
across the mountainous west
in the summer, where
already elevated areas can
be subjected to hot
temperatures.
• Cargo weight capacity,
takeoff speed & distance,
acceleration, maneuverability
and service ceiling can be
adversely impacted.
Mitigation: Awareness of DA values vs. aircraft constraints.
If impacted, wait for cooler temperatures, operate during
cooler time of day, lighten load or obtain higher
performance aircraft.
Aviation Weather #63
Density Altitude Calculators & Forecasts

Aviation Weather #64

 Wake Turbulence

• Chaotic airflow that

develops behind both
fixed and rotor wing
aircraft.
• Most important
component are
wingtip vortices,
which linger up to
three minutes as they
sink to the ground.

Aviation Weather #65

 Wake Turbulence
• Greatest hazard is during takeoff & landing
– Low aircraft speeds and higher wing angle maximize
formation of vortices
– Aircraft are operating closest to ground and stall speed

• Mitigation:
– Land beyond the touchdown point of landing aircraft
– Wait three minutes prior to departing

Aviation Weather #66

 Aviation Weather Resources
• Aviation routine weather reports
(METARs) & forecasts (TAFs)

• Remote Automated Weather Stations

(RAWS)

• Audible aviation weather service outlets

Aviation Weather #67

 Aviation Weather Resources
• Incident Forecasts

• Density Altitude calculators & forecasts

• Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS)

– Radar, satellite, surface & pilot observations
– Turbulence, icing and convection advisories
– TAFs and METARs

Aviation Weather #68

 Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METAR’s) &
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF’s)
METAR Locations TAF Locations

• METAR = airport observation, taken at least hourly

• TAF = 30 hour forecast for many METAR locations, issued
four times per day
• Both use same standard worldwide format, which is not
very friendly to the layperson (see decoding sheet).
• Focus on using decoded versions of these resources!
Aviation Weather #69
 METAR Observation
• Where, When, Wind
• Visibility
• Runway Visual Range
• Prevailing weather
• Sky condition & cloud
levels AGL
• Temp/dewpoint ( C)
• Altimeter setting
• Sea Level Pressure
• Remarks

Obs. taken within 15 min. of the top of the hour or immediately when
significant changes occur (often changes from VFR>MVFR>IFR).
Aviation Weather #70
TAF - Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
• Where, When, Wind
• Visibility
• Prevailing weather
• Sky condition & cloud
levels AGL
• optional: wind shear
• Tempo, PROB40 and
PROB30 indicate
significant non-
prevailing conditions
• Issued every six hours
and updated when
significant changes
occur.
• 5 miles from airport
Aviation Weather #71
 Audible Aviation Weather
Service Outlets
• En route Flight Advisory
Service (EFAS) designed
for in-flight updates
• 122.0 MHz for aircraft
between 5,000 ft. AGL &
17,500 ft. MSL (available
0600-2200)

Aviation Weather #72

Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS)
• First-stop resource
for aviation weather
– Turbulence, icing and
convection advisories
and observations
– Radar & satellite
– Pilot and surface obs
– METARS & TAFs
– Various tools in
development
• Help/Info button for
every page
Standard Briefing!

• http://adds.aviationweather.gov/ Aviation Weather #73

 ADDS Standard
Briefing
• Follow top to bottom, or
pick and choose
• DOES NOT replace the
pilot standard briefing, but
provides information which
is more than suitable for
non-pilots
• Try it out, find what you
like, use it!

Aviation Weather #74

ADDS – Adverse Conditions

• Can rapidly assess areas

of significant turbulence,
icing and convection.
• Pilot reports available for
each type of hazard in
same interface.
Aviation Weather #75
 ADDS – Synopsis/Current Weather

• Real-time radar and satellite data in various formats,

scales, resolutions and time frames for enhancement of
situational awareness.
• Scales ranges from international to local in size.
Aviation Weather #76
 Additional Aviation Weather
Sources
• Gleim Aviation Weather & Weather
Services

• Aviation Weather by Peter F. Lester

• Weather Flying by Robert N. Buck

Aviation Weather #77

 General Weather Sources

• Internet • Newspaper
- www.intellicast.com • Television
- www.weather.com

Aviation Weather #78

 Flight Planning Concerns
• Time en route

• Fuel planning

• Time on station for mission

Aviation Weather #79

 Summary

• Weather is an obvious and ever-present

factor in aviation safety.
• The main factors which cause concern are
fairly well identified & predictable, and thus
avoidable.
• An array of weather resources are available
to identify and predict these factors, giving
us the opportunity to take action to mitigate
weather-related aviation safety concerns.

Aviation Weather #80

 References
AOPA Weather Wise, “Air Masses and Fronts”
http://flash.aopa.org/asf/wxwise_fronts/wxwise_fronts.cfm?

Associated Press (Publisher), & Ockenden, T (Photographer). (2006). BRITAIN

AIRPORT
FOG. London, GBR. Retrieved from
http://www.apimages.com/OneUp.aspx?st=k&kw=Tim%20Ockenden&showact=result
s&sort=date&page=1&intv=None&sh=10&kwstyle=or&adte=1324417111&pagez=60&
cfasstyle=AND&rids=e8d47a75581d4a05a66ee7b0ed5f46b3&dbm=PY2006&xslt=1&
mediatype=Photo

Clouds. (2010, January 5). Jet Stream-Online School for Weather. The National Weather
Service. Retrieved from
http://www.srh.weather.gov/srh/jetstream/synoptic/clouds.htm

Da Vinci Picture. (2011). Retrieved from http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/artleonardo.html

Aviation Weather #81

 References
FAA-H-8083-25A. (2008). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. Retrieved from
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/

FAR/AIM. (2010, August 26). Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information
Manual (2011 Edition). Newcastle, WA: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

Gleim, I. N., & Gleim, G. W. (2008) Gleim Aviation Weather and Weather Services: The
FAA’s Aviation Weather (AC 00-6A) and Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45F)
Simplified. Gainesville, FL: Gleim Publications, Inc.

Lester, P. F. (1995). Aviation Weather: Englewood, CO: Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc.

Lightning. (2010, January 5). Jet Stream-Online School for Weather. The National
Weather
Service. Retrieved from http://www.srh.weather.gov/srh/jetstream/lightning/lightning_
intro.htm

Aviation Weather #82

 References
Surface Analysis Chart provided by NOAA National Weather Service
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.
http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/sfc2.shtml

Wake Turbulence Photo. (2011). Retrieved from

http://overtheairwaves.com/vol4_10final.html

Weather Photos and Charts. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.free-online-private-pilot

-ground-school.com/Aviation-Weather-Principles.html

Williams, E. (2011). Aviation Formulary V1.46. Retrieved from

http://williams.best.vwh.net/avform.htm

Aviation Weather #83

 Course Objectives
Student will be able to:
• Identify weather conditions that may adversely
affect the safety of aviation operations.

• Describe mitigations that can be applied when

working in unfavorable weather conditions.

• List at least two aviation weather resources that

can assist the user in making informed
decisions.

Aviation Weather #84