| Current Conditions |
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The current conditions box displays the current weather for the location
you selected or the nearest reporting station. Current
conditions include cloud cover, humidity, temperature, wind direction and speed,
visibility, pressure, dewpoint, flight conditions, and weather activity.
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| Current METAR and TAFs |
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This box displays the current METAR and two most recent TAFs for the location
you selected or the nearest reporting station. The TAFs are in a decoded format.
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| Interactive Weather Maps |
Two maps are displayed, both centered on your selected location.
The top map graphically displays current conditions at area weather
reporting stations. See the Symbols and Legend information to interpret
the station graphic.
The bottom map graphically displays AIRMETS and SIGMETS. AIRMET and/or
SIGMET text appears below the map if your selected location is within an
AIRMET and/or SIGMET area.
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| Using the Maps |
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Each map has borders with the directions N,S,E, and W. Clicking a border
pans the map one full width in that direction. Clicking inside the map
centers the map at that location and updates the current conditions,
METAR, TAFs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and forecasts.
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| AIRMETs and SIGMETs |
AIRMETs contain details of potentially hazardous weather conditions including
IFR conditions, icing, and turbulence affecting or forecast to affect an area of
at least 3000 square miles at any one time.
AIRMETs are routinely issued for 6 hour periods beginning at 0145 UTC during
Central Daylight Time and at 0245 UTC during Central Standard Time. AIRMETs are
also amended as necessary due to changing weather conditions or issuance/cancellation
of a SIGMET.
SIGMETs contain details of weather conditions that are considered significant to all aircraft
categories. There are two types of SIGMETs, non-convective and convective. Non-convective SIGMETS
provide information on turbulence, icing, and reduced visibilities while convective SIGMETS provide
information on thunderstorms and tornadoes. A convective SIGMET implies severe or greater turbulence,
severe icing, and low level wind shear.
Convective SIGMET bulletins are issued for the Eastern (E), Central (C), and Western
(W) United States. The areas separate at 87 and 107 degrees west longitude with
sufficient overlap to cover most cases when the phenomenon crosses the boundaries. Bulletins are
issued hourly at Hour+55, while special bulletins are issued at any time and updated at Hour+55.
The text of the bulletin consists of either an observation and a
forecast or just a forecast. The forecast is valid for up to 2 hours.
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| Local Forecast |
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The local forecast is derived from the NWS city forecast. It's meant to be a quick view of
next 6-7 days' conditions with high and low temps, including the chance of precipitation.
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| Long Term Forecast |
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The long term forecast is derived from the NWS zone forecast. It usually covers several counties
and cities with more detailed predictions covering roughly the same period as the local forecasts. It's a good idea to check the county or city list at the top to confirm what
areas are covered.
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| Symbols and Legends |
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Current Conditions
