/wsom/manual/IMAGES/D361.GIF
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEDecember 12, 1978
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 78-23
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
1. Material Transmitted:
Entire Revised WSOM Chapter D-36, International Aviation Service Arrangements.
2. Summary:
We've rewritten the entire chapter. Major changes include:
a. Updated listings of meteorological offices serving International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regular and alternate airports and the meteorological services available at those airports (exhibits D-36-1 and D-36-2).
b. Updated listings (headings and contents) of terminal and area forecasts stored in the Kansas City Weather Message Switching Center (WMSC) computer to serve international flights (appendices B, C, and E).
c. Additional area forecasts -- from New Zealand, Fiji, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina-- shown as stored in the WMSC (appendix E).
d. Deletion of the separately issued appendix A to chapter D-36. Its data listings are now included as appendices to the main chapter (appendices B, C, D, E, F, and G).
e. Revision of the chapter to conform with current standards and recommended practices of ICAO, as given by the new eighth edition of ICAO Annex 3. Among other changes, the new annex calls for required meteorological services to be stated by ICAO instead of calling for the operation of Class I, II, and III meteorological offices as a way of stating requirements (exhibit D-36-1).
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
This issuance supersedes WSOM Chapter D-36, Issuance 75-2, dated January 23, 1975; OMl Issuances 7-77, 9-77, and 11-77, dated July 15, 1977, September 16, 1977, and November 7, 1977, respectively; appendix A to chapter D-36, Issuance 75-12, dated June 5, 1975, Issuance 75-28, dated December 29, 1975, and Issuance 76-19, dated August 6, 1976.
George P. Cressman
Director, National Weather Service
Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
12-12-78 W116x2 Operations Manual D 36
Table of Contents:
1. Purpose
2. General
2.1 Correspondence with Foreign MET Services
3. Organization of MET Service
4.1 Definition of Unique Terms
4.2 Preflight Planning Information and Flight Documentation
4.3 Operational Planning for Aircraft in Flight
4.4 Briefing and Display
4.5 Retention of Weather Documentation Materials
5.1 Special Precautions Regarding Requests for Service
5.2 NWS Policy on the Provision of Weather Data for Centralized Dispatch
5.3 At Airport Meteorological Offices Designated to Provide International Service
5.4 At Airport Meteorological Offices Not Designated to Provide International Service
6.1 Stocking and Issue of AIREP Flight Log
6.2 Collection and Disposition of AIREP Forms
Exhibits:
D-36-1 Weather Service Offices Located at ICAO Regular International Aerodromes
D-36-2 Weather Service Offices Located at ICAO Alternate International Aerodromes
D-36-3 ICAO-Approved List of Contractions and/or Abbreviations
Appendices:
A. How to get TAF's that are Missing or not Routinely Received at Regular International Aerodromes
B. TAF's Regularly Stored at the WMSC (By City)
C. TAF's Regularly Stored at the WMSC (By Bulletin)
D. Mexican Terminal Forecasts Stored at WMSC
E. Area Forecast Bulletins Stored at WMSC
F. ARMET Bulletins Stored at WMSC and/or NMC
G. NMC Plain Language Wind and Temperature Amendment Bulletins Stored at WMSC
1. Purpose. This chapter shows regional headquarters and field offices how to meet valid international aviation meteorological (MET) requirements.
2. General. The United States, as a Contracting State in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is responsible for providing MET service to international flights departing from or bound for airports in its territory or otherwise traversing the airspace over its territory. The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of this service. He is also responsible for making any arrangements with foreign MET services which are needed in connection with the provision of service.
International air service is air service which passes through the airspace over the territory of more than one country, while domestic air service is air service which passes through the airspace over only one country.
However, flights between the conterminous United States and Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, any United States overseas possession, or Pacific Trust Territory (or any two of the last mentioned five), although formally classed as domestic flights, are provided with international type documentation. Flights between the conterminous United States and Canada which originate in either country and terminate in the other, though formally classed as international flights, normally receive, by agreement with Canada, domestic-type service and briefings. Flights originating in the United States that overfly Canada, or which are scheduled to make an intermediate stop only in Canada before continuing to a destination outside Canada, are entitled to receive international-type documentation. A flight between two points in the conterminous United States that originated outside the conterminous United States or will terminate at a destination outside the conterminous United States is entitled to receive international-type documentation, on request, for the route segment between the two points in the conterminous United States; otherwise, domestic-type service and briefing will be provided.
2.1 Correspondence with Foreign MET Services. Correspondence regarding service to international aviation will be conducted according to the following precepts.
a. The Administrator of NOAA is responsible for correspondence with directors of foreign MET services. The Director, National Weather Service (NWS), has been delegated the authority, however, to correspond directly with directors of foreign MET services on operational matters covered by existing policy.
b. In an urgent case, dealing with operational matters covered by existing policy, any of these five people may contact others having comparable functions and status in foreign MET services: the Director, National Meteorological Center (NMC); the Director, National Hurricane Center (NHC); or Meteorologists in Charge of the Honolulu, San Francisco, or San Juan forecast offices. Contact is normally by telecommunications means. Tell Weather Service Headquarters (W116x2) and regional headquarters, as soon as possible, about any such correspondence.
c. Remember, the Administrator of NOAA is responsible for final arrangements with foreign MET services. Arrangements that could prejudice final approval should not be made at the field level.
3. Organization of MET Service. ICAO designates (in Air Navigation Plans) Area Forecast Centers (AFC's) and Meteorological Watch Offices (MWO's). There is one U.S. AFC (the National Meteorological Center). There are six U.S. MWO's (New York, San Juan, Miami, San Francisco, Anchorage, and Honolulu). AFC and MWO functions and the functions of aerodrome and other meteorological offices are described by ICAO Annex 3, chapter 3. Certain required meteorological services, such as briefing or flight documentation or both, are stated by ICAO, but the methods and means of meeting the required services are determined by the Meteorological Authority designated by the ICAO Contracting State.
4. Services Provided. The recommended procedures for providing MET services to international air navigation are contained in five basic ICAO documents.
a. Annex 3, Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation, prescribes the basic MET obligations of ICAO Contracting States in serving international air navigation and presents the detailed procedures and guidance considered desirable for uniform fulfillment of the basic obligations.
b. Regional Supplementary Procedures, Doc. 7030, takes account of the different operating conditions encountered in various parts of the world.
c. Air Navigation Plans now include many of the regional procedures developed by Regional Air Navigation meetings,
d. Location Indicators, Doc. 7910, contains a list of location indicators for geographical locations throughout the world.
e. PANS-ICAO Abbreviations and Codes, Doc. 8400, contains abbreviations and codes approved for worldwide use in the international aeronautical telecommunication service and in aeronautical documents.
Offices at regular ICAO international aerodromes (exhibit D-36-1) are obligated to provide service in accordance with ICAO procedures. Offices located at ICAO alternate international aerodromes (exhibit D-36-2) or at other than ICAO international airports are not required to follow the same procedures in providing service for international aviation; however, they should provide whatever service data and work force limitations will allow. Service for international aviation consists basically of operational planning information, briefing, documentation, area MET watch, and issuance of SIGMET information.
Keep in mind that not all users of the plain language forecasts (FACA, FAPA, FANT) use English as a native language. It is mandatory, therefore, that you take all contractions and/or abbreviations used in these forecasts, and in SIGMET's prepared for international use, from the ICAO-approved list in exhibit D-36-3. SPELL OUT all other words in the forecast.
4.1 Definition of Unique Terms. Certain terms have unique definitions when they apply to service to international aviation. These are:
a. "Requirement" is a valid need, not necessarily something the U.S. is required to provide. Paragraph 2.1.3 of Annex 3 is applicable.
b. "Provide" is used solely in connection with the provision of service, including copies of appropriate forecasts; i.e., flight documentation.
c. "Issue" is used solely with cases where the obligation specifically extends to sending out the MET information.
/wsom/manual/IMAGES/D361.GIF
file:///C:NOAAFINAL/BOOK2/D362.GIF
/wsom/manual/IMAGES/D363.GIF
d. "Make available" is used solely with cases where the obligation ends with making the information accessible in the meteorological office.
e. "Supply" is used solely in cases where either c. or d.applies.
4.2 Preflight Planning Information and Flight Documentation. This is the main meteorological service provided for a departing aircraft. This service often encompasses the information for both preflight planning and crew documentation. As a rule, the service consists of sets of copies of appropriate facsimile charts and aerodrome forecasts, selected according to the type of aircraft and the route to be flown. For low-level flights in the Caribbean area, the eastern Pacific and the North Atlantic copies of teleprinter data are provided, partly or entirely, in place of charts. Service for preflight planning should be provided as soon as the data become available but not later, if possible, than 3 hours before departure. Service for crew documentation only should be provided as shortly before departure as practicable. Service for both preflight planning and crew documentation should be updated, if later forecasts are available, either by the provision of new information in hard-copy form or by briefing, consultation, and/or display, as appropriate to the functions of the responsible office. Provide chart documentation with valid time(s) as close as possible to the mid-point time of a flight and the most recent TAF's available that are valid for the estimated time of arrival.
a. Chart Selection. The route to be flown determines the type of projection most suitable to the needs of the flight. A flight entirely within the tropics should normally be provided with Mercator charts. One entirely within middle and/or high latitude regions should normally be provided with Polar Stereographic charts. A flight traversing both the tropics and the extratropics should normally be provided charts on the projection most suitable to the ma;or portion of the route. There are some flights, however, which must be documented with charts on both projections (such as Anchorage Honolulu flights). With the preceding in mind and considering also the type of aircraft to be flown, the following selection of charts is suggested.
| Aircraft Type | Chart Selection Tropics | Chart Selection Extratropics |
| Piston | 700 mb and/or 500 mb; Sig Wx (Sfc to 400 mb) |
Same |
| Turbo-prop | 500 mb; 300 mb;Sig Wx (Sfc to 400 mb) |
Same, except 250 mb in place of 300 mb |
| Subsonic jet | 300 mb; 200 mb; SigWx (400 to 150 or 70 mb) |
250 mb; T-VWS; Sig Wx (400 to 150 or 70 mb) |
| Long range Subsonic jet | Same as normal range subsonic jet, plus a 150 mb chart | |
| Supersonic jet | Same as normal range subsonic jet, plus a 100 mb chart |
b. Preparation of Flight Documentation. Give the Pilot in Command (PIC) or the designated representative a set of flight documentation containing appropriate charts and aerodrome forecasts. Include copies of undecoded TAF's received through international exchanges, copies of the appropriate prog charts, and WS Form D-6, Key to International Documentation. For low-level flights in the Caribbean area and over the eastern Pacific, give copies of plain language forecasts (FACA's and FAPA's) and appropriate terminal forecasts, as well as a WS Form D-6. An aerodrome forecast (and amendments) used in providing MET service for international flights is normally the forecast for the aerodrome provided by the country/ state in which the aerodrome is located. If you can't get such a forecast, try to get a provisional forecast; or if the office is a WSFO, it may prepare a provisional forecast. (See WSOM Chapter D-37, International Aviation Aerodrome Forecasts for guidance.) If you use a provisional forecast, write the word "Provisional" next to it on the copy of the TAF you give to the PIC or the operator's local representative (OLR).
c. General Guidance on Chart and Other Data Selection. Offices that provide preflight planning information and/or flight documentation service should provide the charts and other data to the OLR or the PIC to include any or all of the following.
(1) A statement of the general synoptic situation --usually a copy of the appropriate combination significant weather (SIGWX)-surface prog chart(s), or significant weather teleprinter bulletins -- is enough.
(2) Copies of applicable aerodrome forecasts, including those for destination airport and alternates, departure airport and alternates, and en route alternates. You may use TAF's, aviation symbolic terminal forecasts (such as FT) or the Caribbean-type plain language aerodrome forecasts (such as contained in the FTCA).
(3) Forecasts of winds, temperatures aloft, and tropopause topography. Usually copies of the appropriate constant pressure and/or tropopause-vertical wind shear (TVWS) charts, or copies of appropriate bulletins of grid-point winds and temperatures, are enough.
(4) Appropriate predeparture amendments to the flight and aerodrome forecasts, to include copies of any applicable SIGMET's (and any AIREP specials for which SIGMET's have not been issued) received before pickup of the flight documentation. If agreed upon locally, enter applicable SIGMET information directly onto a documentation chart instead of furnishing copies of the SIGMET's.
(5) Preflight planning information also includes the provision of MET data in digital form for computer flight planning. This is described in WSOM Chapter D-32, Aviation Digital Forecasts. NMC makes these forecasts available twice daily.
Give assistance as necessary in explaining the forecasts or refer the OLR or PIC to an appropriate office for assistance.
d. Reproduction and Quality of Facsimile Charts. Some operators prefer to make their own documentation from data received from their own drops on facsimile or teletypewriter circuits. Operators who don't have these drops may arrange for this service with others.
Stations should have suitable reproduction equipment for chart or forecast duplication. Stations without such equipment should advise their regional headquarters and made needed arrangements. Charts reproduced for international flights are at NWS expense. Charts reproduced for domestic flights are at the operator's expense.
Charts provided to operators should be legible over at least 95 percent of their area. If your charts should fail to be up to this level of quality at any time, make every effort to remedy the deficiency as quickly as possible. If local efforts do not resolve the problem, advise your regional headquarters and ask for an urgent solution to the problem.
4.3 Operational Planning for Aircraft in Flight. Give this information upon request. It should consist of any or all of the following, relevant to the flight in progress: (1) available routine and special reports, (2) aerodrome forecasts and amendments, (3) landing forecasts, (4) SIGMET's and appropriate special AIREP's, and (5) upper-air information. The operator is obligated to notify the appropriate MET office in advance, preferably before departure, of the requirement for en route service, so the forecast can be ready before requirement time. You can provide this service by making copies of the latest terminal forecasts and upper wind and temperature forecasts including amendments (in chart or grid-point form) available to the OLR who will determine the operational significance of the later forecast information and relay the information to the aircraft. (A somewhat different procedure, developed specifically for serving aircraft in flight in the Pacific area,is described in WSOM Chapter D-35.)
4.4 Briefing and Display. An international aviation briefing is about the same as a domestic one. Briefing displays for offices regularly serving international aviation should include selected charts from the appropriate facsimile circuit and TAF's, in addition to hourly and special reports and forecasts and other data (such as SIGMET's, PIREP's, AIREP's, and satellite data) normally displayed for domestic briefings. The type and number of additional charts, other data, and forecasts to be displayed will depend on the routes and altitudes for which briefings are provided. No one shall actually revise a chart or forecast received from the AFC. However, if the forecaster or briefer believes the weather en route or at the destination will be different from that forecast, he is obligated to tell the flight crew or OLR about the difference and must make a note of the expected difference for record purposes.
Sometimes amendments or SIGMET's may come out after you've handed out the flight documentation and before aircraft takeoff. Give copies of them to the OLR to pass on to the PIC. You should have a local agreement specifying whether the amendments will be "issued" to the OLR or "made available" to the OLR, as described in subsection 4.1.
4.5 Retention of Weather Documentation Materials. NOAA directives require retention of forecast records for a period of 5 years: the first 3 years on station and the last 2 years either on station or the nearest regional Federal Archives and Records Center. These records include papers under such titles as forecasts, warnings, advisories, bulletins, alerts, watches, outlooks, summaries, and statements on anticipated atmospheric and hydrologic conditions.
All offices that prepare operational forecast charts (original) for flight planning and/or prepare aerodrome forecasts (originals) shall comply with this requirement. Stations only providing (assembling) documentation materials don't have to retain file copies of documentation materials provided. However, documenting stations shall maintain a log of all documentations furnished. Retain the log on station for at least 5 years. Items that should be on the log are: (1) datetime, (2) airline flight number, (3) documentation material provided, including the valid time of charts and valid period of TAF's.
5.1 Special Precautions Regarding Requests for Service. Send individual requests for service to regional headquarters for coordination with WS Headquarters (Attn: W116x2), especially when they involve new service, priority of existing service, or work force considerations.
5.2 NWS Policy on the Provision of Weather Data for Centralized Dispatch. Our policy is to provide MET service at the airport of departure. This conforms with ICAO Standards and Procedures. If the operator wants the information at another location, make it available to the OLR wherever it exists in the NWS system. He can relay it to the central dispatch office at his expense. This is in agreement with the principle established at the Third Air Navigation Conference, Part VII, section 4, paragraph 4.4.2.2(b), as follows:
"When the arrangements made in accordance with 4.4.2(a) do not meet completely the requirements of the OLR, they should be supplemented by the transmission to him of the necessary additional information from the OLR associated with the Meteorological Office at which the information is normally available...."
The Third Air Navigation Conference established this principle in recognition of the communications problems which would result if we used government circuits to transmit all information asked for to wherever it's wanted for centralized operations control/dispatch services.
5.3 At Airport Meteorological Offices Designated to Provide International Service. Offices located at regular international aerodromes (exhibit D-36-1) are designated to provide international service. According to ICAO Annex 3, the operator is required to state his meteorological service requirements to the MET Authority or MET office(s) concerned. If you get service requests for new routes or operations or planned nonscheduled operations, provide the service if the required forecasts are reasonably available, including through the Weather Message Switching Center (WMSC). If it's an unusual flight, requiring special arrangements, forward details through your regional headquarters to WS Headquarters (W116), with suggestions for providing the service. Don't make any final commitment in such instances until approved by WS Headquarters. The operator should give reasonable advance notice: as much as a full month if special communications or forecast service arrangements must be made and not less than 2 months if coordination with a foreign meteorological service is required. When lead time before operations begin is not in accordance with the preceding, the office concerned should either:
a. provide the service requested, if at all possible, until WS Headquarters gives approval of the service arrangement or an alternate plan; or
b. advise the operator that you can't provide the service because of insufficient advance notice. (This is rather drastic; do it only if absolutely necessary.)
5.4 At Airport Meteorological Offices Not Designated to Provide International Service. Stations other than those at regular international aerodromes sometimes get requests for service for international flights. They generally get such requests on short notice. The requests require an immediate decision. Although such stations have no legal obligation to do so, they should try to help the pilot get the service. This service doesn't have to be according to ICAO Annex 3. Here are some possible courses of action.
a. The simplest thing is to suggest the flight, operate as a domestic flight to a regular international airport where international MET service is available.
(1) Flights across the Atlantic: suggest Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, New York/Kennedy, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Washington (Dulles).
(2) Flights to Mexico, Caribbean, Central or South America: suggest Los Angeles, New Orleans, Houston, Miami, or Dallas (Dallas-Ft. Worth Regional).
(3) Flights across the Pacific: suggest Seattle (Seattle-Tacoma), San Francisco, or Los Angeles.
b. If the flight is nonstop to a point outside the United States (except Alaska and Hawaii) or Canada, there are two alternatives.
(1) If you get the request for MET service at least 24 hours before proposed departure time:
(a) the WSO's should send a message by request/ reply to the WMSC and ask for the appropriate grid-point wind and temperature bulletins, TAF's, and plain language significant weather bulletins. FAA Handbook 7110.10D, Part II, Chapter 7, Section 1, tells how to make a request message. When you get the forecasts, you can either use them to brief the pilot or give them to the OLR, as received, for the pilot's own use.
(b) the WSFO's should either use the bulletins they get routinely, or get the needed bulletins by request message over WMSC dedicated circuits.
(2) If you get the request less than 24 hours before proposed departure time:
(a) if there's time, use the teleprinter procedures described before to get the information.
(b) if there isn't time, ask the PIC to contact the nearest airport station designated to provide international service. The call will have to be at the PIC's expense.
6. Aircraft Observations. ICAO procedures require aircraft observations be recorded on the AIREP form. WS Form D-8, AIREP Flight Log, is a copy of the essential features of the AIREP form, ICAO Model AR.
6.1 Stocking and Issue of AIREP Flight Log. The Central Logistics Supply Center, Kansas City, Missouri, stocks WS Form D-8 in quantities needed by offices that provide flight documentation and/or briefing for international aviation. Most air carriers supply their own AIREP forms, so the demand for our form may be small. Nevertheless, offices serving international aviation should have a supply available in case of need. Aircraft observations are a very important data source, especially in data-sparse areas, so the need for a supply of AIREP Flight Logs is obvious.
6.2 Collection and Disposition of AIREP Forms. Offices located at airports where international flights operate should collect completed AIREP forms -- either WS Form D-8, a form issued by an air carrier or an AIREP form issued by another government -- and forward them the first of each month to the National Climatic Center, Asheville, N.C.
How toget TAF's that are Missing or not Routinely
Received at Regular International Aerodromes.
1. If the TAF is sent routinely to your office, but the latest forecast is missing, you should try to get the forecast through request/ reply from the Kansas City switch (WMSC). You can't get a single TAF this way, but must request the entire bulletin. Appendix B lists TAF's by city name and shows what bulletin they're in. Appendix C lists TAF's by bulletin heading, so you can see what other TAF's you'll get. The request/reply procedure is in the Flight Service Handbook 7110.10D, Part II, Chapter 7-, Section 1. Send the request message using the "RC" message format. If you get a negative response (NO RPRT AVBL), send an addressed message to Suitland (KWBCYM) via Service B or AFTN, if available.
| GG KWBCYM | (Priority and Suitland address) |
| 141500 KDTWYM | (Date/time group and requesting office address) |
| FTIY31 LIIB NOT RCVD CIRCUIT 8286. | TAF FOR LIFR URGENTLY REQUIRED. |
2. If the TAF is not sent routinely to your office but is being sent routinely to Suitland (those TAF's listed in Appendix B), use the request/reply procedure described in the first example. If you get either a "NO RPRT AVBL" or "NOT IN SYS" response, send an addressed message to Suitland (KWBCYM) via Service B or AFTN, if available. Use this format.
GG KWBCYM
141500 KDTWYM
PLEASE SEND LAmanual TAF FOR EDDF IN FTDL31 EDZO FOR SPECIAL RQST.
3. If the TAF isn't sent routinely to Suitland, send message via Service B or AFTN, if available, to Suitland asking them to get it for you. They'll contact the foreign office making the TAF. If it's available, it will be sent to Suitland, and Suitland will forward it to you. Use the format in this example.
GG KWBCYM
141500 KDTWYM
PLEASE SEND 24-HOUR TAF FOR LEMG IN FTSP LEMM VALID FROM 141800 GMT. NEED IT FOR SPECIAL FLIGHT.
| HEADING | CONTENTS | |
| FTAG SAEZ | SAEZ | BUENO SAIRES |
| FTAK PADK | PADK | ADAK |
| FTAK PAED | PAED | ANCHORAGE/ELMENDORF |
| FTAK PAEI | PAEI | FAIRBANKS/EIELSON |
| FTAK2 PAED | PASY | SHEMYA |
| FTAK31 PAFA | PAFA | FAIRBANKS/INT'L |
| FTAK31 PANC | PANC | ANCHORAGE/INT'L |
| PAKN | KING SALMON | |
| PACD | COLD BAY | |
| FTAS31VHHH | VHHH |
HONG KONG |
| FTAU31 ASSY | AAAD | ADELAIDE |
| ABBN | BRISBANE | |
| ADDN | DARWIN | |
| ADTN | TINDAL | |
| ASAS | ALICE SPRINGS | |
| AMML | MELBOURNE | |
| ASSY | SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) | |
| FTAZ LPAZ | LPAZ | SANTA MARIA |
| LPPD | PONTA DELGADA | |
| FTAZ LPLA | LPLA | LAJES |
| FTBA20 MYNN | MYNN | NASSAU |
| MYGF | FREEPORT | |
| MYER | ROCK SOUND | |
| FTBE MXKF | MXKF | BERMUDA |
| FTBO SLLP | SLCB | COCHABAMBA |
| SLCZ | SANTA CRUZ | |
| SLLP | LA PAZ (SOUTH AMERICA) | |
| SLTR | TRINIDAD | |
| FTBX ELLX | ELLX | LUXEMBOURG |
| FTBX31 EBBR | EBBR | BRUXELLES |
| EBOS | OOSTENDE | |
| FTBZ SBBR | SBBE | BELEM |
| SBBR | BRASILIA | |
| SBMN | MANAUS | |
| SBOI | OIAPOQUE | |
| SBSL | SAO LUIS | |
| SBBV | BOA VISTA | |
| SBSN | SANTAREM | |
| FTBZ SBGL | SBGL | RIO DE JANEIRO |
| FTBZ SBPA | SBPA | PORTO ALEGRE |
| FTBZ SBSP | SBSP | SAO PAULO |
| SBCG | CAMPO GRANDE | |
| SBKP | CAMPINAS | |
| SBSJ | SAO JOSE | |
| FTCA MUGM | MUGM GUANTANAMO (U.S. NAVAL AIR BASE) | |
| FTCAl MACC | MACC |
WILLEMSTAD |
| MACA | ORANJESTAD | |
| FTCAl MDSD | MDSD | SANTO DOMINGO |
| FTCAl MFFD | MFFF | FORT-DE-FRANCE |
| MFFR | POINT-A-PITRE | |
| FTCAl MHTG | MGGT | GUATAMALA |
| MSSS | SAN SALVADOR | |
| MHTG | TEGUCIGALPA | |
| MHLM | SAN PEDRO SULA | |
| MHLC | LA CEIBA | |
| MZBZ | BELIZE | |
| MNMG | MANAGUA | |
| MROC | SAN JOSE | |
| FTCAl MJNR | MJNR | ROOSEVELT ROADS |
| FTCAl MKPA | MKPA | ST. JOHNS |
| FTCAl MKPB | MKPB | BRIDGETOWN |
| MKPL | VIEUX-FORT | |
| FTCA20 MKPP | MKPP | PORT-OF-SPAIN |
| MKPT | SCARBOROUGH | |
| MKPE | GRENADA | |
| MKPB | BRIDGETOWN | |
| MACC | WILLEMSTAD | |
| MACA | ORANJESTAD | |
| MKPL | VIEUX-FORT | |
| FTCA31 KMIA | MTPP | PORT-AU-PRINCE |
| FTCA31 MJSJ | MJSJ | SAN JUAN |
| FTCA32 MJSJ | MIST | ST. THOMAS |
| MISX | ST. CROIX | |
| MACM | PHILIPSBURG | |
| MKPK | ST. KITTS | |
| MJPS | PONCE | |
| FTCA33 MJSJ | MJMZ | MAYAGUEZ |
| MJBQ | AGUADILLA | |
| FTCA5 MKJP | MKJP | KINGSTON |
| MKJS | MONTEGO BAY | |
| MKCR | GEORGETOWN (GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND) | |
| FTCI RCTP | RCTP | TAIPEI |
| RCKH | KAOHSIUNG | |
| FTCN30 CYEG | CYEG | EDMONTON |
| CYYC | CALGARY | |
| CYFB | FROBISHER BAY | |
| FTCN31 CWHX | CYHZ | HALIFAX |
| CYQY | SYDNEY (N.S.) | |
| FTCN32 CYQX | CYJT | STEPHENVILLE |
| CYYR | GOOSE | |
| CYQX | GANDER | |
| FTCN33 CWUL | CYOW | OTTAWA |
| CYUL | MONTREAL/DORVAL | |
| CYMX | MONTREAL/MIRABEL | |
| FTCN34 CYWG | CYWG | WINNIPEG |
| FTCN35 CYVR | CYQQ | COMOX |
| CYXX | ABBOTSFORD | |
| CYVR | VANCOUVER | |
| FTCN37 CYYZ | CYQG | WINDSOR |
| CYYZ | TORONTO | |
| FTCN38 CWHX | CYSU | SUMMERSIDE |
| CYZX | GREENWOOD | |
| CYAW | SHEARWATER | |
| FTCN39 CYYZ | CYTR | TRENTON |
| FTCO MCBO | MCBO | BOGOTA |
| MCBQ | BARRANQUILLA | |
| MCCG | CARTAGENA | |
| MCCL | CALI | |
| MCMD | MEDELLIN | |
| MCSP | SAN ANDRES | |
| FTCU MUHA | MUHA | HAVANA |
| MUVR | VARADERO | |
| MUCM | CAMAGUEY | |
| FTCV20 GVAC | GVAC | SAL ISLAND |
| FTCY31 LCLK | LCLK | LARNACA |
| FTDG20 MEZY | MEZY | ZANDERY |
| FTDL31 EDZO | EDDH | HAMBURG |
| EDVV | HANNOVER | |
| EDDF | FRANKFURT-MAIN | |
| EDDL | DUSSELDORF | |
| EDDK | KOLN-BONN | |
| EDDM | MUNICH | |
| EDDS | STUTTGART | |
| EDBB | BERLIN/TEMPELHOF | |
| FTDN21 EKCH | EKBI | BILLUND |
| EKYT | ALBORG | |
| FTEE31 LKPR | LKIB BRATISLAVA | |
| LKPR | PRAGUE | |
| ETBS | BERLIN/SCHONEFELD | |
| EPWA | WARSAW | |
| CYVR | VANCOUVER | |
| FTCN37 CYYZ | CYQG | WINDSOR |
| CYYZ | TORONTO | |
| FTCN38 CWHX | CYSU | SUMMERSIDE |
| CYZX | GREENWOOD | |
| CYAW | SHEARWATER | |
| FTCN39 CYYZ | CYTR | TRENTON |
| FTCO MCBO | MCBO | BOGOTA |
| MCBQ | BARRANQUILLA | |
| MCCG | CARTAGENA | |
| MCCL | CALI | |
| MCMD | MEDELLIN | |
| MCSP | SAN ANDRES | |
| FTCU MUHA | MUHA | HAVANA |
| MUVR | VARADERO | |
| MUCM | CAMAGUEY | |
| FTCV20 GVAC | GVAC | SAL ISLAND |
| FTCY31 LCLK | LCLK | LARNACA |
| FTDG20 MEZY | MEZY | ZANDERY |
| FTDL31 EDZO | EDDH | HAMBURG |
| EDVV | HANNOVER | |
| EDDF | FRANKFURT-MAIN | |
| EDDL | DUSSELDORF | |
| EDDK | KOLN-BONN | |
| EDDM | MUNICH | |
| EDDS | STUTTGART | |
| EDBB | BERLIN/TEMPELHOF | |
| FTDN21 EKCH | EKBI | BILLUND |
| EKYT | ALBORG | |
| FTEE31 LKPR | LKIB | BRATISLAVA |
| LKPR | PRAGUE | |
| ETBS | BERLIN/SCHONEFELD | |
| EPWA | WARSAW | |
| FTEE32 LKPR | ULLL | LENINGRAD |
| UUEE | MOSKOW/SHEREMETYEVO | |
| UUWW | MOSKOW/INT'L AGENCY | |
| FTEJ NFFN | NCRG | RAROTONGA |
| NFFN | NANDI | |
| FTEM31 LHBP | LHBP | BUDAPEST |
| LROP | BUCURESTI | |
| FTEN31 EKCH | EKCH | COPENHAGEN |
| ENFB | OSLO/FORNEBU | |
| FTEN32 EKCH | ESSA | STOCKHOLM/ARLANDA |
| EFHK | HELSINKI/VANTAA | |
| ESMS | MALMO | |
| ESGG | GOTEBORG/LANDVETTER | |
| FTEQ SEGU | SEGU | GUAYAQUIL |
| FTEQ SEQU | SEQU | QUITO |
| FTEW31 LEMM | LEMD | MADRID |
| GCLP | LAS PALMAS | |
| GCXO | TENERIFE | |
| LEBL | BARCELONA (SPAIN) | |
| LEPA | PALMA DE MALLORCA | |
| LEVC | VALENCIA | |
| FTFG20 MOOO | MOOO | CAYENNE |
| FTFI41 EFHK | EFHK | HELSINKI/VANTAA |
| EFTU | TURKU | |
| FTFM31 GMMC | GMMN | CASABLANCA |
| GMME | RABAT | |
| FTFR31 LFLF | LFPO | PARIS/ORLY |
| LFPG | PARIS/CHARLESDE GAULL | |
| LFPB | PARIS/LE BOURGET | |
| LFML | MARSEILLE | |
| LFMN | NICE | |
| FTFR LFLL | LFLL | LYON |
| FTGC DGAA | DGAA | ACCRA |
| FTGL31 BGSF | BGSF | SONDRE STROMFJORD |
| FTGL32 BGSF | BGTL | THULE |
| FTGM PGUA | PGUA | GUAM/ANDERSEN |
| FTGM PGUM | PGUM | GUAM/AGANA |
| FTGR31 LGAT | LGAT | ATHENS |
| LGRP | RODOS/PARADISI | |
| LGEL | ELEFSIS | |
| LGKR | KERKIRA | |
| LGAD | ANDRAVIDA | |
| LGIR | IRAKLION | |
| LGTS | THESSALONIKI | |
| FTHK20 VHHH | VHHH | HONG KONG |
| FTHW PMDY | PMDY | MIDWAY |
| WIIH | JAKARTA/HALIM | |
| FTIE31 EIDB | EIDW | DUBLIN |
| EINN | SHANNON | |
| FTIL31 BICC | BIAR | AKUREYRI |
| BIKF | KEFLAVIK | |
| BIRK | REYKJAVIK | |
| FTIR20 OIII | OIAA | ABADAN/INT'L |
| OIAS | SHIRAZ | |
| OIFF | ESFAHAN | |
| OIII | TEHRAN | |
| FTIS31 LLBG | LLBG | TEL AVIV |
| LLRD | HAIFA | |
| LLET | ELAT | |
| FTIV20 DIII | DIII | ABIDJAN |
| FTIY31 LIIB | LIRF | ROME/FIUMICINO |
| LIMJ | GENOA | |
| LIMF | TURIN | |
| LIRP | PISA | |
| LIMM | MILAN/LINATE | |
| LIMC | MILAN/MALPENSA | |
| FTIY31 LIMM | LIMF | TURIN |
| LIMM | MILAN/LINATE | |
| LIMJ | GENOA | |
| LIMC | MILAN/MALPENSA | |
| FTIY LIRA | LIRA | ROME/CIAMPINO |
| FTIY LIRN | LIRN | NAPLES |
| FTIY LIRP | LIRP | PISA |
| FTJP30 RJTD | ROAH | NAHA |
| RJTT | TOKYO | |
| RJFF | FUKUOKA | |
| RJFK | KOGOSHIMA | |
| RJNN | NAGOYA | |
| XJCC | CHITOSE | |
| RJOO | OSAKA | |
| FTJP69 RJTZ | RJOI | IWAKUNI |
| RJTY | YOKOTA | |
| RODN | KADENA AB | |
| FTK069 RJTZ | RKJJ | KWANGJU |
| RKJK | KUNSAN | |
| RKNH | HEONGSUNG | |
| RKPP | BITSAN | |
| RKPS | SACHON | |
| RKSO | QSAN | |
| RKSS | SEOUL | |
| RKSW | SUWON | |
| RKTD | TAEJON | |
| RKTN | TAEGU | |
| FTLI20 GLRB | GLRB | MONROVIA |
| FTMX MMMX | MMAA | ACAPULCO |
| MMGL | GUADALAJARA | |
| MMMD | MERIDA | |
| MMMX | MEXICO CITY | |
| MMMY | MONTERREY | |
| MMPR | PUERTO VALLARTA | |
| FTMXl MMMX | MEX | MEXICO CITY |
| GDL | GUADALAJARA | |
| ACA | ACAPULCO | |
| MTY | MONTERREY | |
| VER | VERACRUZ | |
| MID | MERIDA | |
| FTMX2 MMMX | TIJ | TIJUANA |
| MXL | MEXICALI | |
| CJS | CIUDAD JUAREZ | |
| CUU | CHIHUAHUA | |
| FTMX3 MMMX | PVR | PUERTO VALLARTA |
| HMO | HERMOSILLO | |
| LAP | LA PAZ(MEXICO) | |
| MZT | MAZATLAN | |
| SJD | SAN JOSE DEL CABO | |
| CEN | CIUDAD OBREGON | |
| FTMX4 MMMX | NLD | NUEVO LAREDO |
| MAM | MATAMOROS | |
| TAM | TAMPICO | |
| CUN | CANCUN | |
| CZM | COZUMEL | |
| TAP | TAPACHULA | |
| FTNC20 NWWB | NWWW | NOUMEA/LA TONTOUTA |
| FTNL31 EHAM | EHAM | AMSTERDAM |
| FTNL45 EHAM | EHRD | ROTTERDAM |
| FTNO21 ENMI | ENFB | OSLO/FORNEBU |
| ENGM | OLSO/GARDERMOEN | |
| ENZV | STAVANGER | |
| ENBO | BODO | |
| ENAN | ANDOYA | |
| ENBR | BERGEN | |
| FTNZ NZAK | NZAA | AUCKLAND |
| NZCH | CHRISTCHURCH | |
| NZWN | WELLINGTON | |
| FTOF NTTT | NTTT | TAHITI |
| NTTB | BORA BORA | |
| NTTG | RANGIROA | |
| FTOS31 | LOWM LOWW WIEN | |
| FTPA7 | KAWN RKPK KIMHAE | |
| FTPA31 | PHNL PHNL HONOLULU | |
| PHOG | KAHULUI | |
| PWAK | WAKE ISLAND | |
| PHTO | HILO | |
| PJON | JOHNSTON ISLAND | |
| NSTU | PAGO PAGO | |
| PKMJ | MAJURO | |
| NSFA | FALEOLO/INT'L | |
| FTPH RPMB | RPMB | CUBI POINT |
| FTPH RPMK | RPMK | CLARK AB |
| FTPH RPMM | RPMM | MANILLA |
| RPMT | LAPU LAPU | |
| FTPM MBHO | MBHO | HOWARD AFB |
| MPTO | PANAMA CITY | |
| FTPM MPTO | MPTO | PANAMA CITY |
| FTPN PGUM | PGUM | GUAM/AGANA |
| PGSN | SAIPAN | |
| PTKK | TRUK | |
| PTPN | PONAPE | |
| PTRO | KOROR | |
| PTYA | YAP | |
| FTPO LPPT | LPPT | LISBON |
| LPPR | OPORTO | |
| LPFR | FARO | |
| FTPY SGAS | SGAS | ASUNCION |
| FTSA20 MKPP | MLTM | GEORGETOWN(GUAYANA) |
| MEZY | ZANDERY | |
| MOOO | CAYENNE | |
| FTSA SPIM | SEGU | GUAYAQUIL |
| SPYL | TALARA | |
| SPHI | CHICLAYO | |
| SPRU | TRUJILLO | |
| SPIM | LIMA | |
| SPSO | PISCO | |
| SPQU | AREQUIPA | |
| SPQT | IQUITOS | |
| SCAR | ARICA | |
| FTSAl MLTM | MLTM | GEORGETOWN(GUAYANA) |
| FTSG20 GOOO | GOOO | DAKAR |
| FTSL20 GFLL | GFLL | FREETOWN |
| FTSN41 ESWI | ESSA | STOCKHOLM/ARLANDA |
| ESSB | STOCKHOLM/BROMMA | |
| ESMS | MALMO | |
| ESGG | GOTEBORG/LANDVETTER | |
| FTSP LEMM | LEMG | MALAGA |
| LEZG | ZARAGOZA | |
| LEZL | SEVILLE | |
| LEPA | PALMA DE MALLORCA | |
| FTSW31 LSZW | LSZH | ZURICH |
| LSGG | GENEVA | |
| LFSB | BASEL | |
| FTTU31 LTBA | LTBA | ISTANBUL |
| FTUK31 EGGY | EGLL | LONDON/HEATHROW |
| EGSS | STANSTED | |
| EGKK | LONDON/GATWICK | |
| EGCC | MANCHESTER | |
| EGPK | PRESTWICK | |
| FTUS31 KALB | KBTV | BURLINGTON |
| FTUS31 KARB | KDTW | DETROIT |
| FTUS31 KATL | KATL | ATLANTA |
| KSAV | SAVANNAH | |
| FTUS31 KBOS | KBOS | BOSTON |
| KBDL | WINDSOR LOCKS | |
| FTUS31 KBUF | KBUF | BUFFALO |
| KSYR | SYRACUSE | |
| FTUS31 KCAE | KCHS | CHARLESTON |
| FTUS31 KCHI | KORD | CHICAGO |
| FTUS31 KCLE | KCLE | CLEVELAND |
| FTUS31 KDCA | KIAD | WASHINGTON |
| KBWI | BALTIMORE | |
| FTUS31 KFTW | KDFW | DALLAS/FORT WO |
| FTUS31 KIND | KIND | INDIANAPOLIS |
| FTUS31 KJFK | KJFK | NEW YORK |
| KEWR | NEWARK | |
| FTUS31 KLAX | KLAX | LOS ANGELES |
| KONT | ONTARIO | |
| KPMD | PALMDALE | |
| KSAN | SAN DIEGO | |
| FTUS31 KMIA | KMIA | MIAMI |
| KPBI | WESTPALM BEACH | |
| KTPA | TAMPA | |
| KJAX | JACKSONVILLE | |
| FTUS31 KMKE | KMKE | MILWAUKEE |
| FTUS31 KMSP | KMSP | MINNEAPOLIS |
| FTUS31 KNEW | KMSY | NEW ORLEANS |
| FTUS31 KOKC | KOKC | OKLAHOMA CITY |
| FTUS31 KPDX | KPDX | PORTLAND |
| FTUS31 KPHL | KPHL | PHILADELPHIA |
| FTUS31 KPIT | KPIT | PITTSBURGH |
| FTUS31 KPWM | KBGR | BANGOR |
| FTUS31 KRNO | KLAS | LAS VEGAS |
| FTUS31 KSAT | KSAT | SAN ANTONIO |
| KIAH | HOUSTON | |
| FTUS31 KSEA | KSEA | SEATTLE/SEATTLE-TACOMA |
| KGEG | SPOKANE | |
| KBFI | SEATTLE/KING COUNTY | |
| FTUS31 KSFO | KFAT | FRESNO |
| KOAK | OAKLAND | |
| KSFO | SAN FRANCISCO | |
| KSCK | STOCKTON | |
| KSMF | SACRAMENTO | |
| FTUS31 KSTL | KSTL | ST. LOUIS |
| FTUY SUMU | SUMU | MONTEVIDEO |
| FTVN MVMI | MVBC | BARCELONA (VENEZUELA) |
| MVMC | MARACAIBO | |
| MVMI | CARACAS | |
| MVMT | MATURIN | |
| FTXX50 KAWN | PHNA | BARBERS POINT |
| PHSF | BRADSHAW FIELD, HI | |
| FTYG31 LYBE | LYBE | BEOGRAD |
| LYZA | ZAGREB | |
| FTZA42 FAJS | FAJS | JOHANNESBURG |
The body of each Mexican terminal forecast is broken into as many time groups as necessary to cover the period of the forecast. Each group includes, in the following order, wind, visibility, weather, clouds, and remarks.
Wind is usually a four-digit figure. The first two digits are the true direction of the wind, while the last two are wind speed in knots. The letter "C" means a calm wint, while "LGT/VRBL" means a light and variable wind. Forecasts of gusts may be shown using a solidus (1215/20 means winds from 120E at 15 knots, 8usting to 20 knots) or the abbreviation "GST" (3410 GST20 means winds from 340E at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots).
Visibility is in statute miles. The contraction "MI" (miles) may be included with a restriction to visibility, when the visibility is forecast to be less than 7 miles.
Weather (including restriction to visibility) may be given directly after the visibility or may be included in the remarks section. Standard abbreviations (GF, RW, etc.) may be used, although modifiers ( --, -, +) are not included. Weather may also be shown using nonstandard but usually obvious contractions, usually of English words. Some of these contractions are:
AFTR = after
ARND = around (nearby)
BTWN = between (used with time: ISLTD CBS BTWN 22/OlZ)
CBS - cumulonimbus
DSPTNG = dissipating
FW = few
GRNDFG - ground fog
HVYCU = heavy cumulus (cumulus congestus)
HZE = haze
ISLTD = isolated
OCMT = occasional (may be given as: OCNL)
RN = rain
TMT = thunderstorm (may be given as: TMS or RWTMS)
XCPT = except
ZERO FOG ZERO OBSC = WOXOF
Clouds are forecast separately for each layer (no summation) in the form NsCC(CC)hshs, where Ns is the amount of clouds in the layer in octas; CC is the standard two-letter abbreviation for the cloud genus (more than one cloud type may be forecast for an individual layer); h8 is the forecast height of the cloud layer in hundreds of feet above the aerodrome Iand will be either a two-digit number (for heights below 10,000 feet) or a three-digit number (for heights 10,000 feet or above), except heights are not forecast for cirroform clouds. Variable amounts of clouds may be shown in several different ways. Two examples are:
3 OCNLY5SCCU30 - (3/8 occasionally 5/8 stratocumulus and cumulus, bases 3000 feet above the ground)
4/6ST12 - (4/8 variable to 6/8 stratus, bases 1200 feet above the ground)
You can get individual Mexican terminal forecasts by using the "RQ" method as described in FAA Handbook 7110.10D. Ask for the station's FT (e.g., RQ ACA FT). If you want the entire bullentin, then use the "RC" method which is also described in 7110.10D. Mexican terminal forecasts for the stations following have a modified "FT" format somewhat similar to United States' FT's.
| City | Request | City | Request | ||||
| Acapulco | ACA | FTMXl | MMMX | Merida | MID | FTMXl | MMMX |
| Cancun | CUN | FTMX4 | MMMX | Mexicali | MXL | FTMX2 | MMMX |
| Chihuaha | CUU | FTMX2 | MMMX | Mexico City | MEX | FTMXl | MMMX |
| Ciudad Juarez | CJS | FTMX2 | MMMX | Monterrey | MTY | FTMXl | MMMX |
| Ciudad Obregon | CEN | FTMX3 | MMMX | Nuevo Laredo | NLD | FTMX4 | MMMX |
| Cozumel | CZM | FTMX4 | MMMX | Puerto Vallarta | PVR | FTMX3 | MMMX |
| Guadalajara | GDL | FTMXl | MMMX | Tampico | TAM | FTMX4 | MMMX |
| Hermosillo | HMO | FTMX3 | MMMX | Tapachula | TAP | FTMX4 | MMMX |
| La Paz | LAP | FTMX3 | MMMX | Tijuana | TIJ | FTMX2 | MMMX |
| Matamoros | MAM | FTMX4 | MMMX | Veracruz | VER | FTMXl | MMMX |
| Mazatlan | MZT | FTMX3 | MMMX | ||||
TAF's in "TAF Code" are available only for the following terminals by city, by requesting bulletin FTMX MMMX, using the "RC" method.
| Acapulco (MMAA) | Mexico City (MMMX) |
| Guadalajara (MMGL) | Monterrey (MMMY) |
| Merida (MMMD) | Puerto Vallarta (MMPR) |
There are 23 plain language significant weather bulletins, 4 of which are winds and temperatures only, available through request/reply procedures
from the WMSC. Here are the bulletin headings and descriptions. Maps
following the descriptions show the area included in each bulletin.
There are some areas where bulletins overlap. In most cases the area of overlap is relatively small.
FABZ SBBR - 24-hour significant weather forecast (850-150 mb) with
winds and temperatures for 700, 500, 250, and 200 mb for
the Brasilia Area Forecast Center (AFC) area.
FACA KMIA - 12-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-400 mb) plus
outlook for next 12-hour period.
FACA MBHO - 24-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-150 mb) with
winds and temperatures (up to 40 thousand feet).
FACAl MHTG - 24-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-150 mb) with winds and temperatures (up to 40 thousand feet).
FACA MMMX - 24-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-150 mb) with winds and temperatures (up to 35 thousand feet).
FACO MCBO - 24-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-150 mb) with winds and temperatures (up to 40 thousand feet).
FANTl KWBC - Significant weather forecast valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18Z (400-70 mb).
FANT2 KWBC - 12-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-400 mb) plus outlook for next 12-hour period.
FAPAl KWBC - Significant weather forecast valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18Z (400-150 mb).
FAPR SPIM - 24-hour significant weather forecast with winds and temperatures (up to 40 thousand feet).
FAVN MVMI - 24-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-150 mb) with winds and temperatures (up to 40 thousand feet).
FASA MKPP - 24-hour significant weather forecast (sfc-150 mb) with winds and temperatures (up to 40 thousand feet).
FBAG20/21 SABM - 24-hour significant weather forecast (850-150 mb) with winds and temperatures for 300, 500, and 200 mb.
FBBZ SBBR - 24-hour significant weather forecast (850-150 mb) with winds and temperatures for 700, 500, 400, and 200 mb for the Brasilia Area Forecast Center (AFC) area.
FBBZ SBGL - 24-hour significant weather forecast (850-150 mb) with winds and temperatures for 500, 300, and 200 mb for the Brasilia Area Forecast Center (AFC) area.
*FBPSl NFFN - Winds and temperatures (500, 300, 250, and 200 mb) for the area between 160E and 175W and between Equator and 25S. Forecasts valid for 00Z issued at 10Z with update valid for 06Z issued at 16Z; forecasts valid for 12Z issued at 22Z with update valid for 18Z issued at 04Z.
*FBPS2 NFFN - Winds and temperatures (500, 300, 250, and 200 mb) for the areabetween 175W and 150W and between Equator and 25S. Same issuance, validity and update times as FBPSl NFFN.
*FBPS14 NFFN - Significant weather above FL240 for same area, issuance, validity and update times as FBPSl NFFN.
*FBPS15 NFFN - Significant weather above FL240 for same area, issuance, validity and update times as FBPS2 NFFN.
*FBPS3 NZAK - Winds and temperatures (500, 300, 250, and 200 mb) for an area generally between 150E and 180, and between 25S and 45S.
*FBPS4 NZAK - Winds and temperatures (500, 300, 250, and 200 mb) for an area generally between 175E and 160W and between 25S and 45S.
*FBPS5 NZAK - Plain language significant weather forecast above 400 mb, issued 00, 06, 12, and I8Z for specific areas/routes, as described in the bulletins, within the boundaries of FBPS3 NZAK and FBPS4 NZAK.
FUCAl KWBC - Significant weather forecast valid at 00, 06, 12, and 18Z (400-150 mb).
FUNT5 KWBC - Significant weather forecast valid at 06Z (400-150 mb).
FUUS4 KWBC - 18-hour significant weather forecast valid at 06 and 18Z; 24-hour significant weather forecast valid at 00 and 12Z (400-70 mb).
FUUS20 KWBC - 18-hour significant weather forecast valid at 18Z (400-70 mb).
NOTES:
(1) Route forecasts are not listed.
(2) Bulletins marked with asterisk(*) not stored at WMSC.
file:///c:noaafinal/book2/de3.gif
ARMET bulletins contain winds and temperatures at specified points, called grid points, at a number of standard isobaric levels. An ARMET message is always identified by the word ARMET. /the grid points are shown by latitude and longitude, using the format QLaLaLoLo. Q is the octant of the globe (0 is Northern Hemisphere, Oo- 89oW; 1 is Northern Hemisphere, 90oW-179oW; 2 is Northern Hemisphere, 180o-91oE; 5 is Southern Hemisphere, 0o-89oW). LaLa is latitude in whole degrees; LoLo is longitude in whole degrees, except the hundreds digit is omitted for longitudes 100oW through 180o to 100oE.
Within the body of the forecast, winds and temperatures are shown using the format ddfffTT. dd uis the true wind direction, to the nearest 10 degrees, and fff is the windpseed in whole knots, except windspeeds less than 5 knots are shown as 99000. TT is the temperature in whole Celsius degrees. If the temperature is positive, there's a blank space between windpseed and temperature. If the temperature is negative, there's an "M" between the windspeed and temperature.
The bulletins stored at the WMSC are in pairs. For each area shown in the maps following the descriptions there's one bulletin that's an 18-hour prog, valid at 06 and 18Z, and one bulletin that's a 24 hour prog, valid at 00 and 12Z. Here are the bulletins, showing valid times and forecast levels:
18 hour progs (VT 06 & 18Z) 24-hour Progs (VT 00 & 12Z) Levels (mb)
| FBPAl KWBC | FBPA2 KWBC | 850, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200 |
| FDCAl KWBC | FDCA2 KWRC | 300, 250, 200, 150, 100 |
| FDCA3 KWBC | FDCA4 KWBC | 850, 700, 500, 400 |
| FDCA5 KWBC | FDCA6 KWBC | 700, 500, 400 |
| FDUS4 KWBC | FDUS5 KWBC | 300, 250, 200, 150, 100 |
| FDUS6 KWBC | FDUS7 KWBC | 700, 500, 400 |
| FUNA9 KWBC | FUNA10 KWBC | 200, 150 (+ TROP HT ) |
| FUNTl KWBC | FUNT2 KWBC | 300, 250, 200 |
| FUNT3 KWBC | FUNT4 KWBC | 300, 250, 200 |
| FUNT7 KWBC | FUNT8 KWBC | 300, 250, 200 |
| FUNT11 KWBC | FUNT12 KWBC | 300, 200 |
| FUNT13 KWBC | FUNT14 KWBC | 700, 500, 400 |
| FUNT15 KWBC | FUNT16 KYBC | 700, 500, 400 |
| FUNT25 KWBC | FUNT26 KYBC | 300, 200, 150, 100 |
| FUNT27 KWBC | FUNT28 KYBC | 300, 200, 150, 100 |
| FUPAl KW8C | FUPA2 KWBC | 850, 700, 500, 300, 200 |
| FUPNl KWBC | FUPN8 KWBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN2 KWBC | FUPN9 KYBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN3 KWBC | FUPN10 KWBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN4 KWBC | FUPN11l KWBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN5 KWBC | FUPN12 KWBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN6 KWBC | FUPN13 KWBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN7 KWBC | FUPN14 KWBC | 700, 500, 300, 250, 200 |
| FUPN15 KWBC | FUPN16 KWBC | 200, 150 (I TROP HT ) |
There are a number of points where bulletin areas overlap . Overlap areas are hatched or shovn by clrcles on the maps.
