Meteorological Briefing

033-04-02Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-04-011 min

Meteorological Reports (Actual Weather)

  • METAR: Meteorological Terminal Air Report. Routine observation (usually every 30 or 60 mins).
  • SPECI: Special report issued when significant changes occur between routine METARs.

Meteorological Forecasts

  • TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast): Forecast for a specific airport (Validity usually 9, 24, or 30 hours).
    • Essential for checking Destination and Alternate suitability.
  • TREND: A short landing forecast appended to a METAR (valid for 2 hours).

En-Route Weather

  • SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information): Warning of severe weather (Turbulence, Icing, Ash, Thunderstorms) affecting all aircraft.
  • AIRMET: Warning of weather potentially hazardous to low-level aircraft (smaller than SIGMET).
  • Significant Weather Charts (SIGWX): Graphic charts showing fronts, jet streams, tropopause height, and turbulence areas.
  • Wind and Temperature Charts: Show wind direction/speed and temperature at various Flight Levels. Used for calculating Ground Speed and Fuel Temp.

Briefing Sources

  • Self-briefing: Using automated systems.
  • Consultation: Asking a meteorologist (less common now).
  • Documentation: Charts and reports provided in the flight folder.
Written and reviewed by

Pablo Asensio · 2026-04-01

Aeronautical engineer. Passed the thirteen EASA ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge exams studying from these very notes. Writes and reviews each topic against the Part-FCL Learning Objectives.

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