Message-ID: <36624666.41DA2722@intergate.bc.ca>
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 23:16:54 -0800
From: Timothy Walker <timo@intergate.bc.ca>
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Subject: Re: question about TAF
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P6sm.....
Prevailing visibility greater than 6 statute miles.

and Tempo is very important for IFR.
Look in your AIP under Tempo, Prob 30/40, and becom.....
Good reading

Julian D Jones wrote:

> >Two examples of TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) here:
> >Example 1. (book example)
> >
> >TAF
> >KBRO 300545Z 300606 VRB04KT 3SM SCT040 OVC150 TEMPO 2124 SHRA
> >FM0200 10010KT P6SM OVC020 BECMG0306 NSW BKN020=
> >
> >1. What's "TEMPO?" My book didn't explain that...
>
> TEMPO means temporarily.  Changes expected to occur frequently, but briefly.
> TEMPO 2124 means that brief, but frequent, changes may occur from 2100 to
> 2400Z.   The times that follow TEMPO show the period during which conditions
> will fluctuate.  The first two digits are the nearest whole hour the weather
> starts.  The last two digits show the nearest whole hour when the weather
> conditions end.
>
> >2. the P6SM should mean "greater than 6 statue miles" right?
> >   but why use "P" ?? Can't figure it out..
>
> P means "in excess of", naturally.  Specifically, it indicates visibility
> greater than highest reportable sensor value.
>
> >3. The "=" means the "end" of this report, right?
>
> That sounds good, but I can't answer for sure.
> >
> >Example 2. (a real world example)
> >http://www.awc-kc.noaa.gov/awc/taf/indtafhuf.html
> >
> >ZCZC INDTAFHUF
> >TTAA00 KIND 291725 AAA
> >TAF
> >KHUF 291725Z 291818 18016G26KT P6SM SCT060 BKN200 TEMPO 1822 BKN060
> >     FM2200 19014KT P6SM BKN040 TEMPO 2202 SCT040 BKN200
> >     FM0900 20014KT P6SM BKN040 TEMPO 1014 5SM BR BKN020
> >     FM1500 21014G24KT P6SM BKN040 PROB30 1618 4SM -SHRA OVC015=
> >
> >NNNN
> >
> >1. What's the ZCZC menas?
>
> My guess is that it has something to do with the reporting station.
>
> >2. What's the TTAA00?
>
> Same guess as #1
>
> >3. What's AAA?
>
> Probably a code about the type of reprort
>
> >4. Why there is a "-" before SHRA, does it mean anything other than
> >   rain shower?" (my book didn't have that dash!)
>
> Light -
> Moderate (no sign)
> Heavy +
>
> >
> >Final question: HOW useful are TAF? I mean I could imagine that I could
> simply
> >call 1-800-WX-BRIEF before my long cross country and use the weather
> service
> >while enroute (using radio), I probably don't need to use TAF service at
> all.
>
> Probably Not
>
> >Besides, TAF is simply weather "forecasts"for "selected airports" ONLY.
> >So, HOW useful it is in real life for you super pilots?
>
> I'm checking the TAF right now to see if I'll be able to takeoff at my
> scheduled time tomorrow morning.  There is no need to call anyone.
> >
> >Thanks for your help! Really appreciate that and hope
> >these are good questions. :)
> >

--
Timothy Walker
Mailto:timo@intergate.bc.ca


