AD QNH
Aerodrome QNH Forecast |
This is a forecast of the
maximum and minimum QNH
vales. The forecast is
provided as a guide to the range of pressure expected
during a specified validity period. The main purpose is
to provide a check on the actual QNH passed to an
aircraft to ensure that any errors in transmission do
not result in an incorrect altimeter setting. Aerodrome
QNH forecasts, which are normally appended to TAF, shall
not be used as an altimeter setting. Refer also to METAR
AUTO. |
Pre-flight |
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AIREP and AIREP Special
Routine and Special Aircraft Reports
|
This is a routine report
(AIREP) from an aircraft in-flight, or a special report
(AIREP Special) provided when hazardous meteorological
conditions are encountered. Refer also to PIREP. |
In-flight |
ARFOR
Area Forecast |
An area forecast (ARFOR) is a forecast for a specified
area, and is for planning domestic flights (VFR and IFR)
up to 10,000 ft.
The ARFOR Areas
ARFOR Example |
Pre-flight |
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ATIS
Aerodrome Terminal Information Service |
Aerodrome take-off and landing
reports provided on discrete frequencies at selected
aerodromes. |
Prior to takeoff or landing |
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BWR
Basic Weather Report
|
Basic weather reports are
provided at some aerodromes and are verbal comment on
actual weather conditions at particular aerodromes. BWR
are not an alternative to METAR or SPECI reports. |
Pre-flight & In-flight |
|
GRIB (Gridded Binary)
Grid Point Forecast
|
This is meteorological
information provided in the GRIB code and includes
information such as wind and temperature forecasts for a
set of regularly spaced points. These are typically
spaced at intervals of 1.25 degrees of latitude and
longitude. |
Pre-flight |
Hi-Level SIGWX
High Level Significant Weather Forecast |
This is a forecast for the
airspace between FL250 and FL630. The forecasts are
normally issued in chart form for specific geographical
areas.
Examples |
Pre-flight |
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Medium or Mid-Level
SIGWX
Medium (Mid) Level Significant Weather Forecast
|
This is a forecast for the
airspace between FL100 and FL250. The forecasts are
normally issued in chart form for specific geographical
areas.
Example |
Pre-flight |
MSL ANAL and MSL PROG
Mean Sea Level Analysis and Mean Sea Level Prognosis
|
A mean sea level analysis is a
contour chart of the atmospheric pressure at mean sea
level for a given time in the past. A mean sea level
prognosis is a contour chart of the expected atmospheric
pressure at mean sea level for a given time in the
future. |
Pre-flight |
METAR and SPECI
Aerodrome Reports
|
Aerodrome reports are provided
for specific aerodromes and presented in the METAR
(Meteorological Aerodrome Report) and SPECI (Special
Aerodrome Report) codes.
METAR Example
SPECI Example
METAR Flowchart |
Pre-flight |
METAR AUTO
|
METAR AUTO are aerodrome
reports provided from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS)
in the METAR code.
Example
More Info
AWS sensors |
Pre-flight |
OPMET
|
OPMET (Operational
Meteorological Information) is a term used to describe a
collection of operational meteorological information
comprising TAF, METAR, SPECI, SIGMET, VAA and AIREP. |
Refer to individual OPMET products |
PIREP
Pilot Report |
This is similar to an AIREP
Special and is an abbreviated AIREP Special provided by
domestic operators in New Zealand whenever weather
phenomena of significance or of a hazardous nature are
encountered. |
In-flight |
RAPIC
Radar Picture (image) |
This is a radar picture (image)
of precipitation. Weather radar can infer precipitation
intensity (with some limitations) and location from the
strength of the echo, the time taken for it to return,
and the location from which it came. There are six
weather radars in New Zealand located near Warkworth,
New Plymouth Airport, Mahia (Hawkes Bay), Wellington,
Rakaia (southwest of Christchurch), and Invercargill
Airport.
Example |
Pre-flight |
ROFOR
Route Forecast |
This is a forecast of wind,
temperature, and significant weather for a specific
route and flight levels.
Example |
Pre-flight |
SATPIX
Satellite Picture |
These are obtained from
geostationary and polar orbiting satellites and provide
visible and infrared images of cloud tops.
Example |
Pre-flight |
SIGMET |
SIGMET (Significant
Meteorological Information) provide information
concerning the occurrence or expected occurrence of
weather phenomena of a hazardous nature and which could
affect the safety of aircraft in flight.
Example |
Pre-flight & In-flight |
TAF
Aerodrome Forecast |
Aerodrome forecasts are
provided for specific aerodromes and presented in the
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) code.
Example
TAF Flowchart |
Pre-flight |
Takeoff and Landing Reports
|
These are reports of
meteorological conditions at attended aerodromes
prepared by the ATS unit immediately prior to a takeoff
or landing. |
Prior to takeoff or landing |
TREND
Landing Forecast |
A TREND forecast consists of an
aviation weather report (METAR or SPECI) to which is
appended a concise statement of any significant changes
to those described in the report that are expected to
occur during the following two hours. A TREND forecast
shall supersede, during the validity of the TREND, the
aerodrome forecast (TAF) for the aerodrome concerned. |
Pre-flight & In-flight |
VAA
Volcanic Ash Advisory |
VAA provide information about
ash in the atmosphere resulting from volcanic eruptions.
Example
|
Pre-flight & In-flight |
VOLMET
|
Routine broadcasts of selected
OPMET. Broadcasts are made from Auckland (Auckland
VOLMET) using discrete HF ground to air frequencies. |
In-flight |
Wind and Temperature Forecast
|
Wind and temperature forecasts
are issued in chart form for specific times and levels.
Wind direction and speed are indicated at selected
points by wind arrows with feathers and shaded pennants,
and spot temperatures are enclosed in circles.
Example |
Pre-flight |
