Aviation Weather Services

severe weather, defense, marine, public weather and environmental monitoring. The information is down linked either via Very High Frequency (VHF) communications through the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) or via satellite link through the Aircraft to Satellite Data Acquisition and Relay (ASDAR). The Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System (MDCRS) is an automated airborne weather observation program that is used in the U.S. This program collects and disseminates real-time upper-air weather observations from participating airlines. The weather elements are down linked via ACARS and are managed by Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) who then forwards them in Binary Universal Form for the Representation of Meteorological Data (BUFR) format to the NWS and in raw data form to the Earth Science Research Laboratory (ESRL) and the participating airline. More than 1,500 aircraft report wind and temperature data with some of these same aircraft also providing turbulence and humidity/water vapor information. In conjunction with Figure 13-1. Example of a weather radar scope. avionics manufacturers, each participating airline programs their equipment to provide certain levels of meteorological data. The monitoring and collection of climb, en route, and descent data is accomplished through the aircraft’s Flight Data Acquisition and Monitoring System (FDAMS) and is then transmitted via ACARS. When aircraft are out of ACARS range, reports can be relayed through ASDAR. However, in most cases, the reports are buffered until the aircraft comes within ACARS range, at which point they are downloaded. Radar Observations There are four types of radars which provide information about precipitation and wind. 1. The WSR-88D NEXRAD radar, commonly called Doppler radar, provides in-depth observations that inform surrounding communities of impending weather. Doppler radar has two operational modes: clear air and precipitation. In clear air mode, the radar is in its most sensitive operational mode because a Figure 13-2. WSR-88D Weather Radar Echo Intensity Legend. slow antenna rotation allows the radar to sample the atmosphere longer. Images are updated about every Reflectivity (dBZ) Ranges Weather Radar Echo Intensity 10 minutes in this mode. <30 dBZ Light Precipitation targets provide stronger return signals; 30–40 dBZ Moderate therefore, the radar is operated in the Precipitation >40–50 Heavy mode when precipitation is present. A faster antenna 50+ dBZ Extreme rotation in this mode allows images to update at Figure 13-3. WSR-88D Weather Radar Precipitation Intensity a faster rate, approximately every 4 to 6 minutes. Terminology. Intensity values in both modes are measured in dBZ (decibels of Z) and are depicted in color on the radar image. [Figure 13-1] Intensities are correlated to intensity terminology (phraseology) for ATC purposes. [Figures 13-2 and 13-3] 13-3