Meteorology B

[brobo]

Mmm.... probably not. Everyone there is going to be following the rules to a "T" and stations are NOT mentioned anywhere in the Met. rules. However, you never know.

[Big_Platypus]

do we need to know METAR? Has anyone been quizzed over this?

[smarticle13]

do we need to know METAR? Has anyone been quizzed over this?

yes, of course you need metar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/METAR

[zyzzyva980]

I have not had an actual test over METAR, but it's still something you want in your notes.

[brobo]

do we need to know METAR? Has anyone been quizzed over this?

METAR is HUGE! You need to not only know it, but you need to be fluent in it! You need to be able to step outside and start speaking METAR!

Well, maybe thats a little over the top, but still. Try this:
Lets just say that you have the following METAR:

KIAH 311853Z 17014G20KT 10SM FEW030 26/14 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02610139

Break it apart from the spaces, and you have something a little bit more managable.
code purpose translated
KIAH Station model This means that this METAR is from Houston. You don't need to memorize the station models, though.
311853Z Date/Time This means that this was taken on the 31 of the month (presumed this month), at 1853 Zulu time. More zulu info here.
17014G20KT Wind This means that the wind is comming from 170 degrees, or about south (think of a compass) at 14 Knots, with gusts of 20 knots
10SM Visibility This means that the visibility is 10 Statue Miles. 10 is the maximum.
FEW030 Clouds This means that there are few (between 0/8th and 2/8th) clouds. The ceiling is at 30 km
26/14 Temperature/dewpoint The temperature is 26 degrees C, and the dewpoint 14 degrees C.
A2999 Alitmeter setting The altimeter setting is 29.99 <-- Take note that in METAR, the decimal is ommited.
RMK Remarks Any remarks that go here will be in plain english
AO2 Type The type of station- AO1 means that this station does NOT has precipitation descrimination, AO2 means it does.
SLP156 Sea level pressure The sea level pressure is 1015.6 <-- Take note that only the last 3 digits are used, and the decimal is omited. If the number is high, then the first diget is 9, if the number is small, the first two digets are 10.
T02610139 True temperature The true temperature is 26.1 C, and the true dewpoint is 13.9 C. This is more accurate, but not used in other things like station balls.

I hope that cleared some things up! The link that smarticle13 is really good, or you could try the Meteorology Wiki. Theres a good guide there.
Good luck!

[soccerisforlosers]

what are continental clouds??

[smarticle13]

what are continental clouds??

I think continental clouds form over the land, while maritime clouds form over the water

[zyzzyva980]

I saw some great cumulonimbus clouds today. Then I saw the news helicopter heading into them. Coincidence?

This is the best part of the year to prepare for severe storms, which I think will be next year's topic. Watch the skies as much as you can.

[smarticle13]

most of the time, I see cumulus clouds...

[zyzzyva980]

Well, it's tornado season. Be prepared for those cumulonimbus, and lots of storms.