AWH 3-16

Chapter 3, Overview of Aviation Weather Information 3-16 Wind Information Contained In: Type Summary Advisories AIRMET T, G AIRMET Tango issued when sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots are occurring or expected to occur. CWA T, G May be issued if surface wind gusts are at or above 30 knots. TCA T Includes maximum sustained surface winds. AWW T Intended for ground operations at select airports. Criteria may vary depending on user needs. Forecasts Winds and Temperature Aloft T, G Wind direction aloft is indicated in text format as tens of degrees with reference to true north, and wind speed aloft in knots. The graphical forecast uses standard wind barb display for wind speed/direction (true north). TAF T, G Surface wind forecasts of direction rounded to the nearest 10 degrees (true north) and the surface mean wind speed in knots are included in the wind group. Aviation Surface Forecast G Derived from the GFA and includes forecasts of surface winds at specified valid times. Also includes AIRMET for surface winds. Alaska Area Forecast T Surface winds greater than 20 knots are included in the description of significant clouds and weather. Hawaii Area Forecast T Sustained surface winds of 20 knots or greater are included in the description of significant clouds and weather. Gulf of America and Caribbean Area Forecast T Sustained surface winds greater than or equal to 20 knots are included in the description of significant clouds and weather. Medium-Level SIGWX G A jet stream axis with a wind speed aloft of more than 80 knots is depicted with double hatched lines identifying 20-knot speed changes. High-Level SIGWX G Global forecast of a jet stream axis with a wind speed aloft of more than 80 knots is depicted with double hatched lines identifying 20-knot speed changes. WAFS G Winds aloft are issued at select FLs and are provided in chart and grid point formats. Wind speed and direction (true north) are displayed with wind barbs. Upper Air Forecasts G Model outputs for winds aloft are shown at select pressure levels. Wind speed and direction (true north) are displayed with wind barbs. AFD T Describes the weather conditions as they relate to a specific TAF or group of TAFs, including surface winds. Tools GFA Tool G Interactive website that includes surface winds (true north) and winds aloft at select altitudes/FLs. Flight Service Interactive Map G Interactive website that includes overlap of AIRMET for surface winds and winds aloft (true north) at select altitudes/FLs.