Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009) 7 FORECAST TEXT PRODUCTS
7.1 Area Forecasts (FA) An Area Forecast (FA) is a forecast in an abbreviated plain language of specified weather phenomena covering a flight information region (FIR) or other area designated by the meteorological authority. The Area Forecast (in conjunction with AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Convective SIGMETs, CWAs, etc.), is used to determine forecast en route weather and to interpolate conditions at airports which do not have a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF). As such, it serves as a flight planning and pilot weather briefing aid for use by general aviation pilots, civil and military aviation operations and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) weather briefers.
Note…Hazardous weather (e.g., IFR, icing, turbulence, etc.) meeting AIRMET or SIGMET criteria are not forecast in the CONUS or Hawaii FAs. Valid AIRMETs and SIGMETs must be used in conjunction with the FA to determine hazardous weather information for the flight.
All Area Forecasts are available on the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) web site at:
http://aviationweather.gov/products/fa/.
Alaska Area Forecasts can also be found on the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit (AAWU) web site at: http://aawu.arh.noaa.gov/areaforecasts.php
7.1.1 Area Forecast Issuance Area forecasts are issued by the following offices for the following areas:
• The Aviation Weather Center (AWC)
o Conterminous U.S (CONUS) - Six (6) FAs covering separate geographical areas of the CONUS, excluding the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters west of 85W (Figure 7-1).
o Gulf of Mexico: The northern Gulf of Mexico, including the Houston Oceanic FIR, the Gulf of Mexico portion of the Miami Oceanic FIR, and the coastal waters west of 85W longitude (Figure 7-1 and 7-2).
o Caribbean Sea: Portions of the Gulf of Mexico (south of the Houston Oceanic FIR to approximately 22N latitude), the Caribbean Sea and adjacent portions of the North Atlantic (Figure 7-3).
• The Alaskan Aviation Weather Unit (AAWU)
o Alaska: Seven (7) FAs covering separate geographical areas of Alaska and the adjacent coastal waters, including the Pribilof Islands and Southeast Bering Sea (Figure 7-5).
• WFO Honolulu, Hawaii
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-1
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009) o Hawaii: The main Hawaiian Islands and adjacent coastal waters extending out 40 nautical miles from the coastlines (Figure 7-4).
Figure 7-1. AWC Area Forecast Regions- Contiguous U.S.
Figure 7-2. AWC Area Forecast Region and WMO Header - Gulf of Mexico
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-2
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009)
Figure 7-3. AWC Area Forecast Region and WMO Header - Caribbean
Figure 7-4. WFO Honolulu Area Forecast Region and WMO header - Hawaii
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-3
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009)
Figure 7-5. AAWU Flight Advisory and Area Forecast Zones - Alaska
Table 7-1. AAWU Area Forecast Zones – Alaska 1 Arctic Coast Coastal 14 Southern Southeast Alaska 2 North Slopes of the Brooks Range 15 Coastal Southeast Alaska 3 Upper Yukon Valley 16 Eastern Gulf Coast 4 Koyukuk and Upper Kobuk Valley 17 Copper River Basin 5 Northern Seward Peninsula-Lower Kobuk Valley 18 Cook Inlet-Susitna Valley 6 Southern Seward Peninsula-Eastern Norton Sound 19 Central Gulf Coast 7 Tanana Valley 20 Kodiak Island 8 Lower Yukon Valley 21 Alaska Peninsula-Port Heiden to Unimak Pass 9 Kuskowim Valley 22 Unimak Pass to Adak 10 Yukon-Kuskowim Delta 23 St. Lawrence Island-Bering Sea Coast 11 Bristol Bay 24 Adak to Attu 12 Lynn Canal and Glacier Bay 25 Pribilof Islands and Southeast Bering Sea 13 Central Southeast Alaska
7.1.2 Area Forecast Standardization All Area Forecasts follow these standards:
• All heights or altitudes are referenced to above mean sea level (AMSL), unless otherwise noted (i.e., prefaced by AGL or CIG), and annotated using the height in hundreds of feet, consisting of three digits (e.g., 040). For heights at or above 18,000 AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-4
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009) feet, the level is preceded by FL to represent flight levels (e.g., FL180). Tops are always referenced to AMSL.
• References to latitude and longitude are in whole degrees and minutes following the model: Nnn[nn] or Snn[nn], Wnnn[nn] or Ennn[nn] with a space between latitude and longitude and a hyphen between successive points. Example: N3106 W07118 – N3011 W7209
• Messages are prepared in abbreviated plain language using contractions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 7340.1Z for domestic products and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) document 8400 for international products issued for Oceanic FIRs. A limited number of non-abbreviated words, geographical names and numerical values of a self-explanatory nature may also be used.
• Weather and obstructions to visibility are described using the weather abbreviations for surface weather observations (METAR/SPECI). See the Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH) No. 1 – Surface Observations or Section 3.1 of this document.
Note…For AWC FAs, “CSTL WTRS” refer to water areas that extend from the coastline to the FIR boundary. “CSTL SXNS” refer to land areas along and near the coastline.
Note: Refer to Appendix A for definitions of common terms used in Area Forecasts.
7.1.3 Area Forecast Issuance Schedule Area forecasts are scheduled products issued at the following times.
Table 7-2. Area Forecast (FA) Issuance Schedule Boston and Miami (UTC) Chicago and Fort Worth (UTC) San Francisco and Salt Lake City (UTC) Gulf of Mexico (UTC) Caribbean (UTC) Hawaii (UTC) Alaska (UTC) 1st Issuance 0845 DT 0945 ST 0945 DT 1045 ST 1045 DT 1145Z ST 0130 0330 0340 0145 DT 0245 ST 2nd Issuance 1745 DT 1845 ST 1845 DT 1945 ST 1945 DT 2045Z ST 1030 0930 0940 0745 DT 0845 ST 3rd Issuance 0045 DT 0145 ST 0145 DT 0245 ST 0245 DT 0345 ST 1830 1530 1540 0145 DT 1445 ST 4th Issuance 2130 2140 1945 DT 2045 ST Note: DT – Daylight Time, ST – Standard Time, UTC – Coordinated Universal Time
7.1.4 Area Forecast Amendments Amendments are issued whenever the weather significantly improves or deteriorates based upon the judgment of the forecaster. These updates are those required to keep forecasts of non-AIRMET conditions representative of existing or expected conditions. “AMD” is included after the date/time group on the FAA product line. The date/time group on the WMO and FAA lines is updated to indicate the time of the correction. The ending valid time remains unchanged.
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-5
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009)
7.1.5 Area Forecast Corrections Area Forecasts containing errors will be corrected. “COR” is included after the date/time group on the FAA product line. The date/time group on the WMO and FAA lines is updated to indicate the time of the correction. The ending valid time remains unchanged.
7.1.6 Area Forecast Format – Conterminous U.S. (CONUS) Area forecasts issued for the conterminous U.S. (CONUS) cover the airspace between the surface and 45,000 feet AMSL and include the following forecast sections:
• Synopsis : A short description of significant synoptic weather systems affecting the area during the 18 hour valid period. This includes the location and movement of pressure systems and fronts. Air mass descriptions may be used in the absence of significant weather systems. References to low ceilings and/or visibilities, strong winds, or any other phenomena that the forecaster considers useful may also be included.
• VFR Clouds/Weather : A 12-hour specific clouds and weather forecast, followed by a 6-hour categorical outlook giving a total forecast period of 18 hours. This section gives a general description of clouds and weather which cover an area greater than 3,000 square miles and are significant to VFR flight operations. The forecasts are referenced to states or geographic areas. States are presented in the order listed within the header of the FA, however, portions of adjacent states may be grouped together when they are forecast to have similar conditions. The following weather elements, if applicable, are included in the following order for each 12-hour specific forecast:
o Sky condition (coverage, cloud base, and tops) if bases are higher than or equal to 1,000 feet AGL and at or below FL180. Heights are referenced to MSL unless preceded by AGL or CIG. Sky condition is not repeated for each new time group unless it is forecast to change.
o Surface visibilities and associated obstructions when visibility is between 3 and 5 statute miles and coverage is 3,000 square miles or greater. When no visibility value is forecast, it is implied to be greater than 5 statute miles.
o Weather (precipitation, including thunderstorms, fog, haze, blowing dust, etc.) if it results in visibilities of 3 to 5 statute miles.
o Significant wind information (direction and speed) if the surface wind is sustained at 20 knots or greater and/or gusts are greater than or equal to 25 knots.
A 6-hour categorical forecast follows the 12-hour specific clouds and weather forecast.
At a minimum, the category of the expected prevailing condition (IFR, MVFR, VFR) is stated in the outlook. If IFR or MVFR, the cause is listed (e.g., CIG, FG, BR, etc.). VFR stands alone except for wind (WND), thunderstorms (TSRA) and precipitation types (without intensities). The contraction “WND” is appended to any category if the sustained surface wind is expected to be 20kts or more or surface wind gusts are expected to be 25 knots or more during the majority of the 6-hour outlook period.
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-6
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009)
Figure 7-6. Area Forecast – CONUS Communication and Product Header Example
Table 7-3. Decoding a CONUS Area Forecast Communication and Product Header Line Content Description 1 DFW Area Forecast region identifier C Indicates VFR clouds and weather forecast FA Product type 120945 Issuance and beginning of valid date/time (UTC) 2 SYNOPSIS AND VFR CLDS/WX Statement of weather information contained in this forecast message 3 SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 130400 Synopsis valid date and time 4 CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 122200…OTLK VALID 122200-130400 The clouds and weather section valid time. The valid date and time of the outlook.
5 OK TX AR TN MS AL Description of the area for which the FA is valid.
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-7
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009)
Figure 7-7. Area Forecast - Clouds and Weather Element Example
The “Clouds and Weather” section above is decoded as follows:
South central and southeast Texas:
Scattered to broken bases at 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL). Tops at 3,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL). Visibility 3 to 5 statute miles in mist. Between 1400 and 1600 UTC…clouds bases becoming scattered at 3,000 feet AGL. 1900 UTC…scattered bases at 5,000 feet AGL. 12 to 18 hour categorical outlook…VFR.
Oklahoma:
Panhandle and northwest…scattered bases at 3,000 feet AGL, scattered to broken bases at 10,000 feet AGL. Tops at flight level 20,000 feet MSL. 1500 UTC…scattered bases at 4,000 feet AGL, scattered bases at 10,000 feet AGL. After 2000 UTC…scattered thunderstorms with rain showers developing..a few possible severe. Cumulonimbus tops to flight level 45,000 feet MSL. Outlook…VFR.
Remainder of the state…Ceilings broken at 2,000 feet AGL. Tops at 5,000 feet MSL.
Visibilities 3 to 5 statute miles in mist. 1400 UTC…scattered to broken bases at 4,000 feet AGL.
Tops at 10,000 feet MSL. 1800 UTC…ceilings broken 6,000 feet AGL. Tops to flight level 18,000 feet MSL. 2200 UTC…scattered thunderstorm with rain showers developing…a few possibly severe. Cumulonimbus tops above flight level 45,000 feet MSL. 12-18 hour categorical outlook…VFR.
7.1.6.1 Area Forecast – Conterminous U.S. (CONUS) Examples
7.1.6.1.1 Area Forecast – BOS Example
FAUS41 KKCI 081745 (ICAO product header) FA1W (NWS AWIPS Communication header) BOSC FA 081745 (Area forecast region, product type, issuance date/time)
SYNOPSIS AND VFR CLDS/WX SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 091200 AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-8
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009) CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 090600...OTLK VALID 090600-091200
ME NH VT MA RI CT NY LO NJ PA OH LE WV MD DC DE VA AND CSTL WTRS .
SEE AIRMET SIERRA FOR IFR CONDS AND MTN OBSCN.
TS IMPLY SEV OR GTR TURB SEV ICE LLWS AND IFR CONDS.
NON MSL HGTS DENOTED BY AGL OR CIG.
.
SYNOPSIS...18Z CDFNT 30N PQI-40E MPV-ALB-20N JHW LN. STNR FNT 20N JHW-ECK LN. STNR FNT EWC-ROD-IND LN. TROF 210SE SIE-170SE ECG LN CONTG SWD. HIGH WRN NC. 12Z STNR FNT FM LOW NR FWA ALG 20N CLE- JHW-ALB-30NNE BOS LN. CDFNT 30NNE BOS-120SE BGR LN. CDFNT FM LOW NR FWA ALG PXV-50SE FAM LN CONTG SWWD. HIGH NR ODF.
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ME NH VT NRN ME...SCT040 BKN060 TOP FL250. OCNL BKN040. SCT -SHRA/ISOL -TSRA. CB TOP FL350. 21Z BKN040. ISOL -SHRA. WND W G25KT. 03Z SKC. OTLK...VFR.
VT/NRN NH/RMNDR ME MTNS...SCT-BKN040 BKN060 TOP FL250. SCT SHRA/ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL350. 03Z BKN040. OCNL VIS 3-5SM BR.
OTLK...MVFR CIG BR.
SRN NH/RMNDR ME...SCT040 BKN100 TOP FL250. OCNL BKN040 IN WDLY SCT -SHRA/ISOL -TSRA BECMG AFT 19Z SCT TSRA. TS POSS SEV. CB TOP FL400. 04Z BKN020. WDLY SCT -SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA BR.
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MA RI CT CT CSTL PLAIN/RI/SERN MA...SKC. 21Z SCT040. ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL400. 03Z SKC. OCNL VIS 3-5SM BR. OTLK...IFR CIG BR.
RMNDR...SCT100. 19Z SCT040 BKN100 TOP 160. SCT TSRA POSS SEV. CB TOP FL450. 02Z BKN040. WDLY SCT SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG BR.
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NY LO LO/N CNTRL-NERN NY...SCT-BKN040 BKN060 TOP 160. SCT SHRA/ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL350. 03Z BKN040. WDLY SCT -SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA.
WRN-S CNTRL NY...BKN040 OVC060 TOP 160. SCT -TSRA. CB TOP FL450.
03Z BKN030. SCT SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA.
EXTRM SERN NY-LONG ISLAND...SKC. 21Z SCT040. ISOL TSRA. 03Z SKC.
OCNL VIS 3-5SM BR. OTLK...IFR CIG BR.
RMNDR NY...BKN050 TOP 160. SCT TSRA POSS SEV. CB TOP FL450. 03Z BKN040. SCT SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA.
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PA NJ WRN-N CNTRL PA...BKN040 OVC060 TOP FL220. SCT TSRA. CB TOP FL400.
03Z BKN060. SCT SHRA NWRN/N CNTRL PA. OTLK...VFR SWRN PA...MVFR CIG SHRA NWRN/N CNTRL PA.
S CNTRL-NERN PA...BKN060 TOP FL220. ISOL TSRA BECMG AFT 20Z SCT TSRA. CB TOP FL400. 03Z OVC060. SCT SHRA NERN PA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA NERN PA. MVFR CIG BR S CNTRL PA.
SERN PA-NRN NJ...SCT060. AFT 21Z ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL400. 03Z SKC OR SCT CI. OTLK...VFR.
SRN NJ...SKC OR SCT CI. OTLK...VFR.
.
AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-9
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009) OH LE LE/NRN 1/2 OH...BKN030 OVC060 TOP FL220. SCT TSRA POSS SEV. CB TOP FL450. OTLK...MVFR CIG TSRA.
SWRN 1/4 OH...SCT040 BKN100 TOP FL220. SCT TSRA POSS SEV. CB TOP FL450. 03Z BKN060. WDLY SCT TSRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG TSRA.
SERN 1/4 OH...SCT050 BKN100 TOP FL220. OCNL BKN050 IN WDLY SCT TSRA.
TS POSS SEV. CB TOP FL400. 03Z BKN060. OTLK...VFR.
.
WV W WV PNHDL-NWRN...SCT100.. 19Z BKN060 TOP FL220. TIL 03Z SCT SHRA/WDLY SCT TSRA. CB TOP FL450. OTLK...VFR.
SW...SCT080. AFT 20Z ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL400. 01Z SCT100 SCT CI. OTLK...VFR.
SERN WV...SCT070. 01Z SKC. OTLK...VFR BECMG 09Z IFR BR.
RMNDR...SCT080. 20Z SCT080 BKN100 TOP FL220. ISOL TSRA. CB TOP FL400. 03Z SCT-BKN CI. OTLK...VFR BECMG 09Z IFR BR.
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MD DC DE VA NRN 1/2 APLCNS...SCT080. 20Z SCT080 BKN100 TOP FL220. ISOL TSRA.
CB TOP FL400. 03Z SCT-BKN CI. OTLK...VFR BECMG 09Z IFR BR.
SRN 1/2 APLCNS...SCT070. 01Z SKC. OTLK...VFR BECMG 09Z IFR HZ BR.
SERN VA CSTL SXNS...SCT040. 04Z SCT-BKN100 TOP FL250. OTLK...VFR.
DC/DE/RMNDR MD/RMNDR VA...SCT040. 00Z SKC OR SCT CI. OTLK...VFR.
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CSTL WTRS ME/NH...SCT040 BKN100 TOP FL250. WDLY SCT SHRA/TSRA DVLPG 20-22Z.
CB TOP FL400. OTLK...VFR SHRA.
RMNDR N OF ACK...SKC. BECMG 2123 SCT040 BKN100 TOP FL250. WDLY SCT SHRA/TSRA. CB TOP FL400. OTLK...VFR SHRA.
S OF 30NE ORF-150SE SIE LN...SCT040 SCT CI. 03Z SCT-BKN100 TOP FL250. OTLK...VFR.
RMNDR...SCT060. 00Z SKC OR SCT CI. OTLK...VFR.
....
7.1.6.1.2 Area Forecast – SFO (FA) Example
FAUS46 KKCI 210245 (ICAO product header) FA6W (NWS AWIPS Communication header) SFOC FA 210245 (Area forecast region, product type, issuance date/time)
SYNOPSIS AND VFR CLDS/WX SYNOPSIS VALID UNTIL 212100 CLDS/WX VALID UNTIL 211500...OTLK VALID 211500-212100
WA OR CA AND CSTL WTRS .
SEE AIRMET SIERRA FOR IFR CONDS AND MTN OBSCN.
TS IMPLY SEV OR GTR TURB SEV ICE LLWS AND IFR CONDS.
NON MSL HGTS DENOTED BY AGL OR CIG.
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SYNOPSIS...SFC...03Z OCFNT SE AB-LOW PRES SCNTRL MT-NCNTRL UT- BTY-SRN CA. TROF SRN NV-SW AZ. TROF NERN PTNS WA CSTL WTRS-WRN AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-10
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009) PTNS OR CSTL WTRS. HI PRES RDG ECNTRL OR-NRN CA CSTL WTRS. 21Z CDFNT NERN MT-SERN WY-SRN CA. HI PRES RDG NCNTRL MT-SW OR. TROF NCNTRL CA-NR 60E SAC-SRN SIERNEV. ALF...03Z UPR LVL TROF NCNTRL WA-CNTRL CA. NWLY JTST OR CSTL WTRS-NW CA CSTLN. 21Z UPR LVL TROF SW BC-SW UT-SW AZ. NWLY JTST WRN WA-NERN CA-SERN CA-WRN AZ.
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WA CASCDS WWD CSTL...BKN015-025 OVC060 TOP 140. WDLY SCT -SHRA. 10Z OVC015 TOP
100. OTLK...MVFR CIG.
MTNS...OVC040-050 TOP FL180. VIS 3-5SM -RA/-SN ABV 040.
OTLK...IFR CIG SHSN SHRA BECMG MVFR CIG SHSN SHRA 19Z.
RMNDR...BKN035-045 TOP 150. 05Z BKN015-025 OVC050 TOP 160. WDLY SCT -SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG SHRA BECMG VFR 19Z.
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WA E OF CASCDS CNTRL WA...SCT-BKN CI. BECMG 0709 BKN110 TOP 150. OTLK...VFR.
ERN WA...OVC050 TOP FL180. ISOL -SHRA. 04Z SCT090 SCT-BKN CI. 10Z BKN050 OVC100 TOP 120. ISOL -SHRA. OTLK...MVFR CIG BECMG VFR SHRA 19Z.
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OR CASCDS WWD CSTL...BKN015-025 OVC060 TOP 140. WDLY SCT -SHRA. 10Z OVC015 TOP
100. OTLK...MVFR CIG.
NW INTR...BKN040 TOP 140. TIL 11Z WDLY SCT -SHRA. 12Z OVC025.
OTLK...MVFR CIG BECMG VFR SHRA 19Z.
N CASCDS...OVC040-050 TOP FL180. VIS 3-5SM -RA/-SN ABV 040.
OTLK...IFR CIG SHSN SHRA BECMG MVFR CIG SHSN SHRA 19Z.
SW INTR...SCT060. 12Z SCT-BKN040 BKN060 TOP 120. OTLK...VFR.
S CASCDS...SCT-BKN080 TOP 150. TIL 04Z ISOL -SHRA/-TSRA. CB TOP FL250. 05Z SCT090. OTLK...VFR.
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OR E OF CASCDS NW...SCT CI. WND NW 20G30KT. 08Z SCT-BKN080 BKN110 TOP 150. WND WLY G25KT. OTLK...VFR.
SW...BKN080 TOP 150. TIL 04Z ISOL -SHRA/-TSRA. CB TOP FL250. 05Z SCT090. OTLK...VFR...20Z WND.
NERN...BKN060 TOP 160. WDLY SCT -SHRA. 06Z SCT100. 11Z BKN050 OVC100 TOP 120. ISOL -SHRA. OTLK...VFR SHRA.
SE...SCT-BKN090 OVC120 TOP FL250. WDLY SCT -SHRA/ISOL -TSRA. CB TOP FL260. WND W G25KT. 07Z BKN090 TOP 150. OTLK...VFR...16Z WND.
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NRN CA...STS-SAC-TVL LN NWD CSTL SXNS N OF 40SSE FOT...BKN025 TOP 120. 09Z OVC010-020 TOP
100. OTLK...MVFR CIG BECMG VFR 18Z.
RMNDR CSTL SXNS...SKC. OTLK...VFR.
SHASTA-SISKIYOUS-NERN CA...SCT-BKN080 TOP 150. TIL 04Z ISOL -SHRA/-TSRA. CB TOP FL250. WND NW G25KT. 05Z SCT090. OTLK...VFR.
SAC VLY...SKC. TIL 06Z WND W G25KT. OTLK...VFR WND 16Z.
NRN SIERNEV...SCT100. ISOL -SHRA/-TSRA. CB TOP FL300. WND SW G25- 30KT. 09Z SCT120. OTLK...VFR.
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CNTRL CA AC 00-45F, CHG 2 Section 7: Forecast Text Products Page 7-11
Aviation Weather Services, Advisory Circular 00-45F, Change 2 (March 2009)
CSTL SXNS CSTLN N OF SNS...OVC010-015 TOP 020. WND W G25KT. 07Z SKC.
OTLK...VFR.
CSTLN SNS SWD...OVC010-015 TOP 020. 08Z SCT010. 10Z SKC.
OTLK...VFR...16Z.
INLAND...SKC. TIL 09Z WND NW G25-30KT. OTLK...VFR WND 16Z.
SAN JOAQUIN VLY...SKC. WND NW 20G30KT. OCNL BLDU. OTLK...VFR WND.
SRN SIERNEV...SKC. WND W 25G35KT. OTLK...VFR WND.
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SRN CA...VBG-NID-60NNW BIH LN SWD
CSTL SXNS CSTLN N OF LAX...SCT015. 10Z OVC015 TOP 025. 14Z SCT015.
OTLK...VFR...18Z WND.
CSTLN LAX SWD...OVC015-025 TOP 030. OTLK...VFR.
INLAND N OF LAX...SKC. OTLK...VFR.
INLAND LAX SWD...SKC. 07Z OVC010 TOP 030. VIS 3SM BR. OTLK...MVFR CIG HZ BECMG 20Z VFR WND.
COLORADO RIVER VLY...SKC. WND SW G25KT. OTLK...VFR WND BECMG 18Z MVFR BLDU BLSA WND.
INTR MTNS-DESERTS...SKC. WND NW 25G30-35KT. OCNL BLDU. OTLK...VFR WND.
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CSTL WTRS WA/OR/NRN CA...BKN015-025 OVC060 TOP 140. WDLY SCT -SHRA. WND NW G25KT. 10Z OVC015 TOP 100. OTLK...MVFR CIG.
CNTRL-SRN CA...SCT-BKN015 TOP 025. OCNL VIS 3-5SM BR. WND NW 20G30- 40KT. OTLK...VFR WND CNTRL CA...MVFR CIG WND SRN CA.
....
7.1.7 Area Forecast Format – Gulf of Mexico (FAGX) Area Forecasts issued for the Gulf of Mexico (FAGX) cover the airspace between the surface and 45,000 feet AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level) and include the following elements with each geographical section having an entry even if it is negative.
• Synopsis: This is a brief discussion of the significant synoptic weather affecting the FAGX area during the entire 24-hour valid period.
• Significant Clouds and Weather: This is a description of the significant clouds and weather for the first 12-hours including the following elements.
o Cloud amount (SCT, BKN or OVC) for clouds with bases below FL180 o Cloud bases and tops associated with the above bullet o Precipitation and thunderstorms o Visibility below 7 SM and obstruction(s) to visibility o Sustained surface winds greater than or equal to 20 knots o 12- to 24-hour categorical outlook (LIFR, IFR, MVFR or VFR)
• Icing and Freezing Level: Moderate or severe icing and freezing level. For the coastal waters portion of the FAGX, users will be referred to the appropriate CONUS AIRMET.
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