Meteorology for pilots

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Meteorology for pilots
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Principles Breakdown

• Basic Weather Theory
• Weather Patterns
• Weather Hazards

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Basic Weather Theory

• The Atmosphere

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The Atmosphere

• Troposphere
• Tropopause
• Stratosphere
• Mesosphere
• Thermosphere

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Atmosphere
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Atmospheric Pressure
Isobars Pressure gradients Trough area of
low Ridge-area of high High Low Col-neutral areas
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Coriolis Force
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Local Wind Patterns
Sea Breeze Land Breeze
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Clouds Clouds Clouds
Types of Clouds Low Clouds Fog Middle
Clouds High Clouds Clouds with Vertical
Development
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Low Clouds (Suface-6,500 ft)

• Stratus

Stratus clouds form when moist, stable air flows
upslope.
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Low Clouds

• Stratocumulus

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Low Clouds
Nimbostratus
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Middle Clouds (6,500-20,00 ft)
Altocumulus Clouds
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Middle Clouds

• Altostratus

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High Clouds (20,000 ft)

• Cirrus

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High Clouds

• Cirrostratus Clouds

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High Clouds
Cirrocumulus
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Clouds with Vertical Development

• Cumulus Clouds

Vertical cloud development and turbulence result
from the lifting of unstable air
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Clouds with Vertical Development
Towering Cumulus
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Clouds with Vertical Development

• Cumulonimbus Clouds

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Precipitation
Virga
Ice pellets at the surface are an indication of
a temperature inversion and freezing rain at a
higher altitude.
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Fronts

• Fronts are boundaries between airmasses

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Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts
Cold Front Warm Front
Steady precipitation with little turbulence
usually precedes a warm front.
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WEATHER HAZARDS
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Fog
Radiation Fog
Radiation fog forms in moist air over low, flat
areas on clear, calm nights.
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Fog
Advection Fog
Advection and upslope fog requires wind for
formation. Both types of fog commonly occur along
coastlines where sea breeze transport air from
warm water to the cooler land surfaces.
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Fog
Upslope Fog
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Fog
Steam Fog
Low-Level turbulence and aircraft icing are
associated with steam fog.
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Cumulus Stage
Mature Stage
Dissipating stage
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Lightning!
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Lightning
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Hail
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Why Hail Can be Bad
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Turbulence

• If you encounter turbulence in flight establish
  maneuvering speed and try to maintain a level
  flight attitude.

Low-Level Turbulence
Mechanical Turbulence
Convective Turbulence
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Mountain Wave Turbulence
Mountain wave turbulence can be anticipated when
the winds across a ridge are 40 knots or more,
and the air is stable.
The crest of mountain waves may be marked by
lens-shaped, or lenticular clouds.
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Icing
Visible moisture is necessary for structural
icing to form. Freezing rain usually produces
the highest rate of ice accumulation.
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Le Fin
Thank you come again.