AWH 3-15

Chapter 3, Overview of Aviation Weather Information 3-15 Thunderstorm Information Contained In: Type Summary TCF G The TCF depicts areas of convection meeting select criteria. ECFP G The ECFP is a planning forecast mainly intended for air traffic managers. Convective Outlook T, G Convective Outlooks provide the potential for severe (tornado, wind gusts 50 knots or greater, or hail 1-in diameter or greater) and non-severe (general) convection and specific severe weather threats during the following 8 days. SAW T, G Formerly known as the AWW, the SAW provides an approximation of the area covered by a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Tornado Watch. Severe Thunderstorm Watch T, G A watch is when conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms, which is hail 1-in diameter or greater and/or damaging winds of 50 knots or greater. Not to be confused with a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, which is issued when severe thunderstorms are occurring. Tornado Watch T, G A watch is when conditions are favorable for tornadoes. Not to be confused with a Tornado Warning, which is issued when tornadoes are occurring. AFD T Describes the weather conditions as they relate to a specific TAF or group of TAFs and may provide additional aviation weather-related issues that cannot be encoded into the TAF, such as the reasoning behind the forecast. MIS T A discussion of meteorological events (including significant convection) causing or expecting to impact the flow of air traffic across an ARTCC. Tools GFA Tool G Interactive website that includes forecast thunderstorm areas with different coverage levels. Also overlays radar Convective SIGMETs, CWAs for thunderstorms and Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Warnings. Flight Service Interactive Map G Interactive website that includes overlays of radar, Convective SIGMETs, CWAs for thunderstorms, and Severe Thunderstorms/Tornado Watches and Warnings. Also includes an overlay for radar echo tops. 3.4.2.2 Products with Wind Information Table 3-5. Weather Element: Wind Type: text (T), graphic (G), image (I), voice (V) Wind Information Contained In: Type Summary Observations METAR and SPECI (ASOS, AWOS, ATIS) T, G, V Surface wind speed and direction are included. Wind direction is reported relative to magnetic north in ATIS as well as ASOS and AWOS radio (voice) broadcasts. Otherwise reported relative to true north. Wind speed is reported in knots. PIREP/AIREP T, G, V Wind direction is reported in tens of degrees magnetic north and wind speed in knots. Analysis Surface Analysis Chart G Surface wind speed and direction (true north) are depicted with standard symbols on station plot models. Upper Air Analysis G At select pressure levels, the wind direction aloft is displayed in tens of degrees true north and wind speed aloft is displayed in knots.