11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H 5-120 Figure 5-58. High-Level SIGWX Chart Jet Stream—Example
Forecast maximum speeds of 100 kts at FL310 at one location and 120 kts at FL290 at another location. At the latter location, the base of the 80-knot wind field it FL210, and the top of the 80-knot wind field is FL340.
5.17.3.1.5 Tropopause Heights.
Tropopause heights are plotted at selected locations on the chart. They are enclosed by rectangles and plotted in hundreds of feet MSL (see Figure 5-59, High-Level SIGWX Chart Tropopause Height—Examples). Centers of high (H) and low (L) tropopause heights are enclosed by polygons and plotted in hundreds of feet MSL.
Figure 5-59. High-Level SIGWX Chart Tropopause Height—Examples
5.17.3.1.6 Tropical Cyclones.
Tropical cyclones, i.e., with surface wind speed 34 kts or greater, are depicted by the symbol depicted in Figure 5-60, High-Level SIGWX Chart Tropical Cyclone—Examples, with the storm’s name positioned adjacent to the symbol. Cumulonimbus clouds meeting chart criteria are identified and characterized relative to each storm.
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H 5-121 Figure 5-60. High-Level SIGWX Chart Tropical Cyclone—Examples
5.17.3.1.7 Volcanic Eruption Sites.
Volcanic eruption sites are identified by a trapezoidal symbol depicted in Figure 5-61, High-Level SIGWX Chart Volcanic Eruption Site—Example.
The dot on the base of the trapezoid identifies the location of the volcano. The name of the volcano, its latitude, and its longitude are noted adjacent to the symbol.
Figure 5-61. High-Level SIGWX Chart Volcanic Eruption Site—Example
5.17.3.1.8 Widespread Sandstorms and Duststorms.
Widespread sandstorms and duststorms are labeled with the symbol depicted in Figure 5-62, High-Level SIGWX Chart Widespread Sandstorm and Duststorm—Example. The vertical extent of sand or dust is specified by top and base heights, separated by a horizontal line. Sand or dust that extends below the lower limit of the chart (FL250) is identified with XXX.
Figure 5-62. High-Level SIGWX Chart Widespread Sandstorm and Duststorm—Example
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5.17.3.2 Issuance.
In accordance with the WAFS of the ICAO, High-Level SIGWX forecasts are provided for the en route portion of international flights.
High-Level SIGWX forecasts are issued as a global data set in digital format by two WAFCs, one at NWS’s AWC and the other at the United Kingdom’s Meteorological Office. Each center produces a global data set of significant weather that is then made available (displayed) in chart form for different areas of the globe. These charts are available on http://www.aviationweather.gov.
Corrections are issued for format errors or missing information. These charts are not amended.
Table 5-25. High-Level SIGWX FORECAST Issuance Schedule Issued (UTC) Valid (UTC) 0800 0000 (next day) 1400 0600 (next day) 2000 1200 (next day) 0200 1800
5.17.3.3 Use.
High-Level SIGWX forecasts are provided for the en route portion of international flights. These products are used directly by airline dispatchers for flight planning and weather briefings before departure and by flightcrew members during flight.
5.17.4 Alaska Significant Weather (SIGWX) Charts.
The Alaska SIGWX charts (see Figure 5-63, Alaska Significant Weather Chart— Example) are a series of four forecasts (24-hour, 36-hour, 48-hour, and 60-hour) valid at specified times. These charts provide a graphical overview of the specified forecast weather primarily for lower flight altitudes.
5.17.4.1 Issuance.
The AAWU issues the Alaska SIGWX charts. These charts are issued twice a day at 0530 and 1330 UTC during Alaska Standard Time, and 0430 and 1230 UTC during Alaska Daylight Time. The 1330/1230 UTC-issued 24-hour SIGWX chart may be updated around 2145/2045 UTC valid at 1200 UTC the next day.
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H 5-123 Figure 5-63. Alaska Significant Weather Chart—Example
5.17.4.2 Content.
5.17.4.2.1 Surface Pressure Systems and Fronts.
Pressure systems and fronts are depicted using standard symbols. Isobars are denoted by solid thin black lines and labeled with the appropriate pressure in millibars. The central pressure is plotted near the respective pressure center.
5.17.4.2.2 Areas of IFR and MVFR Weather Conditions.
Areas of forecast IFR and MVFR conditions are shown in red and blue hatching, respectively.
5.17.4.2.3 Freezing Levels.
Forecast freezing levels are depicted for the surface (dashed red line) and at 2,000-foot intervals (dashed green lines).
Note: Areas of in-flight icing forecasts are not included in the Alaska SIGWX forecasts.
5.17.4.2.4 Low-Level Turbulence.
Areas of forecast moderate or greater Non-Convective low-level turbulence are depicted with black dots. Turbulence altitudes are not included but can be
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H 5-124 considered as turbulence that is near the surface as a result of wind interactions with the terrain. In most cases, it would be within 6,000 ft above the terrain.
5.17.4.2.5 Thunderstorms.
Areas of forecast thunderstorms are depicted with red dots. Thunderstorm areal coverage, cloud bases, and tops are not included.
5.17.4.2.6 Use.
These charts provide a graphical overview of the specified forecast weather primarily for lower flight altitudes.
5.18 World Area Forecast System (WAFS).
ICAO’s WAFS supplies aviation users with global aeronautical meteorological en route forecasts suitable for use in flight-planning systems and flight documentation.
Two WAFCs, WAFC Washington and WAFC London, have the responsibility to issue the WAFS forecasts. WAFC Washington is operated by the NWS’s NCO in College Park, Maryland, and the AWC in Kansas City, Missouri. WAFC London is operated by the United Kingdom’s Meteorological Office in Exeter, United Kingdom.
5.18.1 WAFS Forecasts.
Both WAFC Washington and WAFC London issue the following WAFS forecasts in accordance with ICAO Annex 3, Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation.
• Global forecasts of:
o Upper wind and temperature (i.e., wind and temperature aloft, which is also issued in chart form for select areas);
o Upper-air humidity;
o Geopotential altitude of flight levels;
o Flight level and temperature of tropopause (i.e., tropopause forecast);
o Direction, speed, and flight level of maximum wind;
o Cumulonimbus clouds;
o Icing; and o Turbulence.
• Global forecasts of Significant Weather (SIGWX), i.e., High-Level Significant Weather (SIGWX) forecasts (see paragraph 5.17.3).
• Select regional areas of Medium-Level Significant Weather (SIGWX) forecasts (see paragraph 5.17.2).
Note: See paragraph 5.17.2.1 and paragraph 5.17.2 for details on the WAFS High-Level and Medium-Level SIGWX forecasts.
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5.18.1.1 Issuance.
The WAFS forecasts of upper wind, temperature, and humidity; direction, speed, and flight level of maximum wind; flight level and temperature of tropopause; areas of cumulonimbus clouds; icing; turbulence; and geopotential altitude of flight levels are issued four times a day by both WAFC Washington and WAFC London.
These forecasts are produced from weather computer models and are not modified by WAFC forecasters. WAFC Washington’s is from the GFS model.
These forecasts are issued in grid-point format, i.e., WMO GRIB2 format.
The grid-point horizontal resolution for the WAFS forecast is 1.25 degree latitude by 1.25 degree longitude. This is equivalent to a 75 x 75 NM grid box at the equator with the grid boxes becoming progressively smaller toward the poles.
These forecasts are valid for fixed valid times at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 hours after the time (0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 UTC) on which the forecasts were based.
5.18.1.2 WAFS Wind and Temperature.
Wind and temperature forecasts are issued for flight levels (FL) 050 (850 MB), 100 (700 MB), 140 (600 MB), 180 (500 MB), 240 (400MB), 270 (350 MB), 300 (300 MB), 320 (275 MB), 340 (250 MB), 360 (225 MB), 390 (200 MB), 410 (175 MB), 450 (150 MB) and 530 (100 MB).
Note: ICAO uses flight levels below 18,000 MSL for global weather products.
WAFC wind and temperature forecasts use a plotting model where the air temperature (degrees Celsius) is the center of the data point and the wind direction and speed follows the standard model (see Figure 5-64, WAFS Wind and Temperature 6-hour Forecast at FL 390—Example) with the exception that wind speed for points in the Southern Hemisphere is flipped. Note the data points do not correspond to any airports or reference points with names or identifiers.
WAFS global wind and temperature forecasts are provided in grid point format (e.g., computer format) for use in flight-planning systems. Chart format is also provided on the AWC’s Web page (under “Flight Folder”).
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H Figure 5-64. WAFS Wind and Temperature 6-hour Forecast at FL 390-Example PWNB20 WORLD AREA FORECAST CENTER WASHINGTON
• 69470* FL 390 WINDS/TEMPERATURES VALID OOUTC MAR 13 2015 BASED ON 18UTC MAR 2015
HIND SPEEDUMLESS POSITIVES UNSIGNED 159146017 60N 60N 60N A-58 AL 4195458 70W"47 FOW 50N 53/62 460 459 395-576061 614 47 49 48 53 58 61 41 64 65 40N 40N 85 51 38 60 88 9o 60,46 sa i56 "55456N5961462" 64 58 59 59 41-604-60461 62 30N 56 Wl:57 60 614601 56 30N 32 51 1ON 52 33" 82 89" 591-85 + 5a 10N '2'52 52'52 53 53 53 525 5251 SO 51 321-53,55 85A85 AS 20N 51 51 51 1 52 54 56 1-55 4: 55 10N 151 41 52 4: 52 | 52 A53 A53 AL53 4-5 1-524 524-824: 834-831 821-82105252 535531 70W 51 §OW 52 105 53153548548-548-557-55 54 205 95 867-33 88 36. 55 59 37 35 205 20S 55754754875487-5353 50 5052590-55856 589 82 518-518-5217-5587-571 58 491777150 77-558-568-598-611 8288 505 47*750 50S 12 904 5-126
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5.18.1.3 Humidity, Maximum Wind, Tropopause Forecasts.
No specific charts are issued for global upper-air humidity, maximum wind, height of tropopause, and altitude of flight levels. These products are provided in grid point format (e.g., computer format) for use in flight-planning systems.
Data from these forecasts are used by the WAFC forecasters to produce the High-Level and Medium-Level SIGWX forecasts, which contain tropopause and jet stream forecasts.
Humidity data is produced for FLs 50 (850 MB), 100 (700 MB), 140 (600 MB), and 180 (500 MB).
5.18.1.4 WAFS Turbulence, Icing, and Cumulonimbus Cloud Forecasts.
WAFS global turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus cloud forecasts are provided in grid point format (e.g., computer format) for use in flight-planning systems, but the AWC does make these available on their Web site in web display format and not chart format. The Web display allows the user to select various products and flight levels and view the forecasts as single time steps or in a movie loop sequence. More detailed information is provided on http://www.aviationweather.gov under WAFS Forecasts.
The WAFS global turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus cloud forecasts are actually a blend of the WAFC Washington global turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus cloud forecasts and the WAFC London global turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus cloud forecasts. In other words, each WAFC produces their own global turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus cloud forecasts using their own global computer models (WAFC Washington uses NCEP’s GFS model). The two WAFC’s forecasts, for turbulence, icing, and cumulonimbus cloud only, are then merged together to eliminate any differences between the two sets of forecasts.
WAFCs provide written guidance material on these WAFS forecasts, available on ICAO’s Meteorology Web page. Consult the Guidance on the Harmonized WAFS Grids for Cumulonimbus Cloud, Icing and Turbulence Forecasts - 11 September 2012 at http://www.icao.int/safety/meteorology/WAFSOPSG/Pages/GuidanceMaterial .aspx.
5.18.1.4.1 WAFS Turbulence.
Two kinds of turbulence forecasts are provided: Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) and in-cloud turbulence.
Clear Air Turbulence.
As of 2015, WAFS CAT forecasts are derived from an algorithm that is based on the Ellrod Index. The Ellrod Index results from an objective technique for forecasting CAT. The index is calculated based on the product of horizontal deformation and vertical wind shear derived from numerical model forecast
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H 5-128 winds aloft. Future upgrades to this product are planned, which may include replacing the Ellrod Index with global version of the GTG forecast (see paragraph 5.19.2).
The theoretical limit to the data range is zero to 99, but over 98 percent of the values will be below 11, and they will rarely exceed 40. The numbers are not a probability but are instead a potential of encountering turbulence of any severity. The WAFCs suggests that a value of 6 should be considered as a threshold for moderate or greater turbulence. AWC’s WAFS Web site provides a display (see Figure 5-65, WAFS CAT Forecast—Example) of WAFS forecasts, which includes CAT forecasts with values from 5 to 35.
CAT forecasts are produced for six vertical layers, each having a depth of 50 MB (see Table 5-26, WAFS Clear Air Turbulence Forecasts). Approximate equivalent flight levels for each of the layers are shown in the right column of the table. AWC’s WAFS Web site provides a display of WAFS forecasts, which includes CAT forecasts.
Table 5-26. WAFS Clear Air Turbulence Forecasts Layer centred at (MB) Layers from (MB) Approximate Flight level 150 125-175 410-480 200 175-225 360-410 250 225-275 320-360 300 275-325 280-320 350 325-375 250-280 400 375-425 220-250
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H Figure 5-65. WAFS CAT Forecast-Example World Area Forecast System Data INFO * Unofficial Display of WAFS Global Grids 6hr Forecast valid 12UTC Mon Mar 16 2015 Looping: << Loop Layers:
Overlays: • Layer-Top CAT FL300/300mb Opacity: 100% 10 15 20 25 30 • 35 ] FIR outlines • Layer-Mid CAT FL300/300mb Opacity: 100% $ 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
• Layer-Low CAT FL300/300mb • Opacity: 100% E 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 WAFS CAT 6-hour forecast for a layer centered at FL300 (300MB), i.e., from FL280 to FL320, for values from 5 (yellow shade) to 35 (red shade).
In-Cloud Turbulence.
The in-cloud turbulence algorithms are based on the model indicating the presence of a cloud and the change in potential energy with height, which is a measure of instability. The range of values in the data is from 0 to 1 and is a potential for encountering in-cloud turbulence. AWC's WAFS Web site provides a display of WAFS forecasts, which includes in-cloud turbulence.
In-cloud turbulence values from .005 to .035 are displayed (see Figure 5-66, WAFS Turbulence Forecast-Example).
In-cloud turbulence forecasts are produced for five vertical layers, each having a depth of 100 MB. Approximate equivalent flight levels for each of the layers are shown in the right column of Table 5-27, WAFS In-Cloud Turbulence Forecasts.
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11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H 5-130 Table 5-27. WAFS In-Cloud Turbulence Forecasts Layers centred at (MB) Layers from (MB) Approximate Flight level 300 250-350 270-340 400 350-450 210-270 500 450-550 160-210 600 550-650 120-160 700 650-750 080-120 Figure 5-66. WAFS Turbulence Forecast—Example
WAFS In-Cloud Turbulence 6-hour forecast (purple shade) for a layer centered at FL240 (400MB),
i.e., from FL210 to FL270.
5.18.1.4.2 Icing.
The icing forecasts are derived from algorithms that are based on a combination of cloud condensate (ice and water), temperature, relative humidity, and vertical motion parameters that predict the presence of super-cooled liquid droplets. The output is in a value range from 0 to 1 and is a potential for the presence of icing. The higher the value, the greater the risk of encountering icing. Future upgrades are planned to this model to change the output to indicate the severity of icing.
11/14/16 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-45H WAFS global icing forecasts are produced for six vertical layers, each having a depth of 100 MB (see Table 5-28, WAFS Global Icing Forecasts).
Approximate equivalent flight levels for each of the layers are given in the column of the Table 5-28. AWC's WAFS Web site provides a display of icing forecasts using a threshold of 0.7 or greater (see Figure 5-67, WAFS Icing Forecast-Example).
Table 5-28. WAFS Global Icing Forecasts Layer centered at (MB) Layers from (MB) Approximate flight levels 300 250-350 270-340 400 350-450 210-270 500 450-550 160-210 600 550-650 120-160 700 650-750 080-120 800 750-850 050-080 Figure 5-67. WAFS Icing Forecast-Example World Area Forecast System Data INFO Unofficial Display of WAFS Global Grids 6hr Forecast valid 12UTC Mon Mar 16 2015 Looping: << Loop Layers:
Overlays: • Layer-Top Icing FL140/600mb © Opacity: 100% £ 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
- FIR outlines • Layer-Mid Icing FL140/600mb • Opacity: 100% • 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
• Layer-Low Icing FL140/600mb © Opacity: 100% € 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 A 6-hour forecast of icing (blue shade) for a layer centered at FL140 (600MB), i.e., from FL120 to FL160, using a threshold of 0.7 or greater.
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