Weather: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:3D_clouds.jpg|thumb|270px|[[3D clouds]] in [[PLIB]] version as seen from a [[EC135]].]]
FlightGear has an impresive weather system, including real weather fetch, [[3D clouds]] and lightning.
== METAR ==
== METAR ==
{{Main article|METAR}}


FlightGear is capable of receiving METAR weather data from real weather sources. It uses this information to determine elements of the flight environment, such as winds.
FlightGear is capable of receiving METAR weather data from real weather sources. It uses this information to determine elements of the flight environment, such as winds.


=== Reading a METAR Report ===
=== Reading a METAR Report ===
Some tips on "speed reading" a METAR.
Some tips on "speed reading" a METAR.



Revision as of 13:34, 26 October 2008

3D clouds in PLIB version as seen from a EC135.

FlightGear has an impresive weather system, including real weather fetch, 3D clouds and lightning.

METAR

1rightarrow.png See METAR for the main article about this subject.

FlightGear is capable of receiving METAR weather data from real weather sources. It uses this information to determine elements of the flight environment, such as winds.

Reading a METAR Report

Some tips on "speed reading" a METAR.

METAR KMKC 141754Z 31015G25KT 3SM -SHRA BR SCT020 BKN050 OVC100 22/17 A2991 RMK SLP128

The first set of numbers, followed by "Z" is the time of the report. After this is where the real meat of the METAR begins.

The first thing to look for is the wind report:

It is always a three digit Wind Heading in degrees followed by Wind Speed.

31015KT

reads:

310* @ 15kts

or 310 degrees at 15 knots.

Another important feature to look for is Wind Gust, if there are wind gusts the speed will appear after "G"

31015G25KT

310* @ 15kts gusting to 25 kts

Visibility comes second after the Wind.

3SM

3 Statue Miles

Visibllity is given in statue miles


Next, read the cloud cover or Sky Conditions report:

SCT020 BKN050 OVC100

Scattered, Broken, Overcast.

The last but fairly important is the "Altimeter" or barometric pressure you should set your altimeter to.

A2991

29.91 inches of mercury


Metar Abbreviations

Reading METAR Reports

Metar Tutorial

Technical: Decoding Metar in Perl

(If I am wrong about anything, please correct).

TAF

An Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified period (usually 24 hours).

Reading TAF