English 2

Unit 3
METEOROLOGY

In this Unit
you will:

Learn vocabulary related to meteorology: weather

phenomena and how they affect aviation.
Learn vocabulary about different weather reports.
Decode weather reports.
Learn vocabulary related to weather instruments.
Grammar: Revision of past tenses, connectors, wh-
words.
 What’s the weather like today?

Aeronautical Meteorology

It is the field of meteorology applied to aviation.

Meteorological service for international aviation is provided by meteorological authorities designated
by States. In Argentina, it is called Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.

Some adverse weather conditions can be contributing factors to aeronautical incidents and accidents.

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1. Match the following pictures with their corresponding names.

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2. Weather Reports

METAR ( Meteorological Terminal Air Report) It is the international standard code for hourly surface
weather observations. It is a routine observation made and reported at hourly or half hour intervals
(fixed times)

SPECI ( Special Meteorological Report) . It will be reported when required as a result of specified
changes in the meteorological conditions or special observations. These reports are made whenever
such changes occur between routine observations.

A SPECI is identical to a METAR with the difference that the first one is not created regularly but from
time to time. It is a special observation message showing a punctual meteorological event that occurred
since the last METAR or SPECI published. The issuance of a SPECI is not necessary if METAR are
issued at half-hour intervals.

TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions
at an airport during a specified period (usually 24 hours). Each ICAO state may modify the code as
needed. TAFs use the same weather code found in METAR weather reports.

SYNOP ( Surface Synoptic Observation) is a numerical code used for reporting surface weather
observations. These reports are typically sent every 6 or 3 hours. A report consists of groups of numbers
describing general weather information, such as the temperature, barometric pressure and visibility at
a weather station.

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AAXX 27234 87576 42960 13608 10192 20110 30021 40045 55005 80001 333 56006 81070
Information METAR

METAR: SAEZ 220600Z 14006KT 7000 FEW005

OVC014 15/14 Q1013 NOSIG RMK PP000

SPECI SAEZ 220514Z 14008KT 5000 BR SCT003 BKN010 16/15 Q1013

NOSIG RMK PP000=

VIDEO: METAR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie_2fxr7xA0

2. Watch the video, take down notes of the vocabulary and say what the
information on the photograph refers to.

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It's your turn to read METARS:

METAR SADF 031400Z 11009KT CAVOK 18/12 Q1011

METAR SAWH 031400Z 15003KT 100V190 9999 FEW 040 BKN 200 08/02 Q1007
METAR SARF 031300Z 09006KT CAVOK 28/16 Q1003
METAR SAVC 031400Z 24009KT 210V280 CAVOK 15/M02 Q1017

Where can pilots obtain information about the aerodrome?

ATIS ( Automatic Terminal Information Service) It is a continuous broadcast service of

information related to an airport and is accessed by the pilot in command and flight
crew of any flight. The information is pre-recorded, essential aeronautical information
that pertains to:

*Weather conditions and information:

*Active runways
*Available approaches
*Important notices to the pilot in command (NOTAM)

The recording is updated at scheduled intervals or if there is a significant change that

urgently needs to be broadcast.

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3. Listen to the ATIS broadcast. Choose the correct answer to each question.

4. Listen to the ATIS broadcast and complete the missing information

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Some of these instruments can be found in an Instrument Shelter or Stevenson Screen

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5. Match the weather instruments to their name and function

THERMOMETER: an instrument used to measure the

temperature

WINDSOCK: an instrument that measures wind

direction and intensity.

BAROMETER: an instrument that

measures air pressure

WINDVANE: an instrument which determines the

direction from which the wind is blowing

THERMOGRAPHY: an instrument used to measure and

record humidity and temperature

HELIOGRAPH: an instrument used to record duration of

sunshine

CEILOMETER: an instrument which measures the base

of the clouds

ANEMOMETER: an instruments which measures winds

speed

WEATHER BALLOON: an instruments used to measure

the conditions in the atmosphere

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 PLUVIOMETER OR RAIN GAUGE: an instrument used to
measure amount of rainfall

BAROGRAPH: an instrument which records barometric

pressure

CLOUDS

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Cloud amount is given using the abbreviations FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC:

FEW = Few = 1/8th to 2/8th of sky coverage (1-2 octas)

SCT = Scattered = 3/8th to 4/8th of sky coverage (3-4 octas)
BKN = Broken = 5/8th to 7/8th of sky coverage (5-6-7 octas)
OVC = Overcast = 8/8th of sky coverage (8 octas)

UNITS

We use:

FEET (ft) for clouds height above ground

KNOT (kt) for wind speed (kt=nautical mile per hour)
METER (m) for horizontal visibility
HECTOPASCAL (hPa) for atmospheric pressure (QNH QFE)
DEGREE CELSIUS (°C) for temperature measurement

Some units can change depending on the country. For example:

The American land mile 'SM' (statute mile) for the visibility in North America
The inch of mercury (inHg) for the atmospheric pressure in North America (1013hPa=29,92 inHg)

6. Listen to four weather descriptions. Number the places on the map in the order you
hear them. Then, listen again and complete the chart.

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7. Match the environmental phenomena to the pictures

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 8. Listen to eight ATC transmissions and identify the environmental condition they are
referring to.

DRIFTING SNOW - DRIZZLE - GLARE - GUSTS - HAIL - LOW CEILING - SMOKE - WINDSHEAR

9. Match the environmental problems (1-8) to their possible consequences.

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10.- Reading comprehension:

Read the passage and answer the following questions:

1.- What is the main idea of the passage?

2.- What is the best thing to do when facing an updraft and downdraft?
3.- What is the best way to avoid tornadic tubes?

Read the words in bold type in the text and write simple definitions in your own words.

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 The future (will/going to)

Will or going to?

Practice

Some theory and exercises

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/will-or-be-going-to.html

Weather forecast:
https://www.liveworksheets.com/c?a=s&t=2gk1c30542z&sr=n&l=cq&i=uzffntd&r=dr&f=dzdtuzus&ms=
uz&cd=p5bc7k02895glktxgeelznnsngnzxgxpxg&mw=hs

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