Training Guide in Surface Weather Observations - Multiple Choices
Training Guide in Surface Weather Observations - Multiple Choices
Training Guide in Surface Weather Observations - Multiple Choices
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
There are two categories of criteria for tak<strong>in</strong>g SPECIs. The first is applicable to all stations across the<br />
United States. The second category of criteria for tak<strong>in</strong>g SPECIs is determ<strong>in</strong>ed by you the observer. It<br />
allows you to take a SPECI observation to report any phenomenon that <strong>in</strong> your op<strong>in</strong>ion is operationally<br />
significant at your station. In mak<strong>in</strong>g these SPECI reports, there are no limits. Even if no provision is<br />
made for report<strong>in</strong>g a particular occurrence, take a SPECI and report the phenomenon even if it is<br />
necessary to use pla<strong>in</strong> language <strong>in</strong> Remarks.<br />
1.4 Station Identifier - CCCC<br />
The second element of the transmitted coded aviation weather report is the Station Identifier:<br />
This is entered on MF1M-10 <strong>in</strong> the head<strong>in</strong>g block labeled SID.<br />
The METAR/SPECI uses the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) four-letter station<br />
identifier. All airports <strong>in</strong> the 48 contiguous states beg<strong>in</strong> with the letter “K” followed by the three-letter<br />
identifier for the airport. Alaskan stations all beg<strong>in</strong> with “PA” for Pacific-Alaskan, Hawaiian stations<br />
beg<strong>in</strong> with “PH” for Pacific-Hawaiian. The “PA” or “PH” is followed by the <strong>in</strong>ternational two-letter<br />
identifier for that station.<br />
Stations <strong>in</strong> the Eastern Caribbean beg<strong>in</strong> with the letter “T”; Western Caribbean stations beg<strong>in</strong> with the<br />
letter “M”; Guam stations beg<strong>in</strong> with the letters “PG.”<br />
Examples: New Iberia, LA - KARA Alexandria, LA - KAEX<br />
Sugar Land, TX - KSGR Anchorage, AK - PANC<br />
Nome, AK - PAOM Honolulu, HI - PHNL<br />
Keahole Po<strong>in</strong>t, HI - PHKO<br />
1.5 Date/Time Group - YYGGggZ<br />
The third element of the coded aviation weather observation is the Date/Time group.<br />
YY - two-digit date GG - two-digit hour gg - two-digit m<strong>in</strong>utes Z - letter <strong>in</strong>dicator for UTC<br />
In the METAR/SPECI, the day and time of observation is a six-character field plus the letter “Z.” The<br />
first two digits “YY” are the day of the month and the next four digits “GGgg” are the time. The times<br />
entered are <strong>in</strong> reference to the 24-hour clock. The letter “Z” is added to the end of the group to <strong>in</strong>dicate<br />
the date and time are <strong>in</strong> Coord<strong>in</strong>ated Universal Time.<br />
The date and time are <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> all reports. The actual time of a METAR report is the time the last<br />
element of the observation was observed. The actual time of a SPECI report is when the criterion for<br />
a SPECI is met or noted. If the report is a correction to a previously dissem<strong>in</strong>ated report, the time of the<br />
corrected report shall be the same time used <strong>in</strong> the report be<strong>in</strong>g corrected.<br />
Examples: An observation taken on the 23rd of the month at 1955 UTC<br />
METAR KARA 231955Z<br />
An observation taken on the 1st of the month at 0550 UTC<br />
METAR KAEX 010550Z<br />
An observation taken on the 10th of the month at 0005 UTC<br />
SPECI PAOM 100005Z<br />
1-3